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H-Y antigens, testis differentiation, and spermatogenesis.
1Division of Genetics, Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass.
Experimental and Clinical Immunogenetics
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Transplantation H-Y antigen, crucial for mammalian spermatogenesis, differs from serological H-Y antigen, potentially involved in vertebrate gonad differentiation. Genes for transplantation H-Y are on the Y chromosome long arm, while serological H-Y regulation is on the short arm.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Reproductive Biology
- Human Genetics
Background:
- The H-Y antigen is a male-specific histocompatibility antigen.
- Two distinct forms of H-Y antigen are recognized: transplantation H-Y and serological H-Y.
- These forms are defined by different functional assays and antibody characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate between transplantation H-Y and serological H-Y antigens.
- To determine the chromosomal localization of genes responsible for each H-Y antigen type.
- To explore the potential roles of each H-Y antigen in reproductive processes.
Main Methods:
- Graft rejection assays to define transplantation H-Y.
- Cytotoxic T cell assays to characterize transplantation H-Y.
- Antibody-based assays (serological) to characterize serological H-Y.
- Gene mapping studies on the human Y chromosome.
Main Results:
- Transplantation H-Y antigen appears distinct from serological H-Y antigen.
- Genes for transplantation H-Y are localized to the Y chromosome's long arm or centromeric region.
- A regulatory gene for serological H-Y is suggested to be in the Y short arm's distal region.
- Serological H-Y antigen has an estimated molecular weight of approximately 18,000.
Conclusions:
- Transplantation H-Y antigen and serological H-Y antigen are functionally and genetically distinct.
- Transplantation H-Y antigen is likely essential for normal mammalian spermatogenesis.
- Serological H-Y antigen may play a role in vertebrate heterogametic gonad differentiation.