# T-CELL GAMMA CHAIN GENES AND THE IMMUNE RESPONSE

> **NIH NIH R01** · HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL · 1989 · $273,165

## Abstract

The murine I-A region gene products are cell surface antigens that may play
a role in determining the immune response capabilities of the mouse.
Considerable genetic and biochemical analyses of these polypeptides has
already been performed.  The I-A region gene products can be precipitated
by alloantiserum and monoclonal antibodies.  There are three chains
associated with I-A--alpha, beta and invariant chain.  Two of these chains,
alpha (32,000 daltons) and beta (28,000 daltons) are polymorphic, while the
invariant chain is not polymorphic among the inbred mouse strains.  Since
the alpha and beta chains are polymorphic they can be mapped genetically.
Both of these chains are encoded in the major histocompatibility locus
between H2-K and H2-D genes.  We hope to better understand the organization
of the genes that encode the alpha and beta chains.  Unfortunately, the
genes encoding these I-A polypeptides have not been amenable to recombinant
DNA technologies.  Because these cell surface antigens are made in very
small amounts (less than 0.1% of the total cell protein) their mRNAs are
rare, obtaining cDNA clones corresponding to these mRNAs has been
difficult.  Recently, we have developed a procedure for cloning a rare mRNA
whose in vitro translation product can be detected (PNAs, April 1981).
This procedure involves the rapid screening of large numbers of cDNA clones
for their ability to select the desired mRNA.  Furthermore, we have been
able to detect the alpha and beta chains that are synthesized in Xenopus
oocytes after injection of mRNA.  Thus, we are confident that we will be
able to clone the cDNAs for I-A alpha and beta chains.  Using these cDNA
probes we propose to identify and characterize the I-A genes.  These
studies should further our understanding of the mechanisms by which immune
responses are regulated.  Also, we should learn the basis for the extensive
polymorphism of these genes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3127942
- **Project number:** 5R01AI018436-08
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** JDLVAVGYJQ21
- **Principal Investigator:** JONATHAN G SEIDMAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $273,165
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1982-02-01 → 1990-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3127942

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3127942, T-CELL GAMMA CHAIN GENES AND THE IMMUNE RESPONSE (5R01AI018436-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3127942. Licensed CC0.

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