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Updated: May 10, 2026
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Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation
Published on: April 15, 2011
Expression of complement proteins C2 and factor B in transfected L cells
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|October 1, 1985
Summary
This study shows that human and mouse complement genes, Factor B and C2, are organized similarly in the MHC. DNA transfer into mouse cells revealed comparable Factor B expression and identified interspecies variations, while C2 expression was also confirmed.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Factor B and C2 are similar complement proteins located in the MHC class III region.
- Understanding their organization and expression is crucial for immunology research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chromosomal organization and gene expression of human and murine Factor B and C2.
- To utilize DNA-mediated gene transfer for analyzing complement gene regulation.
Main Methods:
- Restriction endonuclease digestion of cosmid DNAs.
- DNA-mediated gene transfer of human and murine Factor B and C2 genes into mouse L cells.
- Analysis of Factor B and C2 RNA and protein expression.
Main Results:
- Murine and human Factor B and C2 genes exhibit similar chromosomal organization within the MHC class III region.
- Transfected mouse L cells expressed both human and murine Factor B, mirroring native expression levels.
- Interspecies variations in Factor B were accurately reproduced in mouse cells.
- Mouse L cells expressed C2 independently of gene transfer, but also showed expression of transferred human C2, including a distinct RNA transcript and active protein secretion.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the conserved organization of the murine and human MHC class III regions.
- DNA-mediated gene transfer of C2 and Factor B provides a valuable model for studying complement gene regulation in normal and deficient states.
