title: Structure and expression of the mouse beta 2-microglobulin gene isolated from somatic and non-expressing teratocarcinoma cells.
abstract: Mouse teratocarcinoma cells express neither H-2 heavy chains nor beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m). We have constructed two genomic libraries, one from PCC4-aza-RI embryonal carcinoma cells and the other from their adult syngenic counterpart 129/Sv liver cells (H-2bc). The libraries were screened with a full length mouse beta 2-m cDNA probe which we isolated and sequenced. Two cosmid clones carrying the entire beta 2-m gene were isolated, one from each library. There was no detectable difference in structure between the two genes. Furthermore, both were shown to be active and to restore beta 2-m synthesis upon transfer into mutant cells deficient in beta 2-m. Irreversible DNA alterations in or around the beta 2-m gene are thus unlikely to account for the lack of beta 2-m gene expression in embryonal teratocarcinoma cells.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005796:Genes; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D013724:Teratoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D004247:DNA