Expression of the Q8/9d gene by T cells of the mouse.
The Q genes, specifying Qa antigens and situated in the extended part of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the mouse, comprise a subgroup of MHC class I genes whose significance and function are still largely unknown. In screening a cDNA library made from the BALB/c inducer T-cell line Cl.Ly1-T1, we isolated 11 clones representing Q8/9, but none representing Q6 or Q7. Confirmatory evidence is given that the Q8/9 gene originated from fusion of the 5' region of the Q8 gene with the 3' region of the Q9 gene at a recombination site or hot spot in the vicinity of intron 4. Contrary to previous impressions that Q8/9 is an inert pseudogene, we find that the Q8/9 gene can be functional and encode a Qa-2, 3 antigen. One variety of the 11 Q8/9 clones isolated lacked exon 5, which encodes the transmembrane domain of class I glycoproteins, and thus may account for secretion of a soluble form of Qa-2, 3 antigen thought to be released by activated T cells.
Matsuura
A
A
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021.
Schloss
R
R
Shen
F W
FW
Tung
J S
JS
Hunt
S W
SW
Fisher
D A
DA
Hood
L E
LE
Boyse
E A
EA
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005796:Genes; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012326:RNA Splicing; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C032907:Q surface antigens; D004247:DNA