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Passerine MHC: genetic variation and disease resistance in the wild

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Author

Summary, in English

The passerine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and IIB genes are different from those of the avian model species the chicken because passerines have (1) a larger number of MHC genes, (2) MHC genes with longer introns, and (3) MHC genes that are pseudo-genes. Most passerine MHC genes are transcribed (coding), extremely variable and subject to balancing selection. The high genetic diversity of the MHC genes of passerines is most likely maintained by selection from a large number of different pathogens. Association between MHC alleles and resistance to avian malaria infections have been reported in House Sparrows and Great Reed Warblers. Passerines are infected by a large number of different avian malaria infections. Therefore passerines and avian malaria is a study system that is well-suited to investigations of balancing selection and associations between MHC genes and disease resistance.

Publishing year

2007

Language

English

Pages

469-477

Publication/Series

Journal of Ornithology

Volume

148

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Springer

Topic

  • Biological Sciences

Keywords

  • MHC class I and class II
  • passerines
  • Avian
  • balancing selection
  • disease resistance
  • malaria

Status

Published

Project

  • Avian MHC genes

Research group

  • Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 2193-7206