title: A quick and robust MHC typing method for free-ranging and captive primate species.
abstract: Gene products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of human and non-human primates play a crucial role in adaptive immunity, and most of the relevant genes not only show a high degree of variability (polymorphism) but also copy number variation (CNV) is observed. Due to this diversity, MHC proteins influence the capability of individuals to cope with various pathogens. MHC and/or MHC-linked gene products such as odorant receptor genes are thought to influence mate choice and reproductive success. Therefore, MHC typing of wild and captive primate populations is considered to be useful in conservation biology, which is, however, often hampered by the need of invasive and time-consuming methods. All intact Mhc-DRB genes in primates appear to possess a complex and highly divergent microsatellite, DRB-STR. A panel of 154 pedigreed olive baboons (Papio anubis) was examined for their DRB content by DRB-STR analysis of genomic DNA. Using the same methodology on DNA of feces samples, DRB variability of a silvery gibbon population (Hylobates moloch) (N = 24), an endangered species, could successfully be studied. In both species, length determination of the DRB-STR resulted in the definition of unique genotyping patterns that appeared to be specific for a certain chromosome. Moreover, the different STR lengths were shown to segregate with the allelic variation of the respective gene. The results obtained expand data gained previously on DRB-STR typing in macaques, great apes, and humans and strengthen the conclusion that this protocol is applicable in molecular ecology, conservation biology, and colony management, especially of endangered primate species.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.affiliation: Writtle College, Essex University, Lordship Road, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RR, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stanbury
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A J M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: de Vos-Rouweler
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM) UMR1064, Institut de Transplantation-Urologie-Nephrologie (ITUN), 30 Bd Jean Monnet, 44093, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Poirier
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM) UMR1064, Institut de Transplantation-Urologie-Nephrologie (ITUN), 30 Bd Jean Monnet, 44093, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blancho
authors.affiliation: Writtle College, Essex University, Lordship Road, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RR, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Luna
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands. doxiadis@bprc.nl.
authors.forename: G G M
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Doxiadis
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.|Department of Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Bontrop
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D056915:DNA Copy Number Variations / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011323:Primates / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*
keywords: Conservation biology; MHC; Microsatellites; Pre-clinical research; Primates