# BIOCHEMISTRY & EXPRESSION OF Q/TL REGION GENE PRODUCTS

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 1992 · $228,394

## Abstract

Antigens encoded or controlled by the Qa/Tla region are restricted to cells
of the hematopoietic lineage and serve as phenotypic markers of distinct
lymphocyte subpopulations.  Recent reports, however, suggest that Qa/Tla
encoded antigens may also be selectively expressed in other cell types.
Although no functions have been ascribed to these differentiation antigens,
several of the Qa/Tla antigens do have evolutionary and structural features
in common with the class I major transplantation antigens which are
integral components in the regulation of immune responses.  Seven antigens
and their respective loci have been identified in the Qa/Tla complex; other
as yet undefined class I loci exist in this region based on DNA
hybridization experiments.  This proposal is concerned with the biochemical
analysis of the TL, Qa-1 and Qa-2/4 antigens and the definition and
elucidation of other novel alloantigens encoded within the Qa/Tla region.
The role of carbohydrate in the chemical structure, cell surface expression
and alloantigenicity will be examined using tunicamycin and various
glycosidases.  The nature and extent of structural polymorphism that exists
among the four defined Qa-1 allelic products will be studied using
2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and comparative peptide mapping.  We plan
to analyze the structural relationships among the Qa-1 antigens, the H-2Kf,
-Df antigens, and a 60-75K protein encoded by mice of the H-2f, Qa-1d
genotype.  We have recently reported that the TL antigen, thought to be a
cell surface marker restricted to thymocytes, is expressed by both mitogen
and alloantigen activated peripheral T lymphocytes.  A major focus of this
proposal is the further biochemical and flow cytometric investigation of TL
expressed on different lymphoid subpopulations and by different Tla
alleles.  Experiments addressing the mechanisms of induction/derepression
of TL expression and possible insights into functions of TL in immune
responses are also described.  The biochemical structure of the Qa-4
alloantigen and its relationship to the Qa-2 antigen will be examined using
a monoclonal anti-Qa-4 antibody.  Finally, we intend to continue our
monoclonal antibody program to generate monoclonal reagents to the
previously defined and to novel Qa/Tla gene products.  These proposed
experiments should aid in unraveling the genetic and structural complexity
of the Qa/Tla region.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3127510
- **Project number:** 5R01AI017897-11
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FXKMA43NTV21
- **Principal Investigator:** RICHARD G COOK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $228,394
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-04-01 → 1993-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3127510

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3127510, BIOCHEMISTRY & EXPRESSION OF Q/TL REGION GENE PRODUCTS (5R01AI017897-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3127510. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*