Identification of I-E alpha genes in H-2 recombinant mouse strains by F1 complementation

Nine recombinant H-2 mouse strains with crossovers in the I region between I-E-negative haplotypes f,q and I-E-positive haplotypes p,k were examined for I-E expression by microcytotoxicity dye exclusion assay. These recombinants were found to be negative for I-E expression. There are two possible genotypes in these recombinant mouse strains that could result in lack of I-E expression. Recombinants with crossovers between the E alpha gene and the S region would have both nonexpressed I-E alpha and beta genes (E beta fE alpha f, E beta qE alpha q) and recombinants with crossovers between the E beta and E alpha genes would have a nonexpressed E beta gene (E beta f or E alpha q) and a functional E alpha gene (E alpha k or E alpha p). To distinguish between these possible genotypes these recombinants were crossed to B10.A(4R), which carries a functional E alpha k gene but is I-E-negative due to a nonexpressed E alpha b gene. F1 mice were examined for transcomplementing I-E molecules by immunoprecipitation of 3H-leucine-radiolabeled detergent lysates of spleen cells with a monoclonal I-E antibody (14-4-4). Detection of a transcomplementing I-E molecule was confirmed by immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal antibody (H9-14.8) specific for the I-Ek beta polypeptide chain derived from B10.A(4R) and by tryptic peptide map comparisons. Five recombinant mouse strains were able to complement with B10.A(4R) in F1 mice to generate a transcomplementing I-E molecule, and thus have an expressed I-E alpha gene (E alpha k or E alpha p). Four recombinants did not complement with B10.A(4R) in the F1 expression of I-E molecules, and thus have nonexpressed I-E alpha genes (E alpha f or E alpha q).