Evolution of MHC genetic diversity: a tale of incest, pestilence and sexual preference

Wayne K. Potts; Edward K. Wakeland

doi:10.1016/0168-9525(93)90103-O

Evolution of MHC genetic diversity: a tale of incest, pestilence and sexual preference

Wayne K. Potts, Edward K. Wakeland

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

172 Scopus citations

Abstract

Evidence from the house mouse (Mus) suggests that the extreme diversity of genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) results from three different forms of selection involving infectious disease (pestilence), inbreeding (incest) and MHC-based mating (sexual) preferences. MHC-based disassortative mating preferences are presumed to have evolved because they reduce homozygosity throughout the genome, and particularly within loci linked to the MHC. Progeny derived from such disassortative matings would enjoy increased fitness because of both reduced levels of inbreeding depression and increased resistance to infectious disease arising from their increased MHC heterozygosity.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	408-412
Number of pages	5
Journal	Trends in Genetics
Volume	9
Issue number	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-9525(93)90103-O
State	Published - Dec 1993

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Genetics

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title = "Evolution of MHC genetic diversity: a tale of incest, pestilence and sexual preference",

abstract = "Evidence from the house mouse (Mus) suggests that the extreme diversity of genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) results from three different forms of selection involving infectious disease (pestilence), inbreeding (incest) and MHC-based mating (sexual) preferences. MHC-based disassortative mating preferences are presumed to have evolved because they reduce homozygosity throughout the genome, and particularly within loci linked to the MHC. Progeny derived from such disassortative matings would enjoy increased fitness because of both reduced levels of inbreeding depression and increased resistance to infectious disease arising from their increased MHC heterozygosity.",

author = "Potts, {Wayne K.} and Wakeland, {Edward K.}",

note = "Funding Information: Acknowledgements We thank S. F,d wards, C:I. Manning, and W.T. McCon'mack fi)r editorial assistance and T.I,. Colson for assistance with figures. This work was supp(~rted by grants from the NIH and NSF.",

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T2 - a tale of incest, pestilence and sexual preference

AU - Potts, Wayne K.

AU - Wakeland, Edward K.

N1 - Funding Information: Acknowledgements We thank S. F,d wards, C:I. Manning, and W.T. McCon'mack fi)r editorial assistance and T.I,. Colson for assistance with figures. This work was supp(~rted by grants from the NIH and NSF.

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N2 - Evidence from the house mouse (Mus) suggests that the extreme diversity of genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) results from three different forms of selection involving infectious disease (pestilence), inbreeding (incest) and MHC-based mating (sexual) preferences. MHC-based disassortative mating preferences are presumed to have evolved because they reduce homozygosity throughout the genome, and particularly within loci linked to the MHC. Progeny derived from such disassortative matings would enjoy increased fitness because of both reduced levels of inbreeding depression and increased resistance to infectious disease arising from their increased MHC heterozygosity.

AB - Evidence from the house mouse (Mus) suggests that the extreme diversity of genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) results from three different forms of selection involving infectious disease (pestilence), inbreeding (incest) and MHC-based mating (sexual) preferences. MHC-based disassortative mating preferences are presumed to have evolved because they reduce homozygosity throughout the genome, and particularly within loci linked to the MHC. Progeny derived from such disassortative matings would enjoy increased fitness because of both reduced levels of inbreeding depression and increased resistance to infectious disease arising from their increased MHC heterozygosity.

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Evolution of MHC genetic diversity: a tale of incest, pestilence and sexual preference

Abstract

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