Influence of Mhc Factors
Scientific Writing
22 April 2003
The Influence of MHC Factors in Human Mate Selection
Beth Ervin, Chris Maser, Shaun May, Audy Whitman
Title:
Byline:
The Influence of MHC Factors in Human Mate Selection
Introduction:
The driving force of love may be much more than it appears. Should it now be “love at first scent,” rather than “love at first sight”? If such a question were presented to a geneticist, he or she would say without a doubt “love at first scent” because the genes that drive the immune system are also influential in matters of the heart. These genes have been classified as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) factors. MHC factors are a driving force in mate selection in the interest of offspring viability and mutual attraction between the sexes.
(MHC defined; direct quotations must be documented)
MHC is found in all vertebrate animals. It is now thought to have its own “effect on fertility and mating” (Small 1998). MHC is an “extended collection of genes on the short arm of human chromosome 6” best known for their ability to recognize “invading pathogens” (Rhodes and Trowsaal 2002).
Researchers have found MHC along three sections of chromosome 6 and have divided them into three classes: I, II, and III. Classes I and II function by developing proteins that enable T cells to appropriately respond to invading pathogens and “recruit the helper T cell(s)” (Rhodes and Trowsaal 2002). T cells are lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells that mediate cellular immunity. T cells can both recognize and attack invading pathogens and foreign or transplanted tissues. Lymphocytes can be classified into two complex populations. Class I MHC proteins are able to recognize and attach to both self-cells and foreign cells. These cells can also be responsible for cell destruction. Class II MHC proteins enable the cells of the immune system to recognize each other. Helper T cells work with Class II MHC proteins to mobilize the
22 April 2003
The Influence of MHC Factors in Human Mate Selection
Beth Ervin, Chris Maser, Shaun May, Audy Whitman
Title:
Byline:
The Influence of MHC Factors in Human Mate Selection
Introduction:
The driving force of love may be much more than it appears. Should it now be “love at first scent,” rather than “love at first sight”? If such a question were presented to a geneticist, he or she would say without a doubt “love at first scent” because the genes that drive the immune system are also influential in matters of the heart. These genes have been classified as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) factors. MHC factors are a driving force in mate selection in the interest of offspring viability and mutual attraction between the sexes.
(MHC defined; direct quotations must be documented)
MHC is found in all vertebrate animals. It is now thought to have its own “effect on fertility and mating” (Small 1998). MHC is an “extended collection of genes on the short arm of human chromosome 6” best known for their ability to recognize “invading pathogens” (Rhodes and Trowsaal 2002).
Researchers have found MHC along three sections of chromosome 6 and have divided them into three classes: I, II, and III. Classes I and II function by developing proteins that enable T cells to appropriately respond to invading pathogens and “recruit the helper T cell(s)” (Rhodes and Trowsaal 2002). T cells are lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells that mediate cellular immunity. T cells can both recognize and attack invading pathogens and foreign or transplanted tissues. Lymphocytes can be classified into two complex populations. Class I MHC proteins are able to recognize and attach to both self-cells and foreign cells. These cells can also be responsible for cell destruction. Class II MHC proteins enable the cells of the immune system to recognize each other. Helper T cells work with Class II MHC proteins to mobilize the
References: Egid K, Brown JL 1989. The major histocompatibility complex and female mating preferences in mice. Anim Behav 38: 48-50. Engen T. 1982. The perception of odors. New York: Academic. 202p. Hendrick PW, Thomson G. 1983. Evidence for balancing selection at HLA. Genetics 104:449-56. Hudson M, Plynik T, Hogan M. Theories on coevolution of parasites and host MHC (Internet). Hamilton, ONT: Mcmaster University. Available from http://www.science.mcmaster.ca/biology/CBCN/genetics/hud_coevol.htm (Cited 2002 Mar 4) Jordan WC, Bruford MW. 1998. New perspectives on mate choice and the MHC. Heredity 81: 239-45. Milinski M, Wedekind C. 2001. Evidence for MHC-correlated perfume preferences in humans. Behavior Ecol 12(2): 140-9 Ober C, Weitkamp LR, Cox N, Dytch H, Kostyu D, Silas S. 1997. HLA and mate choice in humans. Amer J Hum Gen 61: 497-504. Penn DJ, Potts WK. 1999. The evolution of mating preferences and MHC genes. Amer Nat 153(2): 145-64