Multiple major histocompatibility complex class I genes in Asian anurans: Ontogeny and phylogeny

• Published in: Developmental and comparative immunology Vol. 70; pp. 69 - 79
• Main Authors: Didinger, Chelsea, Eimes, John A., Lillie, Mette, Waldman, Bruce
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2017; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adults; Amphibian Proteins - genetics; Amphibian Proteins - metabolism; Amphibians; Animals; Anura - immunology; Anuran amphibians; Biological Evolution; Bufo gargarizans; Evolution, Molecular; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Genetics; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - genetics; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - metabolism; Immunity; Immunogenetics; Immunology; Korea; Larvae; Life Cycle Stages - genetics; Loci; Major histocompatibility complex; Major Histocompatibility Complex - genetics; Non-model species; Ontogeny; Pathogens; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; Physiochemistry; Reptiles & amphibians; Selection, Genetic; Supertypes; Terrestrial environments; Vertebrates; Immunogenetics; Anuran amphibians; Major histocompatibility complex; Supertypes; Non-model species
• ISSN: 0145-305X; 1879-0089; 1879-0089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2016.12.003

Amphibians, as the first terrestrial vertebrates, offer a window into early major histocompatibility complex (MHC) evolution. We characterized the MHC class I of two Korean amphibians, the Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans) and the Japanese tree frog (Hyla japonica). We found at least four transcribed MHC class I (MHC I) loci, the highest number confirmed in any anuran to date. Furthermore, we identified MHC I transcripts in terrestrial adults, and possibly in aquatic larvae, of both species. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on MHC I sequence data and found that B. gargarizans and H. japonica cluster together in the superfamily Nobleobatrachia. We further identified three supertypes shared by the two species. Our results reveal substantial variation in the number of MHC I loci in anurans and suggest that certain supertypes have particular physiochemical properties that may confer pathogen resistance.
•We describe, for the first time, sequences of MHC class I from the Asian frogs Bufo gargarizans and Hyla japonica.•We found at least four transcribed MHC class I loci in each species.•MHC I transcription was found in larvae as well as adults.•The two species shared supertypes based on their MHC I sequences.