The major histocompatibility complex of reindeer

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a system of closely linked genes showing an extremely high degree of polymorphism. These genes are major elements in the government of specific immune reactions. Consequently they may represent a genetic marker system well suited to investigate variabili...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Rangifer
Main Authors: I. Olsaker, K. H. Røed
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Septentrio Academic Publishing 1990
Subjects:
MHC
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.7557/2.10.3.881
https://doaj.org/article/829fcd10db94419fb47e1067abb0fe96
Description
Summary:The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a system of closely linked genes showing an extremely high degree of polymorphism. These genes are major elements in the government of specific immune reactions. Consequently they may represent a genetic marker system well suited to investigate variability in selective pressure from disease agents on different populations. On this background we have started investigation of the MHC complex in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L). The MHC complex consist of polymorphic regions as well as regions conserved during evolution which should allow the use of cross-species reagents. We have shown that human MHC gene probes hybridize with genomic DNA from reindeer, and thus can be used as a tool in reindeer MHC research. By RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis using these probes we have also been able to show polymorphism in MHC related genes from reindeer.