Characterisation of major histocompatibility complex class I transcripts in an Australian dragon lizard

Area of Science:

• Immunogenetics
• Molecular Evolution
• Herpetology

Background:

• Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are critical for immune responses but are understudied in squamates.
• MHC molecules present peptides to T cells, playing a vital role in pathogen recognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize MHC class I transcripts in the agamid lizard Ctenophorus decresii.
• To investigate the evolutionary patterns of MHC class I in Iguanian lizards.

Main Methods:

• Iterative assembly strategy to identify full-length MHC class I transcripts.
• Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of Iguanian MHC class I sequences.

Main Results:

• Six full-length C. decresii MHC class I transcripts were identified and validated.
• Evidence of exon shuffling recombination was found in C. decresii transcripts.
• Phylogenetic analysis supports a birth-and-death model of MHC evolution in Iguanian lizards.

Conclusions:

• This study provides a foundational characterization of agamid MHC class I.
• The findings contribute to understanding lizard immune system evolution and pave the way for future research.