engleski

Polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex DRB1, DQA1 AND DQB1 CLASS II genes in Golden Jackal

The genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are a key component of the mammalian immune system and have become important molecular markers for measuring fitness-related genetic diversity in wildlife populations. The golden jackal, although widely distributed in Europe, Asia and Africa, is one of the less studied carnivores in the world and investigations on the genetic structure of the European populations have only recently started. After suffering a decline in the first half of the 20th century, the European population has recovered and has been expanding since the early 1980s, with particular spread of the Balkan population northwards and westwards. The aim of this study was to examine allelic diversity at MHC class II DRB, DQA and DQB loci in the golden jackal from Croatian and Serbian populations. DNA was extracted from 57 individuals and using the cloning-sequencing method we investigated the genetic diversity of exon 2 of MHC class II DLA-DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 genes. We identified four DRB1, two DQA1 and two DQB1 alleles, which all encoded unique amino acid sequences. Among alleles identified three DRB1, oneDQA1 and both DQB1 alleles were new, not previously identified in any canid species. Relatively low number of alleles found was counterbalanced by high evolutionary distances among DQB1 and DRB1 alleles. Alleles combined to form five DLA-DRB1/DQA1/DQB1 haplotypes which showed geographic variation. Three-locus DLA-DRB1/DQA1/DQB1 haplotypes might be useful molecular tool to detect golden jackal - dog hybridization.

golden jackal ; Canis aureus ; major histocompatibility complex ; dog leucocyte antigen

nije evidentirano