The mouse Cd83 gene: structure, domain organization, and chromosome localization

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Human CD83 (hCD83) is a cell-surface protein primarily found on dendritic lineage cells.
• Understanding the homologous mouse CD83 (mCD83) is crucial for developing mouse models of immune function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize the genomic locus and cDNA of mouse CD83 (mCD83).
• To investigate the conservation and expression patterns of mCD83 compared to hCD83.
• To establish tools for studying dendritic cell biology in mice.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of the mouse Cd83 genomic locus and gene structure determination.
• Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to isolate mCD83 cDNAs.
• DNA sequencing and sequence comparison between mouse and human CD83.
• Analysis of mCD83 mRNA expression in various mouse tissues.
• Chromosome localization of the Cd83 gene.

Main Results:

• The mouse Cd83 gene spans approximately 19 kb and consists of five exons.
• mCD83 shares 63% amino acid identity with hCD83, with high conservation in transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions.
• mCD83 mRNA (2.4 kb) is abundant in spleen and brain and detectable in most other tissues.
• The Cd83 gene is located on mouse chromosome 13, homologous to human chromosome 6p23.

Conclusions:

• Mouse CD83 is highly conserved with human CD83, suggesting functional importance.
• Widely distributed dendritic cells in mice likely express mCD83, similar to humans.
• The characterized mCD83 cDNA and gene are valuable resources for future research on dendritic cells in mouse models.