Characterization of two MHC II genes (DOB, DRB) in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

We further explored MHC-DRB exon 2 polymorphism in white-tailed deer and characterized an additional MHC gene (MHC-DOB exon 2). Since these genes lie on different MHC II subregions separated by the inversion seen in other ruminants, we also examined the degree of linkage between MHC-DRB and MHC-DOB in white-tailed deer. Since the immunological functions of MHC-DRB and MHC-DOB are vastly different, with MHC-DRB being the classical antigen-presenting protein and MHC-DOB being an accessory loading protein, selection may have influenced these genes differently. We therefore also assessed how these 2 genes have evolved to better understand trends in MHC polymorphism of white-tailed deer.