The identification and cloning of the murine genes encoding the liver specific F alloantigens

J Autoimmun. 1991 Dec;4(6):857-70. doi: 10.1016/0896-8411(91)90049-i.

Abstract

The liver specific F alloantigen is a highly conserved abundant protein found in hepatic cytoplasm; smaller amounts are detected in renal tubule cells and the perikaryon cells of the central nervous system. Although the biological function of the F alloantigen is unknown, the immune response to F has been extensively studied as a murine model of tolerance and autoimmunity. Murine F exists in two allelic forms, designated F type 1 and type 2, each of approximately 43 kDa. The immune response to the allotypic form is restricted to mouse strains of I-Ak. Responding strains immunized with allotypic F break tolerance and produce precipitating antibody that reacts with both allelic forms, i.e., immunogen and self. Thus an autoantibody is produced. Using the previously isolated rat F cDNA as a probe, we report the cloning and sequencing of the two murine F allotypes. These two alleles are nearly homologous except at the extremes of the coding sequence. There are a number of regions within the F sequence that are similar to peptides that interact specifically with I-Ak. In particular, there is a sequence near the carboxy terminus, where the two allotypes differ, that has homology to the I-Ak restricted malarial antigen peptide of the ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA).

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA Probes
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Immunization
  • Isoantigens / genetics*
  • Isoantigens / isolation & purification
  • Liver / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

Substances

  • DNA Probes
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Isoantigens
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • liver specific F antigen