# MOLECULAR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE HLA SYSTEM

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 1987 · $161,889

## Abstract

This proposal is a continuation of our efforts to characterize, using
molecular genetics, the class I gene family of the human major
histocompatibility complex (MHC).  In addition to maintaining the
transplantation barrier between individuals, molecules encoded by the MHC
have a central role in regulating the immune response.  The class I loci
constitute a multigene family whose hallmark is a high level of
polymorphism.  We will continue to focus our attention on the class I gene
family of lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) 721.  LCL 721 was chosen because
of the large number of HLA deletion mutants which have been derived from it
by Dr. DeMars of the University of Wisconsin.  These mutants have been used
to map DNA fragments to the known HLA-A and -B alleles of LCL 721 (26).
Two of these, HLA-A2 and -A1 will be cloned and sequenced as a beginning in
understanding the molecular basis of HLA polymorphism.  Our mapping studies
have also identified class I-like sequences located telomeric to HLA-A2
(19), as an analogous position relative to the MHC as the murine QA-Tla
genes.  In order to ascertain the relationship between the human class
I-like telomeric sequences and the murine Qa-Tla genes, we will obtain
genomic clones of the telomeric segments.  These will then be subjected to
DNA sequencing and studies directed at determining if these sequences
include expressed genes.  An important aspect will be to determine the
tissue distribution of any class I-like genes found to be expresses.
Understanding the relationship to the murine Qa-Tla genes of the human
class I-like DNA located telomerically to HLA should help to identify
useful markers of human lymphocyte differentiation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3127698
- **Project number:** 5R01AI018124-07
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** KABJZBBJ4B54
- **Principal Investigator:** Harry T. Orr
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $161,889
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-08-01 → 1989-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3127698

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3127698, MOLECULAR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE HLA SYSTEM (5R01AI018124-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3127698. Licensed CC0.

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