Organization and evolution of D region class I genes in the mouse major histocompatibility complex

The tumor-rejection antigens of the 1591 ultraviolet fibrosarcoma. Potential origin and evolutionary implications

Previously, we cloned and sequenced the three novel MHC class I genes expressed by the C3H UV fibrosarcoma, 1591. We have extended the analysis of the polymorphic nature of these genes relative to the C3H strain. Scattered nucleotide differences among the tumor genes as compared with the C3H H-2 and Qa sequences make it highly unlikely that the novel tumor genes were generated by recombination between endogenous C3H sequences. Given that two of the tumor clones, A149 and A166, are remarkably similar in amino acid and DNA sequence to H-2Lq and H-2Dq, respectively, we also examined the 1591 RP2 and GUS loci for evidence of polymorphism. Compared with C3H and B10.AKM, 1591 appears to be heterozygous at each of these loci, consistent with an H-2q origin for the two novel 1591 class I genes. Interestingly, the third tumor gene, designated A216, shares certain characteristics with the H-2Ks antigen, reminiscent of the naturally occurring combination of H-2Ks, H-2Dq, and H-2Lq antigens found in some Swiss mouse strains. As a result, we propose that the non-C3H/HeN characteristics displayed by the 1591 tumor point to a non-C3H origin for the novel tumor class I genes of 1591.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of major histocompatibility complex genes in the non-obese diabetic mouse strain and its non-diabetic sister strains

It has been suggested that one of the recessive genes controlling diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice is linked to the major histocompatibility complex. We, therefore, performed restriction fragment length polymorphism studies of major histocompatibility complex genes (class I, II, and III) in non-obese diabetic mice in comparison with those of their non-diabetic sister strains, non-obese non-diabetic, cataract, and ILI mice which were derived from the same Jcl-ICR mice as the non-obese diabetic mouse was. When class II and III probes and a minimum of four restriction enzymes were used, class II and III genes of non-obese diabetic mice were indistinguishable from those of cataract and ILI mice but totally different from those of non-obese non-diabetic mice. The studies also indicated that A beta, E beta, and C4-Slp genes of non-obese diabetic, cataract, and ILI mice, and A alpha, A beta, E beta and C4-Slp genes of non-obese non-diabetic mice are different from those of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, respectively. While non-obese non-diabetic mice expressed the E alpha gene, non-obese diabetic, cataract, and ILI mice appeared to carry a deletion in the 5' end of the E alpha gene resulting in failure to transcribe the E alpha gene. When class I probe was used, cataract mice showed very different band patterns from those of the other ICR-derived mice. It is suggested that non-obese diabetic, non-obese non-diabetic, and ILI mice contain only a single class I D region gene.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chromosomal organization of the human major histocompatibility complex class I gene family

17 HLA class I genes have been isolated from the genome of B-lymphoblastoid cell line 721. Sequence analysis and transfection studies indicate that three genes, in addition to those encoding the HLA-A, -B, and -C antigens can direct the synthesis of a class I alpha protein (4, 5, 21). Using gene-specific DNA probes to analyze the presence of restriction fragment-length polymorphisms within a large pedigree and in panel of HLA deletion mutant cell lines, we show here that two of these genes, designated HLA-G and HLA-F, are located on the short arm of chromosome 6 telomeric to the HLA-A locus. The third expressed non-A, -B, and -C class I gene, HLA-E, is located between HLA-A and HLA-C (4). In addition, the remaining 11 class I pseudogenes and gene fragments are localized relative to established markers on chromosome 6p.

Three spontaneous H-2Db mutants are generated by genetic micro-recombination (gene conversion) events. Impact on the H-2-restricted immune responsiveness

Sequence analysis of the mutant Dbm13, Dbm14, and Dbm24 genes indicate that they differ from the parental Db gene by 4, 1, and 8 nucleotides, respectively. The mutant sequences substituted into Dbm13 and Dbm24 are identical to those found in the Kb gene, at the homologous positions. Thus, similar to the Kb gene, the Db gene is able to undergo micro-recombination (gene conversion) events with other class I genes. Such data suggest that micro-recombination events could be an important mechanism for the diversification of all H-2 genes. The Db mutant products share a common theme: the alterations in all occur at amino acid residues whose side chains in the homologous class I HLA-A2 molecule project into the postulated peptide antigen-binding cleft, and hence, would be expected to alter the binding of foreign or self peptides. Due to such changes, the bm14 mouse has become a nonresponder in the CTL response to Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV), as the alteration of one amino acid residue at position 70 (a Gln to His) is sufficient to entirely abrogate the cell-mediated response to the virus. On the other hand, the bm13 mouse has shifted the major part of its M-MuLV restriction to Kb, a profound alteration in CTL responsiveness due to the alteration of three amino acids (Leu to Gln at 114, Phe to Tyr at 116, and Glu to Asp at 119) in a peptide stretch of beta-pleated sheet structure lining the bottom of the antigen-binding cleft. Thus, study of these mutants reveals that, in one step, micro-recombination at the genetic level has resulted at the protein level in profound changes in the immune response to viral infection. Such a mechanism operating at the population level can be a driving force during evolution for modulating the character of CTL immunity.

Recombinants in the H-2S/H-2D interval of mouse chromosome 17 define the map position of a gene for cleft palate susceptibility

The H-2 region of mouse chromosome 17 is known to include one or more genes that affect susceptibility to cortisone-induced cleft palate. We have now studied congenic strains that possess crossovers in the interval between H-2S and H-2D and have observed significant differences in susceptibility among recombinants that had been believed to possess the same H-2 haplotypes. Pregnant mice were injected on days 11 through 14 of gestation with 100 mg of cortisone per kg of body weight. The frequency of cleft palate in B10.A(2R) was significantly greater than in B10.A(1R), despite the fact that both have H-2a/H-2b crossovers in the interval between the S and D loci and have the same alleles at all loci that have been previously characterized. Both B10.BAR5 and B10.BAR12 were significantly more susceptible than B10.A(18R), although these strains also share the same alleles at all loci that have been previously characterized. All three of these strains have H-2b/H-2a recombinant chromosomes, with crossovers in the S/D interval. Genetic linkage between H-2 and the high-susceptibility gene of B10.BAR5 was confirmed by testing H-2 homozygotes derived by intercrossing backcross animals. These data therefore suggest that a gene coding for susceptibility, which we designate Cps-1, maps in the 350-kb interval between H-2S and H-2D, and the congenic strains that we have found to be different have different crossover points within this interval. Alleles at the Cps-1 locus have embryonic effects, but no demonstrable effects on the maternal environment.

The murine MHC class I genes, H-2Dq and H-2Lq, are strikingly homologous to each other, H-2Ld, and two genes reported to encode tumor-specific antigens

Two phenomena appear to distinguish the D region class I genes from those in the K region in the murine MHC: (a) haplotype disparity in the number of expressed D region class I molecules has been observed; and (b) clines of closely related D region class I molecules among and within mice of different H-2 haplotypes can be defined. Both of these observations have been based on serological and peptide mapping analyses of these molecules. Recent reports using molecular biological approaches have corroborated these findings. Since the mouse strain B10.AKM expresses multiple D region class I antigens, all of which are closely related to the prototypic Ld molecule, we investigated the Dq region of B10.AKM using molecular approaches. Three D region class I genes were isolated from genomic B10.AKM bacteriophage and cosmid libraries. Based on alignment of those genes with the BALB/c D region class I genes by analogous restriction endonuclease sites and by hybridization of one of those genes with a D4d gene-derived oligonucleotide probe, we have designated these genes as Dq, Lq, and D4q. As determined by DNA-mediated gene transfer to mouse L cells followed by serological analyses, the Dq and Lq genes encode previously characterized Dq region class I antigens. The nucleic acid sequence comparisons of the Dq and Lq genes demonstrated a higher level of homology with the Ld and Db genes than with other D region class I genes. In addition, CTL stimulated with a Dq, Lq, or Ld gene transfectant showed strong crossreactions with the other transfectants as targets, suggesting that the products of these genes are also functionally related. Thus, these studies suggest that the L molecule represents a prototypic structure shared by several D region gene products, and furthermore, the duplication of an Ld-like progenitor gene resulted in two Dq region class I genes, Dq and Lq. Unexpectedly, the sequences determined for the Dq and Lq genes are nearly identical to the sequences of two genes, A166 and A149, respectively, which were reported to encode the tumor-specific antigens; these novel class I genes were isolated from an H-2k fibrosarcoma, 1591. This raises the distinct possibility that these purported tumor-specific class I genes were introduced into this tumor by contamination.

A third class I major histocompatibility complex antigen encoded by a gene in the D region of the H-2d haplotype recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes

The D region of the H-2d haplotype contains five class I genes: H-2Dd, D2d, D3d, D4d and H-2Ld. Although previous studies have suggested the presence of D-end encoded class I molecules in addition to H-2Dd and H-2Ld, segregation of genes encoding such molecules has not been demonstrated. In this report we have used cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) to examine the D region of the H-2d haplotype for the presence of additional class I molecules. CTL generated in (C3H x B6.K1)F1 (KkDk, KbDb) mice against the hybrid class I gene product Q10d/Ld expressed on L cells cross-react with H-2Ld but not H-2Dd molecules, as determined by lysis of transfected cells expressing H-2Ld but not H-2Dd. Although H-2Ld-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) completely inhibit H-2Ld-specific CTL from killing B10.A(3R) (KbDdLd) target cells, only partial inhibition of anti-Q10 CTL-mediated lysis was observed, suggesting the presence of an additional D-end molecule as a target for these latter CTL. To identify the region containing the gene encoding the Q10 cross-reactive molecule, we show that anti-Q10 CTL lyse target cells from a D-region recombinant strain B10.RQDB, which has H-2Dd, D2d, D3d, D4d, and H-2Db but not the H-2Ld H-2d, and H-2Ld (including D2d, D3d, and D4d), lacks this anti-Q10 CTL target molecule. Together, these data demonstrate that a class I gene mapping between H-2Dd and H-2Ld encodes an antigen recognized by anti-Q10 CTL. A likely candidate for this gene is D2d, D3d, or D4d.

H-2K molecules have two different C-termini, one of which is K-region specific

Amino acid sequences encoded by exon 8 of the H-2K and H-2D/L genes appear to be locus specific. The majority of H-2Kb molecules contain 10 amino acids that are derived from exon 8. In contrast, the H-2Db, -Dd and -Ld molecules contain only one amino acid which is encoded by exon 8, even though the genetic information exists to encode 10 amino acids analogous to those encoded by the majority of H-2Kb transcripts. We have produced a rabbit anti-peptide serum reactive with the exon 8 encoded sequence of H-2Kb (alpha K-C) that specifically immunoprecipitates a molecule of 45 K mol. wt from spleen cell lysates of b, d, p, q and k haplotype mice. Further analysis by Western blots indicated that virtually all mouse strains express a 45 K protein reactive with alpha K-C. In sequential immunoprecipitations of spleen cell lysates from b, q, p and d haplotype mice using alpha K-C followed by H-2K or H-2D private specificity alloantisera, the anti-peptide serum removed nearly all of the molecules reactive with the anti-H-2K alloantisera (except in the k haplotype) and none of the molecules reactive with the anti-H-2D serum. In addition, no D-region molecules possessing a long C-terminal sequence were detected with an antiserum directed against a representative D-region long C-terminal peptide. We conclude that even though the genetic information for an extended exon 8 exists in K, D and L locus genes, apparently only K-region molecules are expressed with such a C-terminus. Furthermore, in most haplotypes the great majority of H-2K molecules are produced using long exon 8; however, H-2Kk is produced mostly from short exon 8. The absence or presence of key adenosine residues is predicted to be responsible for the variability in class I exon 8 splicing.

NK sensitivity, H-2, c-K-ras proto-oncogene expression and metastases: analysis of the metastatic potential of H-2 gene transfected fibrosarcoma cells

The transformation of a potentially neoplastic cell into an autonomous highly malignant and metastatic tumor cell involves a multifactorial cascade of events. This will eventually lead not only to the emergence of a tumor cell with an unlimited potential of replication, but more important will contribute to its ability to ignore and evade homeostatic immune and non-immune regulatory mechanisms. Specifically, those mechanisms which may restrict and direct its growth, dissemination, patterns of differentiation and interaction with the cellular and humoral factors comprising its environment. However, many different factors may contribute to a highly invasive and malignant phenotype. It is obvious that one should expect that a cardinal role should be assigned to alterations in those factors which contribute to the capacity of the malignant cells with its environment at the cell membrane level, which in turn is dependent on the concerted functional expression of specialized membrane associated components (i.e. receptors, cyto adhesion molecules (CAM's), histocompatibility antigens, GAP junction complexes, extracellular matrix components, etc.). In the present studies, we have investigated the contribution of three major factors, which maybe the cause or result of alterations at the level of the cell membrane: MHC encoded antigen expression, susceptibility to the cytolytic activity of NK cells and enhanced expression of the c-K-ras proto-oncogene, as to their development of metastatic capacity of a malignant cell. To address these questions, we used metastatic (IE7) and non-metastatic (IC9) variants of the murine 3-methylcholanthrene induced T-10 fibrosarcoma. Using this system, the following major conceptually important observations were made: A. The restoration by transfection of the expression of membrane associated H-2K encoded glycoproteins abrogates the metastatic capacity of the highly metastatic tumor cell clone, IE7, irrespective of the degree of susceptibility to NK or c-K-ras oncogene expression. This reduction in metastatic capacity is followed by a significant decrease in its tumorigenicity which is concomitant with its ability to induce in vivo potent H-2K restricted CTL's. These results clearly indicate that H-2K region encoded molecules play no apparent role in determining the susceptibility of tumor cells to NK cells, and yet their loss or aberrant expression is a cardinal event in tumor progression towards metastatic capacity, a fact which is supported by similar observations achieved in other murine models (18).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

A human major histocompatibility complex class I gene that encodes a protein with a shortened cytoplasmic segment

We have cloned genomic DNA encoding a non-HLA-A, -B, -C class I gene located within a HindIII-generated restriction fragment of 6.0 kilobase pairs. This gene, designated HLA-6.0, is as homologous to HLA-A and HLA-B as they are to each other. The HLA class I protein encoded by HLA-6.0 is similar in organization to the HLA-A-, -B-, and -C-encoded proteins except that an in-frame termination codon prevents translation of a majority of the cytoplasmic region of the HLA-6.0 polypeptide. Moreover, the promoter region of HLA-6.0 resembles the promoter region of a Qa region gene. These structural features of HLA-6.0 suggest that this non-HLA-A, -B, -C gene is a structural homolog of a murine Qa region class I gene.

A single gene encodes soluble and membrane-bound forms of the major histocompatibility Qa-2 antigen: anchoring of the product by a phospholipid tail

The H-2, Qa, and Tla genes of the murine major histocompatibility complex are related to each other by DNA sequence homology. The H-2 genes encode ubiquitously expressed transplantation antigens that serve as recognition structures for cytotoxic T cells. The identities of the Qa and Tla products, their sites of expression, and their functions are largely unknown. We report here that the Qa region gene Q7 encodes a membrane-bound as well as a secreted form of the serologically defined antigen Qa-2. The Q7 gene introduced into liver-derived cells is expressed as a membrane-bound and as a secreted molecule. In transfected L cells it is expressed only as a soluble protein. Biochemical analysis suggests that the Q7 product is anchored to the liver cell membranes by a phospholipid tail. This feature may be responsible for cell type-specific expression of the two forms of the Qa-2 molecules.

A low polymorphic mouse H-2 class I gene from the Tla complex is expressed in a broad variety of cell types

We have previously described the isolation of pH-2d-37, a cDNA clone that encodes a so far unknown, poorly polymorphic, class I surface molecule. We report here the isolation of the corresponding gene, its nucleotide sequence, and its localization in the Tla region of the murine MHC. Using a RNase mapping assay, we have confirmed that the second domain coding region of the 37 gene displays very limited polymorphism, and that the gene is transcribed in a broad variety of cell types, in contrast to the genes encoding the known Qa and TL antigens. Possible functions are discussed.

Molecular characterization of meiotic recombination within the major histocompatibility complex of the mouse: mapping of crossover sites within the I region

The molecular analysis of crossing-over within the mouse major histocompatibility complex provides a useful approach for the study of the structural characteristics of meiotic recombination. In this study five intra-I-region recombinants, each derived from Ik/Ib heterozygotes, were characterized for restriction-fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) characteristic of the I region of the two parental strains. Southern blot analysis of intra-I recombinant strains A.TBR2, A.TBR3, A.TBR5, A.TBR13, and A.TBR17 using six I-region DNA probes revealed that the point of crossing-over in all five recombinants occurred within a 6.2-kb KpnI-EcoRI segment located within the E beta gene. The segments of DNA containing the crossover point from each of the recombinant chromosomes were cloned by screening partial genomic libraries constructed in lambda gt7 bacteriophage. Construction of partial restriction maps of the cloned segments from the parental and recombinant chromosomes permitted the boundaries of the area containing the crossover site to be narrowed to a 4.0-kb segment located almost entirely within an intron of the E beta gene. The recognition that the points of crossing-over in all five recombinants studied are clustered in a relatively small area of the I region provides further evidence for a hot spot of recombination associated with the E beta gene.

Widespread transcription of a Qa region gene in adult mice

The mouse MHC class I family includes genes encoded in four regions: H-2K, H-2D, Qa and Tla. While K/D genes are well characterized, relatively little is known about Qa or Tla genes. We have studied the transcription of a B10.P Qa region gene. DNA sequence comparisons of the transmembrane region, supported by Southern blot analysis of cosmid and genomic DNAs from BALB/c and C57BL/10, demonstrate the lambda 3a gene corresponds to Q4p. In both Northern blots and RNA protection experiments using probes derived from the 3' noncoding region, we found that Q4, like the H-2K and H-2D genes, is widely transcribed in B10.P tissues. These data demonstrate for the first time widespread transcription of a Qa gene.

Tissue-specific expression of cell-surface Qa-2 antigen from a transfected Q7b gene of C57BL/10 mice

We screened a cDNA library prepared from a BALB.B10 CTL clone that expresses Qa-2 antigen, and isolated four clones derived from Q7b, a Qa region gene of C57BL/10. One of these Q7b cDNAs and the Q7b chromosomal gene were subcloned into expression vectors and transfected into L cells and R1.1 thymoma cells. We found that the chromosomal Q7b gene expresses Qa-2 on the surface of R1.1 cells, but not on L cells while the Q7b cDNA expresses protein on the surface of both cell types. The levels of Qa-2 expression do not correlate with the total levels of Q7b mRNA in these transfectants. Our results suggest that the tissue-specific expression of Qa-2 may be controlled, in part, by mechanisms of alternate RNA splicing. By using hybrid gene constructs, we have mapped the tissue-specific element to the 3' part of the gene, downstream of a site near the middle of exon 4. The hybrid polypeptides differ significantly in their transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions. These portions of the protein also may play a role in the tissue-specific expression of Qa-2.

Anti-influenza virus cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize the three viral polymerases and a nonstructural protein: responsiveness to individual viral antigens is major histocompatibility complex controlled

It has recently been shown that antiviral major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes can recognize proteins that serve as internal viral structural components (influenza A virus nucleoprotein, vesicular stomatitis virus nucleocapsid protein). To further examine the role of internal viral proteins in cytotoxic T-lymphocyte recognition, we constructed recombinant vaccinia viruses containing individual influenza A virus genes encoding three viral polymerases (PB1, PB2, PA) and a protein not incorporated into virions (NS1). We found that cells infected with each of these recombinant vaccinia viruses could be lysed by anti-influenza cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responsiveness to the individual viral antigens varied greatly between mouse strains. By using congenic mouse strains, responsiveness to PB1 and PB2 was found to cosegregate with major histocompatibility complex haplotype. These findings provide further evidence that internal antigens play a critical role in cytotoxic T-lymphocyte recognition of virus-infected cells. Additionally, they suggest that the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to viral antigens may often be restricted to only a fraction of the major histocompatibility complex class I repertoire.

Tumour necrosis factor and lymphotoxin genes map close to H-2D in the mouse major histocompatibility complex

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and lymphotoxin (TNF-beta) are related proteins, secreted by macrophages and lymphocytes respectively, which play a role in destruction of tumour cells and virally infected cells (for reviews see refs 1,2). TNF-alpha is a non-glycosylated protein of relative molecular mass 17,000 (Mr 17 K), whereas TNF-beta is a glycoprotein of Mr 25 K. Both TNF-alpha and TNF-beta aggregate into multimers and act through the same receptor molecule on target cells. Genes encoding these two TNF proteins have been cloned from mouse and man and in both are closely linked, being separated by approximately 1 kilobase (kb) of DNA. In the mouse these genes are located on chromosome 17, but in man they are on the short arm of chromosome 6. This segment of chromosome 6 also contains the genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), as does chromosome 17 in the mouse. To find out whether the TNF genes are located within the MHC, we used polymorphic restriction sites to analyse a panel of MHC congeneic and intra-MHC recombinant mouse strains. Initially, we mapped the TNF genes the D or Qa region in the distal half of the mouse MHC. We then studied a gene cluster encompassing part of the D and Qa regions and found the TNF genes are located 70 kb proximal to the D gene.

Genetic control of the target structures recognized in hybrid resistance

Hybrid resistance of lethally irradiated (C57BL/6 X DBA/2)F1 and (C57BL/10 X C3H)F1 hybrid mice to the engraftment of parental C57BL/6 or C57BL/10 bone marrow cells is controlled by the H-2-linked Hh-1 locus. This resistance can be specifically blocked or inhibited by the injection of irradiated spleen cells from lethally irradiated, marrow reconstituted donor mice of certain strains. By testing the ability of regenerating spleen cells from various donor strains to block the resistance, we studied the genetic requirements for the expression of putative cell-surface structures recognized in hybrid resistance to H-2b marrow cells. Strains of mice bearing informative intra-H-2 or H-2/Qa-Tla recombinant haplotypes provided evidence that the Hh-1 locus is located telomeric to the H-2S region complement loci and centromeric to the H-2D region class I locus in the H-2b chromosome. Two mutations that affect the class I H-2Db gene have no effect on Hh-1b gene expression. The H-2D region of the H-2s haplotype contains an allele of the Hh-1 locus indistinguishable from that of the H-2Db region, as judged by the phenotypes of relevant strains and F1 hybrids. Collectively these data indicate that the Hh-1 locus is distinct from the class I H-2D (L) locus in the H-2b or H-2s genome, and favor the view that the expression or recognition of the relevant determinants is not associated with class I gene products.

Tissue-specific expression of the mouse Q10 H-2 class-I gene during embryogenesis

We have studied the pattern of expression of the Q10 gene, a H-2 class-I gene located in the major histocompatibility complex which encodes a soluble class-I molecule, in the mid-gestation mouse embryo, and compared it to those of two other class-I genes, namely Kd and 37, the latter gene located in the thymus leukemia region. We found that the steady-state amount of these different mRNAs gradually increased from day 13 to day 18. By comparison with the level of expression of these genes in adult liver, the increase during gestation was fairly more marked for Q10 mRNA than for the others. Furthermore, we found that the Q10 gene is transiently expressed in the endoderm layer of the visceral yolk sac and in the fetal heart. Expression in the latter tissue decreases abruptly while increasing in the liver. It has been proposed that the Q10 protein is involved in immune tolerance. However, the time course of expression of Q10 mRNA and its tissue distribution during embryogenesis suggest that the Q10 protein could play a role in the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells.

Recombination hot spots within the I region of the mouse H-2 complex map to the E beta and E alpha genes

Recombinant mouse strains with crossovers in the I region of the H-2 major histocompatibility complex were examined by restriction fragment analysis for the presence of polymorphic restriction sites within the E beta and E alpha genes. Nine recombinant mouse strains were shown to have crossed over within a 5 kb DNA segment that contains the large intron between the second and third exons of the E beta gene. These results are in accord with previous studies mapping a recombination hot spot within this gene. Seven recombinant mouse strains between the p and k haplotypes were shown to have crossed over in a 6 kb segment within the E alpha gene. These results show the existence of a recombination hot spot within the E alpha gene. Comparison of the H-2 haplotypes involved in these two recombination hot spots suggests that a specific DNA sequence in b, s, f, and q haplotypes may act to promote recombination in the E beta gene and a specific DNA sequence in the p haplotype may act to promote recombination in the E alpha gene.

Molecular studies of murine mutant BALB/c-H-2dm2 define a deletion of several class I genes including the entire H-2Ld gene

Inbred mouse strains carrying spontaneous mutations in class I genes have been extremely informative in studies of the genetic mechanisms generating polymorphism in the major histocompatibility gene complex. In this report, we determine the molecular basis of the spontaneous loss mutation in BALB/c-H-2dm2 mice, which were previously shown not to express Ld antigens while maintaining normal expression of two other class I antigens, Kd and Dd. We show BALB/c-H-2dm2 mice do not transcribe detectable levels of Ld mRNA, indicating they do not produce a truncated Ld molecule as previously reported. Furthermore, in Southern blot comparisons using a series of low-copy genomic probes, the deletion was found to be approximately 140 kilobases and include the entire Ld gene along with three or more other class I genes mapping between Dd and Ld. These data represent direct genetic evidence for a spontaneous contraction in the genes encoding class I histocompatibility antigens, which in this case probably resulted from the misalignment of the 3' flanking regions of the Dd and Ld genes.

Molecular biology of the H-2 histocompatibility complex

The H-2 histocompatibility complex of the mouse is a multigene family, some members of which are essential for the immune response to foreign antigens. The structure and organization of these genes have been established by molecular cloning, and their regulation and function is being defined by expression of the cloned genes.