Abstract:

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a gene cluster directly related to immune response. The highly polymorphic nature of the MHC class I genes corresponds to variations of the pathogens and are crucial for individual survival during infection. During primate evolution, the diverse forms of MHC class I genes came to existence due to different time of divergence and survival pressure. Over time, this led to changes in the number as well as the function of these genes, and even the emergence of species-specific genes. In this paper we describe the overall features of primate MHC classⅠ genes, with an emphasis on the characteristics of six classical MHC classⅠ genes in the typical primate species and their interrelationships.

Key words: species-specific gene, MHC class I genes, polymorphism, primate, evolution