title: The nucleotide sequence and evolution of ovine MHC class II B genes: DQB and DRB.
abstract: The nucleotide sequences of one Ovar-DQB gene, excluding exon 1 and parts of the introns, and one Ovar-DRB pseudogene are presented. The structure of the Ovar-DQB gene is typical of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II B gene and demonstrates considerable sequence similarity with that of humans including such characteristics as the less common polyadenylation signal, ATTAAA. The ovine sequence has a typical 5' acceptor splice signal for exon 5, thus potentially encoding a full length cytoplasmic tail. The Ovar-DRB gene identified in this study was found to be a pseudogene, lacking a defined exon 2 and containing premature termination codons in both exons 3 and 4. The 3' donor splice site of exon 3 is also atypical. A purine-pyrimidine microsatellite repeat, (dC.dA)15, in the 3' region of the pseudogene may be a hotspot for recombination within the ovine DR subregion.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Animal Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Maddox
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Gogolin-Ewens
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Brandon
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002417:Cattle; D005091:Exons; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012756:Sheep / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens