title: Transcription of major histocompatibility complex class I (Kb) and transporter associated with antigen processing 1 and 2 genes is up-regulated with age.
abstract: The transporter associated with antigen processing 1 and 2 (TAP1 and TAP2) genes belong to the ATP-binding cassette family of transporter genes. They provide peptides necessary for the assembly of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules by transporting these peptides into the endoplasmic reticulum. As MHC class I protein expression increases with age, we have explored the effect of age on the transcription of MHC class I genes (Kb) and TAP1 and TAP2 genes in C57BL/6 mice. Blood and spleen lymphocytes were isolated from mice aged from 3 months to over 24 months. RNA was extracted and mRNA for Kb, TAP1, TAP2 was quantified using slot-blot hybridization followed by densitometry. There was a parallel age-related increase (1.5-fold) in blood lymphocyte mRNA of these genes from 3 months to 21 months. In mice over 24 months old there was a decrease in Kb and TAP1 mRNA, but an increase in TAP2 mRNA. In spleen lymphocytes an age-related increase in all three mRNA species occurred throughout life. While MHC class I and Tap genes underwent very similar age-related changes, MHC class I mRNA was about 50 times more abundant than either TAP1 or TAP2 mRNA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, North-eastern University, Boston, MA, USA. assoungaa@ukzn.ac.za
authors.forename: Alain G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Assounga
authors.forename: Carol M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Warner
mesh_terms: D000071181:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2; D000071450:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000276:immunology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000071181:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2; D000071450:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C486171:Tap1 protein, mouse; C489516:Tap2 protein, mouse