title: Cluster of TRIM genes in the human MHC class I region sharing the B30.2 domain.
abstract: The major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a region of high gene density, contains a large number of genes relevant to the immune response, belonging to different multigenic families. We studied the genomic organization and polymorphism of a set of genes in the MHC class I region containing the tripartite motif (TRIM), consisting of a RING domain, B-box and coiled coil region, and a B30.2-like domain. A cluster of seven genes at 6p21.33 and two related family members telomeric of the cluster were characterized. All MHC-encoded TRIM-B30.2 genes showed moderate levels of polymorphism, affecting predominantly the RING and B-box domains. In terms of structure, the genes varied by the loss of partial and, in some cases, complete domains. They were strongly conserved in exons 2, 3 and 4, which form the coiled-coil region. The last exon, encoding the B30.2-like domain, is shared with the otherwise unrelated butyrophilin-like (BTN) genes, located 4.3 Mb telomeric of the TRIM-B30.2 cluster. The data are consistent with multiple, ancient duplications giving rise to a set of related genes.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Division, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gaudieri
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trowsdale
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D002896:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary
chemical_list: D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens