| First Author | Watts S | Year | 1989 |
| Journal | EMBO J | Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 6 | Pages | 1749-59 |
| PubMed ID | 2767053 | Mgi Jnum | J:20108 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:68221 | Doi | 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1989.tb03568.x |
| Citation | Watts S, et al. (1989) Organization and structure of the Qa genes of the major histocompatibility complex of the C3H mouse: implications for Qa function and class I evolution. EMBO J 8(6):1749-59 |
| abstractText | We have determined the structure and organization of the entire Qa family of class I genes from the major histocompatibility complex of the C3H mouse. Restriction maps of overlapping lambda and cosmid clones reveal that there are only five Qak genes: Q1k, Q2k, Q4k, Q10k and a Q5/9 hybrid, presumably generated by unequal homologous recombination. The resulting deletion of Q6-Q9 is consistent with the Qa-2null phenotype of this mouse strain. We have sequenced the Qak genes, and predict that each may encode a class I molecule with a structure comparable with that proposed for the transplantation antigens. Furthermore, these Qa products should be able to bind peptides and interact with appropriate T-cell receptors. Interestingly, in comparing Qak and H-2k sequences, we find limited evidence of interlocus gene conversion between Qa and H-2 loci, suggesting that the Qa genes are not likely to serve as a reservoir of genetic information for the generation of H-2 diversity within this haplotype. |
