Title

Nature and Origin of Polymorphism in Feline MHC Class II DRA and DRB Genes

Authors

Naoya Yuhki, National Cancer Institute at Frederick
Stephen J. O'Brien, National Cancer Institute at FrederickFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-15-1997

Publication Title

Journal of Immunology

ISSN

0022-1767

Volume

158

Issue/No.

6

First Page

2822

Last Page

2833

Abstract

Transcripts of the MHC class II DRA and DRB gene homologues of the domestic cat (Felis catus) were cloned and sequenced to compare the pattern and process of DR gene divergence. Homologous DRB exon 2 sequences from 36 feral domestic cats throughout the world plus from three species of Felidae (tiger cat, Iriomote cat, and Geoffroy's cat) were also determined. Limited variation in the domestic cat Feca-DRA gene was observed, but abundant variation in the Feca-DRB gene was seen comprising 61 distinct DRB alleles. Phylogenetic analyses resolved at least five monophyletic feline DRB allelic lineages (DRB*1 to *5), which are clearly distinct from those of human (HLA-DRB1 to 9 lineages), mouse (H-2Eβ b, u, f), and dog DRB alleles. Approximately 80% of individual cats contained three to six distinct DRB sequences, indicating that feline MHC maintains two to three DRB loci. Five cats had three DRB sequences in a single allelic lineage, indicating the occurrence of recent gene duplication of feline DRB genes. DRB sequences isolated from three exotic cats demonstrated close association with a particular domestic cat DRB lineage, suggesting that these allelic lineages are derived from common ancestral alleles that existed prior to the divergence of these feline species about 10 to 15 million years ago. Patterns of synonymous and nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution rates that occurred in Ag recognition sites (ARS) and nonrecognition (NAR) sites demonstrated a strong role of natural selection-positive selection for Ag recognition sites and negative selection for nonrecognition sites of feline DRB sequences in the process of evolution of DR molecules.

Comments

© 1997 by American Association of Immunologists

NSUWorks Citation

Yuhki, Naoya and Stephen J. O'Brien. 1997. "Nature and Origin of Polymorphism in Feline MHC Class II DRA and DRB Genes." Journal of Immunology 158, (6): 2822-2833. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cnso_bio_facarticles/704

ORCID ID

0000-0001-7353-8301

ResearcherID

N-1726-2015