期刊名称:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
印刷版ISSN:0027-8424
电子版ISSN:1091-6490
出版年度:1992
卷号:89
期号:24
页码:11886-11890
DOI:10.1073/pnas.89.24.11886
语种:English
出版社:The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
摘要:Twenty cDNA clones derived from beta-chain-encoding class II genes of the zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have been sequenced. They fall into three groups identifying three loci of expressed genes. The length and organization of these genes are similar to those of their mammalian homologs. Amplification by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of genomic DNA from zebrafish collected at different locations in India indicate the existence of a fourth group of sequences (fourth locus). A high degree of polymorphism at the B. rerio MHC loci and concentration of variability to the putative peptide-binding region of the beta 1-domain-encoding part of the gene are also indicated. Large genetic distances between alleles suggest trans-specific evolution of fish MHC polymorphism. Zebrafish genes appear to be derived from a different ancestor than the various class II gene families of other vertebrates. In spite of great sequence divergence between fish and mammalian MHC genes, there seems to be a striking conservation in their overall organization.