Identification of a mouse male-specific transplantation antigen, H-Y.
The male-specific transplantation antigen, H-Y, causes rejection of male tissue grafts by genotypically identical female mice and contributes to the rejection of human leukocyte antigen-matched male organ grafts by human females. Although first recognized 40 years ago, the identity of H-Y has remained elusive. T cells detect several distinct H-Y epitopes, and these are probably peptides, derived from intracellular proteins, that are presented at the cell surface with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. In the mouse, the gene(s) controlling H-Y expression (Hya) are located on the short arm of the Y chromosome between the zinc-finger genes Zfy-1 and Zfy-2. We have recently identified Smcy, a ubiquitously expressed gene, in this region and its X-chromosome homologue, Smcx. Here we report that Smcy encodes an H-YKk epitope that is defined by the octamer peptide TENSGKDI: no similar peptide is found in Smcx. These findings provide a genetic basis for the antigenic difference between males and females that contributes towards a tissue transplant rejection response.
Scott
D M
DM
MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Ehrmann
I E
IE
Ellis
P S
PS
Bishop
C E
CE
Agulnik
A I
AI
Simpson
E
E
Mitchell
M J
MJ
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003360:Cosmids; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D006182:H-Y Antigen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014960:X Chromosome; D014998:Y Chromosome; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000235:genetics
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000939:Epitopes; D006182:H-Y Antigen; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C501342:Zfy1 protein, mouse; C501343:Zfy2 protein, mouse