Evolution of the MHC class I genes of a New World primate from ancestral homologues of human non-classical genes.
The products of the classical human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes (HLA-A, -B, -C) are highly polymorphic molecules that bind peptides and present them to T lymphocytes. The non-polymorphic, non-classical MHC class I gene products (HLA-E, -F, -G) are not restricting elements for the majority of T lymphocytes. The evolutionary relationship of the non-classical and classical MHC class I genes is unclear. Here we present the cloning and sequencing of the MHC class I genes of a New World primate, the cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus). The expressed MHC class I genes of this species are more closely related to the human non-classical HLA-G gene than they are to genes of the human classical HLA-A, -B, and -C loci. These observations imply that classical and non-classical genes do not necessarily constitute mutually exclusive groups over evolutionary time.
Watkins
D I
DI
Harvard Medical School, New England Regional Primate Research Center, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772.
Chen
Z W
ZW
Hughes
A L
AL
Evans
M G
MG
Tedder
T F
TF
Letvin
N L
NL
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002143:Callitrichinae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005796:Genes; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny
D006680:HLA Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D004247:DNA