MHC-Associated Patterns of Mating, Kin Recognition, and Genetic Diversity in Six Vertebrate Species

小行星9222177 主要组织相容性复合体（MHC）基因在免疫识别中起主要作用。 正因为如此，人们普遍认为，它们无与伦比的遗传多样性是寄生虫驱动的选择的结果。 然而，这些基因也可能在基于遗传的亲属识别系统中发挥作用。 Potts博士最近的研究表明，雌性家鼠更喜欢与MHC不同的雄性交配，但更喜欢与MHC相似的雌性共同筑巢。 波茨博士现在将试图从两个主要方面扩展这些发现。 首先，亲属识别系统中的歧视需要一个参照物来与其他个体进行比较。 Potts博士将在一个自然种群的家鼠中使用基于MHC的交配偏好作为一种测定方法，以确定（1）自身、父母、巢伴或某种组合是否是指涉对象，以及（2）匹配MHC单倍型的规则的性质。 其次，为了确定MHC的独特特征（主要从小鼠的研究中得知）是否是脊椎动物的一般特征，Potts博士将评估其他五种脊椎动物自然种群中与MHC相关的适应性，交配和遗传多样性模式。 如果MHC基因通常参与脊椎动物物种的抗病性，交配偏好和亲属识别，那么了解这种基于MHC的歧视的机制和功能将对脊椎动物生物学的广泛领域产生重要影响。 这些领域包括免疫识别系统的进化，社会行为的进化，基于亲属的合作的调节，近亲繁殖-避免机制，以及交配行为和亲属歧视的遗传基础。

9222177 Potts The genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) play a major role in immune recognition. Because of this, it has generally been assumed that their unequalled genetic diversity results from parasite-driven selection. However, these genes may also function in a genetic-based kin-recognition system. This possibility is indicated by Dr. Potts' recent demonstration that female house mice prefer to mate with MHC-dissimilar males, but prefer to nest communally with MHC-similar females. Dr. Potts will now attempt to extend these findings in two major ways. First, discrimination in kin-recognition systems requires a referent to which other individuals are compared. Dr. Potts will use MHC-based mating preferences in a seminatural population of house mice as an assay to determine (1) whether self, a parent, a nestmate, or some combination is the referent, and (2) the nature of the rules for matching MHC haplotypes. Second, to determine whether or not the unique features of MHC (known primarily from studies of mice) are general vertebrate traits, Dr. Potts will evaluate MHC-related patterns of fitness, mating, and genetic diversity in natural populations of five other vertebrate species. If MHC genes are generally involved in disease resistance, mating preferences, and kin recognition in vertebrate species, understanding the mechanisms and function of this MHC-based discrimination will have important implications for a wide range of areas in vertebrate biology. These areas include the evolution of immune-recognition systems, the evolution of social behavior, modulation of kin-based cooperation, inbreeding- avoidance mechanisms, and the genetic basis of mating behavior and kin discrimination.