Characterization of the Z lineage Major histocompatability complex class I genes in zebrafish

Immunogenetics. 2014 Mar;66(3):185-98. doi: 10.1007/s00251-013-0748-z. Epub 2013 Nov 28.

Abstract

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a valuable model for studying immunity, infection, and hematopoietic disease and have recently been employed for transplantation assays. However, the lack of syngeneic zebrafish creates challenges with identifying immune-matched individuals. The MHC class I genes, which mediate allogeneic recognition in mammals, have been grouped into three broad lineages in zebrafish: the classical U genes on chromosome 19, the Z genes which have been reported to map to chromosome 1, and the L genes that map to multiple loci. Transplantations between individual zebrafish that are matched at the U locus fail to consistently engraft suggesting that additional loci contribute to allogeneic recognition. Although two full-length zebrafish Z transcripts have been described, the genomic organization and diversity of these genes have not been reported. Herein we define ten Z genes on chromosomes 1 and 3 and on an unplaced genomic scaffold. We report that neither of the Z transcripts previously described match the current genome assembly and classify these transcripts as additional gene loci. We characterize full-length transcripts for 9 of these 12 genes. We demonstrate a high level of expression variation of the Z genes between individual zebrafish suggestive of haplotypic variation. We report low level sequence variation for individual Z genes between individual zebrafish reflecting a possible nonclassical function, although these molecules may still contribute to allogeneic recognition. Finally, we present a gene nomenclature system for the Z genes consistent with MHC nomenclature in other species and with the zebrafish gene nomenclature guidelines.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Order
  • Genes, MHC Class I*
  • Genetic Linkage*
  • Genetic Loci
  • Haplotypes
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Ubiquitination
  • Zebrafish / classification
  • Zebrafish / genetics*
  • Zebrafish / immunology

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary

Associated data

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  • GENBANK/KC607830
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