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Mta, the maternally transmitted antigen, is determined jointly by the chromosomal Hmt and the extrachromosomal Mtf
Abstract:
Mus spretus from four stocks, originating in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, were tested for the maternally transmitted antigen, Mta. All expressed a variant form not found in other species of mice. Analysis of appropriate crosses with inbred mice showed that the spretus form of Mta is determined by a new allele, c, of the Hmt gene. The Hmtc allele has been isolated in coupling with four different H-2 haplotypes. It is possible to raise CTL specific for the spretus form of Mta. The maternally transmitted factor, Mtf alpha s, of spretus mice determines, in conjunction with the Hmta allele of C57BL/6, an Mta that is indistinguishable from the common form found in C57BL/6 and most other inbred mice. Our experiments show that the specificity of the cell surface antigen Mta is governed jointly by the cytoplasmic gene Mtf and the chromosomal gene Hmt. We propose that Hmt encodes a class I histocompatibility antigen that acts as a restricting element for the Mtf gene product, thus meeting the requirements of T killer cell recognition.
Insights
Researchers identified a new variant of the maternally transmitted antigen (Mta) in Mus spretus mice. This discovery reveals a joint genetic control of Mta specificity by cytoplasmic and chromosomal genes.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Maternal inheritance
- Histocompatibility antigens
Background:
- Maternally transmitted antigen (Mta) plays a role in immune recognition.
- Genetic basis and variability of Mta across different mouse species are not fully understood.
- Mus spretus mice exhibit unique immunological characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of the maternally transmitted antigen (Mta) in Mus spretus mice.
- To characterize the variant Mta form found in Mus spretus.
- To elucidate the interaction between cytoplasmic and chromosomal factors in Mta specificity.
Main Methods:
- Testing of Mus spretus stocks from Spain, Portugal, and Morocco for Mta expression.
- Analysis of genetic crosses between Mus spretus and inbred mice.
- Isolation of the Hmtc allele and its association with H-2 haplotypes.
- Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for the spretus Mta variant.
Main Results:
- All Mus spretus stocks expressed a unique variant form of Mta.
- The spretus Mta variant is determined by a new allele, Hmtc, of the Hmt gene.
- The Hmtc allele was found in conjunction with four different H-2 haplotypes.
- A maternally transmitted factor (Mtf alpha s) interacts with the Hmt allele to produce Mta.
Conclusions:
- The specificity of the cell surface antigen Mta is co-determined by the cytoplasmic Mtf gene and the chromosomal Hmt gene.
- The Hmt gene likely encodes a class I histocompatibility antigen acting as a restricting element for the Mtf gene product.
- This interaction is crucial for T killer cell recognition of Mta.