Recombination and mutation of class II histocompatibility genes in wild mice

E. K. Wakeland, B. R. Darby

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have compared the tryptic peptide fingerprints of the A(α), A(β), E(α), and E(β) subunits encoded by four wild-derived H-2 complexes expressing A molecules closely related to A(k). The A molecules encoded by these A(k)-related mice have A(α) and A(β) subunits that differs from A(α)(k) and A(β)(k) by less than 10% of their tryptic peptides. Comparisons among the four wild-derived A molecules suggested that these contemporary A(α) and A(β) alleles arose by sequential mutational events from common ancestor A(α) and A(β) alleles. These results suggest that A(α) and A(β) may co-evolve as an A(β)A(α) gene duplex in wild mice. Tryptic peptide fingerprint comparisons of the E(β) gene linked to these A(k)-related A(β)A(α) gene duplexes indicate that two encode E(β)(d)-like subunits, whereas another encodes an E(β)(s)-like subunit. ------- These results strongly suggest that the A(β)A(α) duplex and E(β) recombine in wild mouse populations. The significantly different evolutionary patterns exhibited by the class II genes encoding A vs E molecules are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3052-3057
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume131
Issue number6
StatePublished - 1983

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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