Molecular Evolution of Antigen-Processing Genes in Salamanders: Do They Coevolve with<i>MHC</i>Class I Genes?
Journal: Genome Biology and Evolution
Year: 2021

Proteins encoded by antigen-processing genes (APGs) prepare antigens for presentation by the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) molecules. Coevolution between APGs and MHC I genes has been proposed as the ancestral gnathostome condition. The hypothesis predicts a single highly expressed MHC I gene and tight linkage between APGs and MHC I. In addition, APGs should evolve under positive selection, a consequence of the adaptive evolution in MHC I. The presence of multiple highly expre