Press release from June 19th, 2008
New findings on immune system in amphibians
Researchers unravel complexity of the major histocompatibility complex in tailed amphibians
Krakow/Halle. Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes produce proteins that are crucial in fighting pathogen assault. Researchers from the Jagiellonian University in Krakow and from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) characterized genetic variation and detected more than one MHC class II locus in a tailed amphibian. Unlike mammals, not much has been known until now about the immune defence of amphibians. Globally, amphibian populations are in an unprecedented decline, to a considerable extent caused by rapidly spreading infectious diseases, such as the fungal infection Chytridiomycosis.
During the mating season early in the year, the males of the Alpine newt (Mesotriton alpestris) exhibit blue colouring on their backs.
Photo: Dieter Florian
The Alpine newt (Mesotriton alpestris) is the only known tailed amphibian with more than one MHC II locus.
Photo: Maciej Pabijan/ Jagiellonian University Krakow
Therefore future conservation strategies for amphibians could benefit from knowledge about species-specific adaptations indicated by MHC variation, say the researchers writing in the journal Molecular Ecology. For their research, the scientists conducted a genetic study of various populations of the Alpine newt (Mesotriton alpestris) in Poland at the northern limit of this Central European species’ distribution range. The Alpine newt is the first European and the third on the global scale, tailed amphibian species in which the MHC has been studied, and the first one in which more than one MHC II locus has been found.
The crucial role of the MHC in the immunity of mammals is well recognized. The discovery in tailed amphibians, however, shows that the genetic variation in MHC is important for this group as well: "In this study we were able to demonstrate that positive selection has been acting" reports Wiesław Babik of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. "This means that these genes play an important role in the immune system which recognises and fights diseases." The lead author of the study, Wiesław Babik, conducted the research as part of a collaborative project between the University of Krakow and the UFZ in Halle/Saale that was financed by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. “Until now, scientists have assumed that the MHC in amphibians is not particularly important. But this is definitely not the case," explains Dr Walter Durka of the UFZ, who supervised Wiesław Babik during his post-doctoral research.
In an earlier DNA study, the researchers were able to show that over the past 10,000 years the Polish populations of the Alpine newt on the northern boundary of its distribution range have achieved a high level of genetic diversity comparatively quickly. The three isolated populations in the Sudetes, Carpathian and Świętokrzyskie Mountains probably evolved from a single refugium in which the newts survived the last Ice Age.
Alpine newts are primarily found in wooded hilly and mountainous areas of Central Europe up to altitudes of 2500 metres. There are also
subspecies in Spain, Italy and on the Balkan peninsula. For reproduction, the species relies on small bodies of water, where the
females lay their eggs after mating and where the newt larvae later develop. Following metamorphosis, the adult newts leave the water and
overwinter under tree roots or stones. Alpine newts can live to an age of 20 years. A particular feature of the Alpine newt - the smallest
native newt, measuring no more than 11 cm - is the number of its toes. Like all tailed amphibians, the back limbs usually have five toes,
while the front limbs have four.
Tilo Arnhold
You can read more about biodiversity in a special edition of the UFZ newsletter for the 9th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP9), that was from 19 to 30 May in Bonn.
UFZ Newsletter Special on biodiversity
More information:
Dr. Walter Durka
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)
Phone +49 345 558-5314
Dr. Walter Durka
Wiesław Babik
Institute of Environmental Sciences
Jagiellonian University Kraków
Phone: +48 12 664-51-49
Wiesław Babik
oder über
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
Press office
Tilo Arnhold
Phone: +49 (0)341 235 1269
presse@ufz.de
Publications
Babik W., Pabijan M., Radwan J. (2008).
Contrasting patterns of variation in MHC loci in the Alpine newt.
Molecular Ecology, 17: 2339-2355
www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2008.03757.x
www.eko.uj.edu.pl/molecol/babik/Babik_etal_2008.pdf
The work was partially funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
Pabijan M., Babik W. (2006).
Genetic structure in northeastern populations of the Alpine newt (Triturus alpestris): evidence for post-Pleistocene differentiation.
Molecular Ecology, 15: 2397-2407.
www.eko.uj.edu.pl/molecol/babik/03.pdf
Pabijan M., Babik W. , Rafiński J. (2005).
Genetic variation in northeastern populations of the Alpine newt (Triturus alpestris). Conservation Genetics, 6: 307-312.
www.eko.uj.edu.pl/molecol/babik/07.pdf
Links:
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_histocompatibility_complex
Alpine Newt (Triturus alpestris):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_Newt
Axolot:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axolotl
Tiger Salamander:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Salamander
Amphibianark:
www.amphibianark.org/index.htm
At the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) scientists research the causes and consequences of far-reaching environmental changes. They study water resources, biological diversity, the consequences of climate change and adaptation possibilities, environmental and biotechnologies, bio energy, the behaviour of chemicals in the environment and their effect on health, as well as modelling and social science issues. Their guiding research principle is supporting the sustainable use of natural resources and helping to secure these basic requirements of life over the long term under the influence of global change. The UFZ employs 900 people at its sites in Leipzig, Halle and Magdeburg. It is funded by the German government and by the states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.
The Helmholtz Association helps solve major, pressing challenges facing society, science and the economy with top scientific achievements in six research areas: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Key Technologies, Structure of Matter, Transport and Space. With 25,700 employees in 15 research centres and an annual budget of around EUR 2.3 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organisation. Its work follows in the tradition of the great natural scientist Hermann von Helmholtz (1821-1894).