Zeng Wang, Xiaoping Zhou, Qingxian Lin,

Wenzhen Fang, Xiaolin Chen.Wang WQ.Plos One, 2013. 8(9): e74185.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is an excellent

molecular marker for the studies of evolutionary ecologyand conservation

genetics because it is a family of highly polymorphic genes that play a key

role in vertebrateimmune response. In this study, the functional genes of MHC

Class II B (DAB) were isolated for the first time in avulnerable species, the

Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes).

Using a full length DNA and cDNA produced by PCRand RACE methods, four

potential MHC DAB loci were characterized in the genome of this egret and all

four wereexpressed in liver and blood. At least four copies of the MHC gene

complex were similar to two copies of the minimalessential MHC complex of

chicken, but are less complex than the multiple copies expressed in passerine

species. InMHC polymorphism, 19 alleles of exon 2 were isolated from 48

individuals using PCR. No stop codons or frameshiftmutations were found in any

of the coding regions. The signatures of positive selection detected in

potential peptidebindingregions by Bayesian analysis, suggesting that all of

these genes were functional. These data will provide thefundamental basis for

further studies to elucidate the mechanisms and significance of MHC molecular

adaptation invulnerable Chinese egret and other ardeids.

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