Evidence of genotypic variation, MHC class I copy number variation and recombination within the chicken major histocompatibility complex-y system

Author

Renee T. Kopulos

Publication Date

2016

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Duvall, Melvin R.

Degree Name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

LCSH

Major histocompatibility complex; Chickens--Genetics; Genetic recombination; Genetics; Immunology

Abstract

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a gene region found in all jawed vertebrates. These highly polymorphic, tightly linked genes are responsible for immune regulation by presenting self and non-self antigens to the immune system. The MHC is the most polymorphic vertebrate genome region because its genes face considerable selective pressure since survival depends on the capacity to respond to bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases. The MHC organization in different species has clearly evolved in separate and unique ways since the time that birds and mammals diverged from a common ancestor 310 million years ago. The size and organization of chicken MHC genes is somewhat different from the MHC regions found in mice and humans. Given the wide variability in gene numbers revealed in this study, I wanted to determine whether genetic recombination, crossing over, in the MHC-Y region might be contributing to haplotypic variation. YF molecules seem to have a high recombination frequency between its multiple copies, perhaps on the order of 1% (1 map unit) or higher. This may be due to many similar genes present within the MHC-Y region. Proximity of a 41 base pair repeat known as PO41 might also contribute to instability of the region.

Comments

Advisors: Melvin R. Duvall; Richard B. King.||Committee members: David E. Briles; W. Elwood Briles; Thomas Sims; Robert L. Taylor, Jr.

Recommended Citation

Kopulos, Renee T., "Evidence of genotypic variation, MHC class I copy number variation and recombination within the chicken major histocompatibility complex-y system" (2016). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 2952.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/2952

Extent

98 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text