Major Histocompatibility Complex Microsatellite Loci in Dromedary Camels

The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is a highly polymorphic genomic region that harbors many genes involved in the immune response of mammals and jawed fish.  It has been widely studied in many species, and has been linked with several disease associations, many involving immune mediated conditions.  In this study we describe the development and characterization of six polymorphic microsatellite loci within the Class I and Class II regions of the dromedary camel MHC.  The camel is an import agricultural species in many parts of the world, and little research describing its MHC is available in the public domain.  To identify MHC microsatellite loci, we screened dromedary camel genomic scaffold sequences containing MHC Class I and II genes for repeat loci, followed this with primer design to amplify discreet microsatellite markers, and finally, tested fluorescently labeled primer pairs on genomic DNA from camel samples obtained from the Persian Gulf state of Qatar.  By utilizing trios of parent/offspring samples, and identification of homozygous individuals, we have identified microsatellite haplotypes within the dromedary camel MHC.  This panel of microsatellite markers will allow us to examine dromedary MHC diversity among camels in Qatar and abroad.  This research was supported by the Qatar National Research Fund grant # NPRP No.: 6-1303-4-023.