Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of major histocompatibility complex class II genes from inbred chicken lines

High molecular weight DNA was extracted from sperm from chickens of 14 inbred lines. The DNA was digested with each of four restriction enzymes (Pvu II, Hind III, Bgl II, and Bam HI), electrophoresed for 18 or 45 h, blotted onto nitrocellulose, and hybridized to a chicken major histocompatibility complex (MHC, B complex) class II beta-chain probe (beta 2-exon specific). Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were found with each of the restriction enzymes used. Birds with the same B haplotype always showed the same RFLP pattern; however, some birds of different B haplotypes also shared the same RFLP pattern. To test for the Mendelian inheritance of the RFLP patterns, the F2 progeny of an informative cross were analysed. The RFLP patterns corresponded with the serologically determined B haplotypes of the F2 birds, thereby showing the Mendelian inheritance of the polymorphic bands.