Development of MHC-Linked Microsatellite Markers in the Domestic Cat and Their Use to Evaluate MHC Diversity in Domestic Cats, Cheetahs, and Gir Lions

Authors

• Katrina M. Morris, University of Sydney - Australia
• Katherine Kirby, University of Sydney - Australia
• Julia A. Beatty, University of Sydney - Australia
• Vanessa R. Barrs, University of Sydney - Australia
• Sonia Cattley, University of Sydney - Australia
• Victor David, National Cancer Institute - Frederick
• Stephen J. O'Brien, Nova Southeastern University; St. Petersburg State University - RussiaFollow
• Marilyn Menotti-Raymond, National Cancer Institute at Frederick
• Katherine Belov, University of Sydney - Australia

ORCID

0000-0001-7353-8301

ResearcherID

N-1726-2015

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Heredity

ISSN

0022-1503

Publication Date

7-2014

Keywords

Acinonyx jubatus, Felis catus, Major histocompatibility complex, Panthera leo

Abstract

Diversity within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) reflects the immunological fitness of a population. MHC-linked microsatellite markers provide a simple and an inexpensive method for studying MHC diversity in large-scale studies. We have developed 6 MHC-linked microsatellite markers in the domestic cat and used these, in conjunction with 5 neutral microsatellites, to assess MHC diversity in domestic mixed breed (n = 129) and purebred Burmese (n = 61) cat populations in Australia. The MHC of outbred Australian cats is polymorphic (average allelic richness = 8.52), whereas the Burmese population has significantly lower MHC diversity (average allelic richness = 6.81; P < 0.01). The MHC-linked microsatellites along with MHC cloning and sequencing demonstrated moderate MHC diversity in cheetahs (n = 13) and extremely low diversity in Gir lions (n = 13). Our MHC-linked microsatellite markers have potential future use in diversity and disease studies in other populations and breeds of cats as well as in wild felid species.

DOI

10.1093/jhered/esu017

Volume

105

Issue

4

First Page

493

Last Page

505

Comments

©The American Genetic Association. 2014. All rights reserved.

Additional Comments

National Cancer Institute contract #: N01-CO-12400; Russian Ministry of Science grant #: 11.G34.31.0068

NSUWorks Citation

Morris, Katrina M.; Katherine Kirby; Julia A. Beatty; Vanessa R. Barrs; Sonia Cattley; Victor David; Stephen J. O'Brien; Marilyn Menotti-Raymond; and Katherine Belov. 2014. "Development of MHC-Linked Microsatellite Markers in the Domestic Cat and Their Use to Evaluate MHC Diversity in Domestic Cats, Cheetahs, and Gir Lions." Journal of Heredity 105, (4): 493-505. doi:10.1093/jhered/esu017.