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Free keywords:
major histocompatibility complex (MHC); parasites; host-parasite coevolution; balancing selection; heterozygote advantage; mate choice
Abstract:
Overdominant selection or heterozygote advantage can partly explain the extraordinary polymorphism found at classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci. However, several studies employing only single infectious agents often failed to detect it. Here, we review recent studies suggesting that due to the dominant nature of MHC-mediated resistance, a heterozygote advantage is most likely to be detected in multiple pathogen challenges.
