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Comparative Study
. 1989;29(1):19-24.
doi: 10.1007/BF02341609.

Limited MHC polymorphism in whales

J Trowsdale  1 , V Groves, A Arnason
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Limited MHC polymorphism in whales

J Trowsdale et al. Immunogenetics. 1989.

Abstract

Little is known about disease and genetic variation in aquatic mammalian species such as whales. In this paper human HLA class I and class II probes were used to study major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes from two species of whale: Fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and Sei (B. borealis). Stronger signals were obtained on whale than on equivalent concentrations of mouse DNA. Evidence was obtained for several DRB-related genes, a DNA genes, one DQA gene, and multiple class I genes in whales. Interestingly, the whale genes, from the small panel studied, were less polymorphic than those of humans or mice. The aquatic environment of this mammalian species may be a unique factor in shaping its immune response through the MHC.

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