Partial sequence of a DNA fragment from wild ducks homologous to the Gallus gallus major histocompatibility complex

Abstract

In this study, a genomic DNA fragment from domestic duck (Anas domesticus) was amplified by PCR. Such fragment shared 93 % identity to the chicken (Gallus gallus) MHC class II, which correspond to DAB1- (Disabled 1)-like sequence. The DAB1 sequence was also amplified from nine wild duck species of the Anas genus, which after performing a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using the RsaI, BsrI, and HindIII enzymes, showed subtle differences when the Anas americana, Anas platyrhynchos diazi, and Anas platyrhynchos domesticus species were compared with the Anas discors, Anas crecca, Anas cyanoptera, Anas acuta, Anas streptera, and Anas clypeata species. As far as we know, this is the first report showing the presence of DAB1-like sequences in wild ducks.