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MHC gene copy number variation in Tasmanian devils: implications for the spread of a contagious cancer
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 03:04 authored by Siddle, HV, Marzec, J, Cheng, Y, Menna JonesMenna Jones, Belov, KTasmanian devils face extinction owing to the emergence of a contagious cancer. Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a clonal cancer spread owing to a lack of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) barriers in Tasmanian devil populations. We present a comprehensive screen of MHC diversity in devils and identify 25 MHC types and 53 novel sequences, but conclude that overall levels of MHC diver- sity at the sequence level are low. The majority of MHC Class I variation can be explained by allelic copy number variation with two to seven sequence variants identiï¬ed per individual. MHC sequences are divided into two distinct groups based on sequence similarity. DFTD cells and most devils have sequences from both groups. Twenty per cent of individuals have a restricted MHC reper toire and con- tain only group I or only group II sequences. Counterintuitively, we postulate that the immune system of individuals with a restricted MHC repertoire may recognize foreign MHC antigens on the surface of the DFTD cell. The implication of these results for management of DFTD and this endangered species are discussed.
History
Publication title
Royal Society of London. Proceedings B. Biological SciencesVolume
277Issue
1690Pagination
2001-2006ISSN
0962-8452Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Royal Soc LondonPlace of publication
6 Carlton House Terrace, London, England, Sw1Y 5AgRights statement
Copyright © 2010 The Royal SocietyRepository Status
- Restricted