Abstract
Molecular genetic analysis of the murine MHC reveals that the class I gene family is far larger than expected from immunogenetic analysis of class I polypeptides. Of approximately 30 class I genes present in mouse DNA most are located telomeric to the H-2 regions in the adjacent Qa and Tla regions. Although it is not yet known how many class I genes from the Qa and Tla regions are expressed to produce class I polypeptides, evidence is accumulating that at least some of these genes encode polypeptides whose structure, and presumably function, is very different from the H-2K, D and L class I polypeptides. Here, Andrew Mellor reviews the structural data which reveals the unexpeted complexity of the class I gene family, particularly in the Qa and Tla regions. He discusses how molecular cloning and analysis of these genes are providing evidence that class I genes in these regions encode polypeptides which are highly homologous to the classical H-2 antigens but which are structurally and functionally quite distinct from them.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 19-24 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Immunology Today |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1986 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology