scholarly journals Cape Feather Coloration Signals Different Genotypes of the Most Polymorphic MHC Locus in Male Golden Pheasants (Chrysolophus pictus)

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 276
Author(s):  
Hong-Yi Liu ◽  
Ke He ◽  
Yun-Fa Ge ◽  
Qiu-Hong Wan ◽  
Sheng-Guo Fang
Keyword(s):  
Major Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Mate Choice ◽  
Male Quality ◽  
Major Histocompatibility ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Feather Coloration ◽  
Genetic Level ◽  
Genetic Heterozygosity ◽  
Mhc Locus ◽  
The Relationship

Ornamental feather coloration is usually a reflection of male quality and plays an important role during courtship, whereas the essence of male quality at the genetic level is not well understood. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-based mate choice has been observed in various vertebrates. Here, we investigated the relationship between the coloration of cape feathers and the MHC genotypes in golden pheasants (Chrysolophus pictus). We found that feather coloration differed sharply among different individuals (brightness: 1827.20 ± 759.43, chroma: 1241.90 ± 468.21, hue: 0.46 ± 0.06). Heterozygous individuals at the most polymorphic MHC locus (IA2) had brighter feathers than homozygous individuals (Z = −2.853, p = 0.004) and were more saturated in color (Z = −2.853, p = 0.004). However, feather coloration was not related to other MHC loci or to overall genetic heterozygosity (p > 0.050). Our study suggested that coloration of cape feathers might signal IA2 genotypes in golden pheasants.

scholarly journals Major histocompatibility complex-associated odour preferences and human mate choice: near and far horizons

2020 ◽  
Vol 375 (1800) ◽  
pp. 20190260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Havlíček ◽  
Jamie Winternitz ◽  
S. Craig Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Major Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Mate Choice ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Mate Selection ◽  
Adaptive Immune System ◽  
Mate Preferences ◽  
Olfactory Communication ◽  
Major Histocompatibility ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Meta Analyses

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a core part of the adaptive immune system. As in other vertebrate taxa, it may also affect human chemical communication via odour-based mate preferences, with greater attraction towards MHC-dissimilar partners. However, despite some well-known findings, the available evidence is equivocal and made complicated by varied approaches to quantifying human mate choice. To address this, we here conduct comprehensive meta-analyses focusing on studies assessing: (i) genomic mate selection, (ii) relationship satisfaction, (iii) odour preference, and (iv) all studies combined. Analysis of genomic studies reveals no association between MHC-dissimilarity and mate choice in actual couples; however, MHC effects appear to be independent of the genomic background. The effect of MHC-dissimilarity on relationship satisfaction was not significant, and we found evidence for publication bias in studies on this area. There was also no significant association between MHC-dissimilarity and odour preferences. Finally, combining effect sizes from all genomic, relationship satisfaction, odour preference and previous mate choice studies into an overall estimate showed no overall significant effect of MHC-similarity on human mate selection. Based on these findings, we make a set of recommendations for future studies, focusing both on aspects that should be implemented immediately and those that lurk on the far horizon. We need larger samples with greater geographical and cultural diversity that control for genome-wide similarity. We also need more focus on mechanisms of MHC-associated odour preferences and on MHC-associated pregnancy loss. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Olfactory communication in humans’.

scholarly journals Major Histocompatibility Complex Dmα/β Genes and Their Expressional Diversity in Healthy and Diseased Water Buffalo Bubalus bubalis

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 505-519
Author(s):  
Leena Rawal ◽  
Deepak Panwar ◽  
Sher Ali
Keyword(s):  
Major Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Antigen Processing ◽  
Water Buffalo ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
Major Histocompatibility ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Mhc Locus

Background/Aims: The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) categorized into three (I, II and III) classes elicits the immunogenic response by presenting exogenous peptides to T cells. The MHC-II DM is composed of DMα and DMβ, two polypeptide chains, both are encoded by separate MHC genes involved in antigen processing and presentation. Despite the acknowledged role of MHC complex in humans, the literature is silent on the organization and expression of these genes in water buffalo Bubalus bubalis, an agriculturally important animal species. Methods: We deduced the full-length mRNA sequences of DMα and DMβ genes, localized them onto the chromosome 2, assessed their copy number per haploid genome and studied tissue and disease specific expression. Results: The Real Time PCR showed higher expression of both the genes and their seven interacting partners in spleen, gonads and spermatozoa. Significantly, upregulation of DMα and DMβ genes and their interacting partners were detected in diseased group of buffaloes as compared to that in healthy ones. Conclusion: The upregulation of Bubalus bubalis (BuLA)-DMα and DMβ genes and their interacting partners reflect their role in regulating immune responses towards the amelioration of diseases. Work on this line would enhance our understanding on the overall roles of MHC locus, allowing development of possible therapeutic treatment strategies.

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