Molecular cloning of bovine class I MHC cDNA

Two cDNA cloned from a Hereford cow B cell line (BL-3) have allowed the determination of the complete coding region for two class I molecules encoded by the bovine MHC (BoLA). The predicted protein sequences have all the features expected of expressed class I molecules that present peptide Ag to cytotoxic T cells. Comparison with class I molecules from other species strongly suggests these cDNA are derived from different genes and provides evidence for the existence of a second expressed class I BoLA locus. The BoLA proteins show greater similarity to HLA than to H-2 molecules, correlating with the cross-reactions of W6/32 and other murine anti-HLA-A,B,C mAb with BoLA molecules. The basis for the W6/32 epitope and the preferential association of H-2 class I H chains with bovine beta 2-m is examined.