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Polymorphisms of the equine major histocompatibility complex class II DRA locus
J J Brown1, W Thomson, P Clegg
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, South Wirral, UK. jason.brown@man.ac.uk
Tissue Antigens
|July 13, 2004
Summary
The study identified eleven Equus latem arvalis-DR alpha (ELA-DRA) alleles, revealing unique genetic polymorphism within the Equus genus. These findings highlight species-specific allele distributions across horses, donkeys, and zebras.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Comparative Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The polymorphism of Equus latem arvalis-DR alpha (ELA-DRA) in Equidae is not fully understood.
- Previous studies suggested differences in DRA polymorphism between Equidae and other species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively characterize ELA-DRA in Equidae.
- To determine the extent of ELA-DRA gene polymorphism.
- To establish the allele-frequency distribution within the Equus genus.
Main Methods:
- Sequence-based typing of 69 equine DNA samples (horses, donkeys, zebras, onager) to establish an ELA-DRA allele reference panel.
- Screening of 565 equine DNA samples using reference-strand-mediated conformation analysis (RSCA).
Main Results:
- Five previously reported ELA-DRA alleles were identified.
- Five novel ELA-DRA alleles were discovered: ELA-DRA*JBH11 (E. caballus), ELA-DRA*JBZ185 (E. boehmi, E. hemionus), and three in E. asinus (ELA-DRA*JBD3, ELA-DRA*JBD17, ELA-DRA*JBH45).
- A total of at least 11 ELA-DRA alleles are now known, with a species-specific distribution.
Conclusions:
- The genus Equus exhibits a unique and extensive level of polymorphism at the DRA locus.
- The characterized ELA-DRA alleles and their frequencies provide a valuable resource for future immunogenetic studies in equids.