title: cDNA clones coding for the heavy chain of human HLA-DR antigen.
abstract: Two cDNA clones, pDRH1 and pDRH2, containing sequences specific for human HLA-DR antigens were isolated from a bank of cDNA clones made from partially purified HLA-DR mRNA from the human lymphoblastoid cell line Maja. The clones were specific for the Mr 34,000 HLA-DR antigen glycoprotein chain. The identity of these clones was established by (i) their ability to hybridize specifically to HLA-DR mRNA in a positive selection assay; (ii) mRNA species hybridizing to the cDNA clones were expressed in B-cell but not in T-cell or fibroblast cell cultures; and (iii) a nucleotide sequence in the longer clone, pDRH2, could be translated into an amino acid sequence that is identical to the limited NH2-terminal amino acid sequence available for the purified HLA-DR antigen Mr 34,000 chain. Analysis of DNA from human, mouse, and human--mouse somatic cell hybrid lines by Southern transfer of restriction endonuclease digests indicated that the HLA-DR heavy chain is encoded in chromosome 6. This finding is compatible with the location of at least one of the HLA-D/DR heavy chain genes within the HLA region. In addition, the sequences coding for HLA-DR heavy chain appear to be present in only one or a few copies in the genome and to be relatively simple in structure.
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D002474:Cell-Free System; D002906:Chromosomes, Human, 6-12 and X; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010957:Plasmids; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D004247:DNA