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Related Experiment Videos

Alu elements of the primate major histocompatibility complex

M Mnuková-Fajdelová1, Y Satta, C O'hUigin

  • 1Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie, Abteilung Immungenetik, Tübingen, Germany.

Mammalian Genome : Official Journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society
|July 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Alu elements, repetitive DNA sequences, act as markers to trace the evolution of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in humans and primates. These elements reveal steady insertion over millions of years, aiding in understanding MHC genetic history.

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The evolution of MHC class II genes.

Immunology today·2014

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Genetics

Background:

  • The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has a complex evolutionary history that is challenging to study.
  • Alu elements, a type of repetitive DNA, can serve as valuable markers for investigating chromosomal rearrangements and evolutionary pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify Alu elements within MHC haplotypes of humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees.
  • To utilize these elements as evolutionary markers for deciphering MHC evolution.
  • To investigate the evolutionary relationship between human DRB1 and DRB2 genes.

Main Methods:

  • Hybridization of cosmid clone restriction fragments with Alu-specific probes.
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of Alu elements.

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  • Sequencing of amplified Alu elements and flanking regions.

    • Main Results:

    • Identified 31 new Alu elements from six Alu subfamilies in the primate MHC.
    • Determined an average Alu element density of one per 4 kb in the MHC.
    • Observed steady Alu element insertion into the primate MHC over the last 65 million years, averaging one insertion every 4 million years.
    • Analysis of the human DR3 haplotype suggests duplication from an ancestral haplotype containing DRB1 and DRB2 genes.
    • Shared Alu elements between DRB1 and DRB2 genes indicate divergence from a common ancestor over 55 million years ago.

    Conclusions:

    • Alu elements are effective markers for tracing the complex evolution of the primate MHC.
    • The findings support a model of MHC evolution involving gene duplication and divergence, evidenced by shared Alu elements.
    • This study provides insights into the ancient evolutionary history of the MHC and primate genomes.