Polymorphism of DAB genes and variation in parasite species diversity in European populations of chub (Leuciscus cephalus)
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| Year of publication | 2008 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
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| Description | The polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes was investigated in relation to parasitism in several populations of chub (Leuciscus cephalus) from different European rivers. The MHC genes are the most polymorphic loci known for vertebrates, whereas tree possible hypotheses of parasite-mediated selection driving an extensive MHC diversity (i.e. overdominance hypothesis, frequency dependent selection hypothesis and hypothesis of optimal number of MHC alleles) have been proposed. Hence, these genes are convenient model for elucidating the host-parasite relationships. It has been predicted that the populations with more genetic variability of MHC will have more diverse array of parasites. The antigens derived from parasites (possible important selective agents) interact with peptide binding region of MHC II molecules, on that account the present study was focused on genetic variability of the exon 2 (DAB1 and DAB3 genes), which encodes the beta 1 domain of the peptide binding region. Considering that the selectively neutral processes (genetic drift) should also contribute to MHC polymorphism, 20 microsatellite loci were analyzed as a neutral marker. The observed metazoan parasite diversity and similarity among chub populations based on the parasite data using qualitative Jaccard index and quantitative Morisita index were compared with genetic diversity of exon 2, microsatellites and geographic distances among fish populations. This study was funded by the by Research Project of the Masaryk University, Brno, Project No.: 0021 622 416 and by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, Project No. 524/07/0188. |
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