This communication reports the DNA level identification of class I and class II sequences associated with 20 RT1 haplotypes which have been assigned previously to eight RT1 groups. Sixteen to 22 bands in genomic blots hybridized with the mouse pH-2III class I cDNA probe. Only the three RT1k haplotypes associated with identical class I restriction fragment patterns. Differences in restriction bands between putatively identical RT1 haplotypes were either less than or equal to 6%, or greater than 50%, suggesting a relatively high level of recombination between serologically identified RT1.A genes and the majority of class I sequences. Restriction fragment patterns associated with three RT1u haplotypes differed by less than 6%. However, intra-RT1a, intra-RT1b, and intra-RT1l restriction fragment differences were between 50 and 64%. In specific cases, different RT1 haplotypes associated with identical class I restriction patterns, e.g., RT1m (MNR) and RT1d (MR); higher resolution confirmed the difference (two bands) between RT1m and RT1d. Results of hybridization with the human DC1 beta probe confirmed that the AVN RT1a and NSD RT1b haplotypes were generated by recombinations within the vicinity of the RT1.B:RT1.D regions. These results demonstrate that a previous classification of RT1 haplotypes was incomplete and did not include the majority of class I and class II sequences which distinguish RT1 haplotypes.
Until recently, the analysis of Class II genes linked to the rat major histocompatibility complex, RT1, has been confined to serologic and electrophoretic analysis of their gene products. To obtain a more definitive estimate of the number and relative polymorphism of RT1 Class II sequences, we performed Southern blot analysis of rat genomic DNA employing human cDNA probes specific for Class II heavy and light chain genes. Southern blots of EcoRI and BamHI digests of genomic DNA from ten inbred strains, expressing eight RT1 haplotypes, were hybridized with the human DQ beta or DR beta cDNA that are homologous to Class II light chain sequences. Four to eight bands were observed to hybridize with the light chain cDNA: band sizes ranged from 2.5 to 28 kb. Restriction fragment patterns were polymorphic; the only identical patterns observed were those associated with RT1 haplotypes with identical RT1.B regions. The number and size of bands hybridizing with DQ beta and DR beta suggested a minimum of four light chain sequences in each haplotype. Southern blots of BamHI and EcoRI digests of genomic DNA from the same strains were hybridized with a DR alpha cDNA that is homologous to Class II heavy chain sequences. All RT1 haplotypes expressed either a 10.0-kb or 13.0-kb band when digested with BamHI, and either a 17-kb or 3.7-kb band when digested with EcoRI. Considerably less polymorphism was detected with the DR alpha probe; this observation is consistent with previously reported limited protein polymorphism of the rat equivalent of the I-E alpha subunit. The size and number of bands hybridizing with the DR alpha probe suggests a minimum of two heavy chain sequences. These observations suggest that the RT1 complex includes more Class II sequences than have been observed in serologic and electrophoretic analyses of Class II gene products. Furthermore, the level of polymorphism of RT1 Class II sequences appears to be comparable with mouse and human Class II sequences.
The RT1m haplotype of MNR rats has been suggested to be a recombinant RT1 haplotype inheriting RT1.A (class I) alleles from RT1a (DA) and RT1.B (class II) alleles from RT1c (AUG). Additional serologic and biochemical assays, however, have suggested that RT1m and RT1c share a single identical RT1.B molecule, although differing in the expression of the second RT1.B molecule. To resolve this contradiction, RT1.B class II molecules, comparable to I-A and I-E molecules in mice, expressed by the RT1c and RT1m haplotypes were immunoprecipitated by cross-reactive mouse anti-Ia antibodies and were compared by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and by high pressure liquid chromatographic separation of tryptic peptides. Respective subunits expressed by the two haplotypes co-migrate on two-dimensional gels and have identical tryptic peptide maps. The results at the protein level were confirmed at the DNA level by Southern blot analysis of MNR and AUG genomic DNA. Identical restriction fragments associated with the RT1m and RT1c haplotypes hybridized with each of the DC1 beta, DR alpha, and DR beta cDNA probes. The results at both the protein and DNA levels suggest that the RT1m and RT1c haplotypes share identical expressed alleles at the RT1.Ba, RT1.Bb, RT1.Bc, and RT1.Bd loci.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.