International Journal of Molecular Veterinary Research, 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 1-12 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmvr 9 Figure 4 Key processes shaping MHC polymorphism in populations and within-individual antigen-binding range (Adopted from Radwan et al., 2020) 9.3 Implications for conservation and disease resistance Genetic variation of the MHC gene plays a significant role in canid population conservation and immunity against disease. Enhanced variability of the MHC has been found to be associated with stronger immune perception and resistance against numerous pathogens, crucial for species survival in nature (Hedrick, 1994; Sommer, 2005; Piertney and Oliver, 2006). Conservation efforts targeting the maintenance of MHC diversity for long-term canid population viability should therefore ensue. But this can be achieved through undertaking activities such as habitat conservation, evasion of human-created genetic bottlenecks, and facilitation of gene exchange across fragmented populations (Sommer, 2005; Lapalombella, 2016). Also, understanding of the MHC gene evolutionary process has been used in the development of breeding programs for enhancing disease resistance in domestic dogs, hence enhancing their longevity and health (Kelley et al., 2004; Bartocillo et al., 2021). 10 Conclusion and Future Directions Canid immune system gene evolution has been influenced by a complex interplay of environmental and genetic pressures. Recent genomic and transcriptomic technologies have illuminated molecular mechanisms underlying the evolutionary process. For instance, the immunome has been suggested to circumscribe immune defense genes within a comparative context, highlighting multi-dimensional selection pressures acting on different classes of immune genes. Comparative genomics revealed an elaborate network of nucleotide-based mechanisms that are key to biological conflict, immunity, and signaling and further indicative of the multi-dimensionality of immune gene evolution. Moreover, the studies of DNA-editing enzymes like activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) indicated that the enzymes were key to diversify the antigen receptor genes to combat viral infection. These observations collectively bring our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics between the host and pathogen closer, setting us much better positioned to fully enjoy immune gene evolution in canids.
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