@article{dirscherl_yoder_2015, title={A nonclassical MHC class I U lineage locus in zebrafish with a null haplotypic variant}, volume={67}, ISSN={0093-7711 1432-1211}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00251-015-0862-1}, DOI={10.1007/s00251-015-0862-1}, abstractNote={Three sequence lineages of MHC class I genes have been described in zebrafish (Danio rerio): U, Z, and L. The U lineage genes encoded on zebrafish chromosome 19 are predicted to provide the classical function of antigen presentation. This MHC class I locus displays significant haplotypic variation and is the only MHC class I locus in zebrafish that shares conserved synteny with the core mammalian MHC. Here, we describe two MHC class I U lineage genes, mhc1ula and mhc1uma, that map to chromosome 22. Unlike the U lineage proteins encoded on chromosome 19, Ula and Uma likely play a nonclassical role as they lack conservation of key peptide binding residues, display limited polymorphic variation, and exhibit tissue-specific expression. We also describe a null haplotype at this chromosome 22 locus in which the mhc1ula and mhc1uma genes are absent due to a ~30 kb deletion with no other MHC class I sequences present. Functional and non-functional transcripts of mhc1ula and mhc1uma were identified; however, mhc1uma transcripts were often not amplified or amplified at low levels from individuals possessing an apparently bona fide gene. These distinct U lineage genes may be restricted to the superorder Ostariophysi as similar sequences only could be identified from the blind cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), goldfish (Carassius auratus), and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).}, number={9}, journal={Immunogenetics}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Dirscherl, Hayley and Yoder, Jeffrey A.}, year={2015}, month={Aug}, pages={501–513} }
 @article{dirscherl_mcconnell_yoder_de jong_2014, title={The MHC class I genes of zebrafish}, volume={46}, ISSN={0145-305X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2014.02.018}, DOI={10.1016/j.dci.2014.02.018}, abstractNote={Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules play a central role in the immune response and in the recognition of non-self. Found in all jawed vertebrate species, including zebrafish and other teleosts, MHC genes are considered the most polymorphic of all genes. In this review we focus on the multi-faceted diversity of zebrafish MHC class I genes, which are classified into three sequence lineages: U, Z, and L. We examine the polygenic, polymorphic, and haplotypic diversity of the zebrafish MHC class I genes, discussing known and postulated functional differences between the different class I lineages. In addition, we provide the first comprehensive nomenclature for the L lineage genes in zebrafish, encompassing at least 15 genes, and characterize their sequence properties. Finally, we discuss how recent findings have shed new light on the remarkably diverse MHC loci of this species.}, number={1}, journal={Developmental & Comparative Immunology}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Dirscherl, Hayley and McConnell, Sean C. and Yoder, Jeffrey A. and de Jong, Jill L.O.}, year={2014}, month={Sep}, pages={11–23} }
 @article{dirscherl_yoder_2013, title={Characterization of the Z lineage Major histocompatability complex class I genes in zebrafish}, volume={66}, ISSN={0093-7711 1432-1211}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00251-013-0748-z}, DOI={10.1007/s00251-013-0748-z}, abstractNote={Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a valuable model for studying immunity, infection, and hematopoietic disease and have recently been employed for transplantation assays. However, the lack of syngeneic zebrafish creates challenges with identifying immune-matched individuals. The MHC class I genes, which mediate allogeneic recognition in mammals, have been grouped into three broad lineages in zebrafish: the classical U genes on chromosome 19, the Z genes which have been reported to map to chromosome 1, and the L genes that map to multiple loci. Transplantations between individual zebrafish that are matched at the U locus fail to consistently engraft suggesting that additional loci contribute to allogeneic recognition. Although two full-length zebrafish Z transcripts have been described, the genomic organization and diversity of these genes have not been reported. Herein we define ten Z genes on chromosomes 1 and 3 and on an unplaced genomic scaffold. We report that neither of the Z transcripts previously described match the current genome assembly and classify these transcripts as additional gene loci. We characterize full-length transcripts for 9 of these 12 genes. We demonstrate a high level of expression variation of the Z genes between individual zebrafish suggestive of haplotypic variation. We report low level sequence variation for individual Z genes between individual zebrafish reflecting a possible nonclassical function, although these molecules may still contribute to allogeneic recognition. Finally, we present a gene nomenclature system for the Z genes consistent with MHC nomenclature in other species and with the zebrafish gene nomenclature guidelines.}, number={3}, journal={Immunogenetics}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Dirscherl, Hayley and Yoder, Jeffrey A.}, year={2013}, month={Nov}, pages={185–198} }