Review article
MHC class II genes– diversity and application in wildlife research
Miljenko Bujanić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Dean Konjević
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex genes (MHC) are among the most variable genes in vertebrates, and can be divided into class I and II genes. Regarding their significance for resistance/susceptibility to disease, two major hypotheses have been developed. One states that their relationships with pathogens are dependent on heterozygosity, suggesting that individuals expressing MHC homozygosity should be less resistant. Even though this hypothesis is supported by some studies, in others this was not confirmed. The other hypothesis claims that the presence of specific alleles, rather than heterozygosity, plays a major role in disease resistance/susceptibility. Research of this hypothesis also shows arguments for and against. In this paper we present some studies on MHC genes in wildlife and discuss their applicability in studying the relationships between pathogens and organisms.
Keywords
major histocompatibility complex genes; MHC; wildlife; disease
Hrčak ID:
231413
URI
Publication date:
5.10.2015.
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