Isolation of chicken major histocompatibility complex class II (B-L) beta chain sequences: comparison with mammalian beta chains and expression in lymphoid organs.

Abstract

By cross‐hybridization in low stringency conditions, using a probe derived from an HLA‐DQ beta cDNA clone, we have isolated several chicken genomic DNA clones. These clones were mapped to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the chick (B complex) by virtue of their ability to detect restriction enzyme length polymorphisms between congenic lines of chicken. Evidence was obtained for the presence of at least three B‐L beta genes in the chicken genome. The B‐L beta genes are transcribed specifically in tissues containing cells of the B lymphocyte and myeloid lineages and expressing the B‐L antigens. Exons encoding the beta 1, beta 2 and transmembrane domains of a B‐L beta chain have been identified with 63, 66 and 62% similarity with the HLA‐DQ beta sequence. This first isolation of an MHC class II gene outside of the mammalian class provides insight into the evolution of MHC genes based on the comparison of avian and mammalian class II beta chain amino acid and nucleotide sequences.

An Mhc Component to Kin Recognition and Mate Choice in Birds: Predictions, Progress, and Prospects

“…Still, over 10 yr since the first chicken Mhc genes were cloned (Bourlet et al 1988), there are few data bearing on this intriguing prospect. We believe the slow progress in the area of Mhc molecular ecology lies in the often daunting complexity of the Mhc in birds (Westerdahl et al 1999;Wittzell et al 1999a;Edwards et al 2000a).…”

Analysis of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms of the Major Histocompatibility Complex of 15I5-B-Congenic Chicken Lines

“…Chicken MHC probes used in this study were generously provided by C. Auffray.5 The chicken Oass IT (B-Lf}) probe, designated p234, was prepared by screening a chicken genomic library with a human DQP probe at low stringency (Behar et al, 1988;Bourlet et al, 1988). This ~ chain probe consists of 234 base pairs and encodes most of the f3z exon of a chicken Class IT(} gene and does not include any intron sequences.…”

“…Because the primary genetic control of immunological functions resides in the B-FIB-L subregions and recombinants have been reported between the B-G and the B-F/B-L subregions (HaJ.a et al, 1981;Briles et al, 1982), it is important to have a method of evaluating the B-F and B-L subregions that is independent of B-G. Recent application of molecular genetic techniques to analysis of the chicken B complex has enabled the cloning of B-G , B-F Skjoedt et al, 1988), and B-L genes (Kivela et al, 1987;Bourlet et al, 1988;Xu et al, 1989). The availability of specific chicken DNA probes for subregions of the B complex facilitates the genetic analysis of B complex variation at the DNA level by examination of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) (Lamont et al, 1987;HMa et al, 1988;Miller et al, 1988;Chausse et al, 1989;Pitcovski et al, 1989;.…”

A New Marker on Chicken Hematopoietic Cells isDefined by a Monoclonal Antibody Raised Against a V ßChain of the Human TCR

“…The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the chicken, the B locus, is known to contain three genetic subregions identified as B-F, B-L, and B-G (Miller et al, 1988;Guillemot et al, 1989). The B-F and B-L subregions encode *Corresponding author. antigens that correspond to mammalian class I and class II antigens, respectively (Guillemot et al, 1988). The third region is tightly linked to B-F and B-L. At first, B-G antigens have been considered to be erythrocyte-specific (Longenecker and Mosmann, 1980;Salomonsen et al, 1987 (Salomonsen et al, 1991).…”