Molecular structure of the gene products of the human HLA system: isolation and characterization of HLA-A, -B, -C, and Ia antigens

M. J. Crumpton, D. Snary, F. S. Walsh, C. J. Barnstable, P. N. Goodfellow, E. A. Jones, W. F. Bodmer

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14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The major histocompatibility region of man (HLA) codes for two groups of polymorphic cell surface membrane antigens. One group comprises the products of the A, B and C loci. The second group represents the Ia (immune-associated) antigens, some of which show a close association with the D locus. The strategy employed for the isolation of these antigens and the establishment of their molecular structures is reviewed. The A, B and C antigens are composed of a 43 000 molecular mass glycosylated polypeptide which carries the polymorphic specificities and which is non-covalently linked to a non-glycosylated polypeptide of molecular mass 12 000, namely β2-microglobulin. Structural analyses indicate that the A and B antigens have arisen by gene duplication and that the C gene(s) probably arose from the A gene(s). The Ia antigens do not contain β2-microglobulin but comprise two non-covalently linked glycosylated polypeptides of molecular masses 33 000 and 28 000. Only the 33 000 molecular mass chain is apparently a product of the HLA region.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)159-175
Number of pages17
JournalUnknown Journal
Volume202
Issue number1146
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1978

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • General Environmental Science
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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