Development of MHC-linked microsatellite markers in the domestic cat and their use to evaluate MHC diversity in domestic cats, cheetahs and Gir lions.

Diversity within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) reflects the immunological fitness of a population. MHC-linked microsatellite markers provide a simple and inexpensive method for studying MHC diversity in large scale studies. We have developed six MHC-linked microsatellite markers in the domestic cat and used these, in conjunction with five neutral microsatellites, to assess MHC diversity in domestic mixed breed (n = 129) and purebred Burmese (n = 61) cat populations in Australia. The MHC of outbred Australian cats is polymorphic (average allelic richness = 8.52) while the Burmese population has much significantly lower MHC diversity (average allelic richness = 6.81; P&lt;0.01). The MHC-linked microsatellites along with MHC cloning and sequencing demonstrated moderate MHC diversity in cheetahs (n = 13) and extremely low diversity in Gir lions (n = 13). Our MHC-linked microsatellite markers have potential future use in diversity and disease studies in other populations and bre...主要组织相容性复合体（major histocompatibility complex, MHC）的多态性，反映了一个种群的免疫适应性。与MHC连锁的微卫星标记，为大规模开展MHC多态性研究提供了简便且低成本的技术手段。本研究在家猫中开发了6个与MHC连锁的微卫星标记，并结合5个中性微卫星标记，对澳大利亚境内的家猫混合种群（n = 129）与纯种缅甸猫种群（n = 61）的MHC多态性进行了评估。结果显示，非近交的澳大利亚家猫的MHC具有多态性（平均等位基因丰富度 = 8.52），而缅甸猫种群的MHC多态性则显著更低（平均等位基因丰富度 = 6.81；P<0.01）。通过与MHC连锁的微卫星标记，结合MHC克隆与测序技术，研究发现猎豹种群（n = 13）的MHC多态性处于中等水平，而吉尔狮种群（n = 13）的MHC多态性则极低。本研究开发的与MHC连锁的微卫星标记，未来在其他种群的多态性与疾病研究以及育种相关工作中具有潜在应用价值。