Unheralded high MHC class II polymorphism in the abundant Atlantic herring resolved by long-read sequencing
Authors:
- Minal JamsandekarMJMinal Jamsandekar
- Fahime Mohamadnejad SangdehiFSFahime Mohamadnejad Sangdehi
- Florian BergFBFlorian Berg
- Michael F. CriscitielloMCMichael F. Criscitiello
- Brian W. DavisBDBrian W. Davis
- Mårten LarssonMLMårten Larsson
- Jingyi LiJLJingyi Li
- Mats E. PetterssonMPMats E. Pettersson
- Leif AnderssonLALeif Andersson
Open Access
- 24 July 2026
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science Advances
- Vol. 12 (30)
Abstract
Although major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are the most polymorphic genes in vertebrates, we still lack a clear understanding about the extent of polymorphism and selection mechanisms dominantly driving it. Here, we use 29 haploid genome assemblies resolved by long-read sequencing to characterize MHC II genes in Atlantic herring, a pelagic fish and one of the most abundant vertebrates on Earth. We found nine MHC II loci in total distributed on four chromosomes, three of which were extremely polymorphic because of high sequence diversity, in particular at peptide binding sites, along with high copy number variation. This study reveals that the herring MHC class II genes are among the most, if not the most, polymorphic so far described in vertebrates.Keywords
Funding Information
- Vetenskapsrådet (2017-02907)
- Graduate Student Research Trainee Grant, Texas A&M University
- Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation in Sweden (2023.0160)
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