Development of MHC-Linked Microsatellite Markers in the Domestic Cat and Their Use to Evaluate MHC Diversity in Domestic Cats, Cheetahs, and Gir Lions

Katrina M Morris; Katherine Kirby; Julia A Beatty; Vanessa R Barrs; Sonia Cattley; Victor David; Stephen J O'Brien; Marilyn Menotti-Raymond; Katherine Belov

doi:10.1093/jhered/esu017

Development of MHC-Linked Microsatellite Markers in the Domestic Cat and Their Use to Evaluate MHC Diversity in Domestic Cats, Cheetahs, and Gir Lions

J Hered. 2014 Jul-Aug;105(4):493-505. doi: 10.1093/jhered/esu017. Epub 2014 Mar 11.

Authors

Katrina M Morris¹, Katherine Kirby¹, Julia A Beatty¹, Vanessa R Barrs¹, Sonia Cattley¹, Victor David¹, Stephen J O'Brien¹, Marilyn Menotti-Raymond¹, Katherine Belov²

Affiliations

¹ From the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia (Morris, Kirby, Beatty, Barrs, and Belov); the ANGIS, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia (Cattley); the Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1201 (David and Menotti-Raymond); the Theodosius Dobzhansky Center for Genome Bioinformatics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia (O'Brien); and the Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33314-7796 (O'Brien).
² From the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia (Morris, Kirby, Beatty, Barrs, and Belov); the ANGIS, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia (Cattley); the Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1201 (David and Menotti-Raymond); the Theodosius Dobzhansky Center for Genome Bioinformatics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia (O'Brien); and the Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33314-7796 (O'Brien). kathy.belov@sydney.edu.au.

Abstract

Diversity within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) reflects the immunological fitness of a population. MHC-linked microsatellite markers provide a simple and an inexpensive method for studying MHC diversity in large-scale studies. We have developed 6 MHC-linked microsatellite markers in the domestic cat and used these, in conjunction with 5 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), whereas the Burmese population has significantly lower MHC diversity (average allelic richness = 6.81; P < 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 breeds of cats as well as in wild felid species.

Keywords: major histocompatibility complex; Acinonyx jubatus; Felis catus; Panthera leo.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acinonyx / genetics*
Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Animals, Domestic
Australia
Breeding
Cats / genetics*
Genetic Markers
Genetic Variation*
Lions / genetics*
Major Histocompatibility Complex / genetics*
Microsatellite Repeats*
Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

Genetic Markers