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How selection shapes variation of the human major histocompatibility complex: a review
Author(s) -
MEYER DIOGO,
THOMSON GLENYS
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
annals of human genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1469-1809
pISSN - 0003-4800
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-1809.2001.6510001.x
Subject(s) - major histocompatibility complex , biology , balancing selection , human leukocyte antigen , selection (genetic algorithm) , genetics , evolutionary biology , genotype , variation (astronomy) , genetic variation , polymorphism (computer science) , gene , antigen , physics , artificial intelligence , computer science , astrophysics
The nature of polymorphism and molecular sequence variation in the genes of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) provides strong support for the idea that these genes are under selection. With the understanding that selection shapes MHC variation new questions have become the focus of study. What is the mode of selection that accounts for MHC polymorphism? Is variation maintained by pathogen pressure or by reproductive mechanisms? Discerning between these requires drawing on information from studies on association between HLA genes and infectious diseases, reproductive success and mating preferences relative to HLA genotypes, and theoretical studies that compare the outcomes of different selection regimes. The pattern that has emerged suggests that several types of selection are plausible for the maintenance of HLA polymorphism.