Genetic variation and selection in the major histocompatibility complex Class II gene in the Guizhou pony

The Guizhou pony (GZP) is an indigenous species of equid found in the mountains of the Guizhou province in southwest China. We selected four regions of the equine leukocyte antigen (ELA), including DQA, DRA, DQB, and DRB, and used them to assess the diversity of the major histocompatibility complex...

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Main Authors: Chang Liu, Hongmei Lei, Xueqin Ran, Jiafu Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PeerJ Inc. 2020-09-01
Series:PeerJ
Subjects:
Online Access:https://peerj.com/articles/9889.pdf
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author Chang Liu
Hongmei Lei
Xueqin Ran
Jiafu Wang
author_facet Chang Liu
Hongmei Lei
Xueqin Ran
Jiafu Wang
author_sort Chang Liu
collection DOAJ
description The Guizhou pony (GZP) is an indigenous species of equid found in the mountains of the Guizhou province in southwest China. We selected four regions of the equine leukocyte antigen (ELA), including DQA, DRA, DQB, and DRB, and used them to assess the diversity of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene using direct sequencing technology. DRA had the lowest dN/dS ratio (0.560) compared with the other three loci, indicating that DRA was conserved and could be conserved after undergoing selective processes. Nine DQA, five DQB, nine DRA, and seven DRB codons were under significant positive selection at the antigen binding sites (ABS), suggesting that the selected residues in ABS may play a significant role in the innate immune system of the GZP. Two GZP alleles were shared with Przewalski’s horse, and six older GZP haplotypes had a better relationship with other horse species by one or two mutational steps, indicating that the GZP may be a natural ancient variety of equid. The specific diversity of ABS and the numbers of unique haplotypes in the evolutionary process affords this species a better genetic fitness and ability to adapt to the native environment.
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spelling doaj.art-b102ef36959646e383200d2bf0df8cff2023-12-03T10:05:42ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592020-09-018e988910.7717/peerj.9889Genetic variation and selection in the major histocompatibility complex Class II gene in the Guizhou ponyChang Liu0Hongmei Lei1Xueqin Ran2Jiafu Wang3College of Animal Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, ChinaCollege of Animal Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, ChinaCollege of Animal Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, ChinaCollege of Animal Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, ChinaThe Guizhou pony (GZP) is an indigenous species of equid found in the mountains of the Guizhou province in southwest China. We selected four regions of the equine leukocyte antigen (ELA), including DQA, DRA, DQB, and DRB, and used them to assess the diversity of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene using direct sequencing technology. DRA had the lowest dN/dS ratio (0.560) compared with the other three loci, indicating that DRA was conserved and could be conserved after undergoing selective processes. Nine DQA, five DQB, nine DRA, and seven DRB codons were under significant positive selection at the antigen binding sites (ABS), suggesting that the selected residues in ABS may play a significant role in the innate immune system of the GZP. Two GZP alleles were shared with Przewalski’s horse, and six older GZP haplotypes had a better relationship with other horse species by one or two mutational steps, indicating that the GZP may be a natural ancient variety of equid. The specific diversity of ABS and the numbers of unique haplotypes in the evolutionary process affords this species a better genetic fitness and ability to adapt to the native environment.https://peerj.com/articles/9889.pdfGuizhou ponyMHCAntigen binding sitesEvolution processAdaptation
spellingShingle Chang Liu
Hongmei Lei
Xueqin Ran
Jiafu Wang
Genetic variation and selection in the major histocompatibility complex Class II gene in the Guizhou pony
PeerJ
Guizhou pony
MHC
Antigen binding sites
Evolution process
Adaptation
title Genetic variation and selection in the major histocompatibility complex Class II gene in the Guizhou pony
title_full Genetic variation and selection in the major histocompatibility complex Class II gene in the Guizhou pony
title_fullStr Genetic variation and selection in the major histocompatibility complex Class II gene in the Guizhou pony
title_full_unstemmed Genetic variation and selection in the major histocompatibility complex Class II gene in the Guizhou pony
title_short Genetic variation and selection in the major histocompatibility complex Class II gene in the Guizhou pony
title_sort genetic variation and selection in the major histocompatibility complex class ii gene in the guizhou pony
topic Guizhou pony
MHC
Antigen binding sites
Evolution process
Adaptation
url https://peerj.com/articles/9889.pdf
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