Thymic expression of the golli-myelin basic protein gene in the SJL/J mouse.
The T cell antigen-specific repertoire is thought to be shaped by thymic expression of self molecules. Since a myelin basic protein (MBP)-like gene (golli-MBP) has been reported to be expressed by cells of the immune system, the present study was undertaken to determine whether the golli-MBP gene was expressed in the mouse thymus and, if so, to characterize transcripts of this gene in this organ. Using exon-specific primers for MBP and golli-MBP, cDNA from thymus and other tissues was amplified, and the amplified products analyzed by Southern blotting with exon-specific oligonucleotide probes. The amplified products were subcloned, and the inserts characterized by DNA sequencing. The thymic transcripts were found to contain golli-MBP exons 1, 2, 3, 5A, 5B, 5C, 6, 7, 8, and 11.
Fritz
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RB
Department of Microbiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA.
Kalvakolanu
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I
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000378:metabolism*
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D012333:RNA, Messenger