# T CELL RESPONSES TO NON-H-2 ANTIGENS OF CHROMOSOME 17

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 1989 · $211,348

## Abstract

We request renewal of support for our studies of genes and gene
products of the murine major histocompatibility complex encoded
telomeric to H-2D.  The work will focus on two specific antigens
of the TL region, Qa-1 and Mta, epitopes of which are best
defined by cloned cytolytic T cells (CTL).

Mta is a unique maternally transmitted cell surface antigen that
has immunological properties of a class I H-2 molecule.  However,
expression of Mta is determined by both nuclear and non-nuclear
genes.  One gene, Hmt, maps to the TL region, but antigenic
polymorphism is controlled by a maternally transmitted genetic
element, Mtf.   Our previous studies strongly implicate
mitochondria in Mtf expression.  We will investigate the gene
encoding Mtf in somatic cell hybrids constructed with
mitochondria from two parents and codominantly expressing
alternative forms of the antigen, as well as in cell lines into which
mitochondria have been introduced by microinjection.  These
experiments will directly test the hypothesis that Mta expression
is linked to the mitochondrial genome.  In order to identify the
nuclear gene, Hmt, we will utilize retrovirus-mediated insertional
mutagenesis coupled with selection protocols based on loss of
susceptibility to Mta-specific CTL clones.  A strategy is proposed
for identification of mutants in Hmt disrupted by the integrated
retrovirus and for recovery, cloning and characterization of the
Hmt gene.

In contrast to Mta, Qa-1 is a typical class I H-2 molecule.
However, the gene for Qa-1 has not yet been identified.  This will
similarly be approached employing retrovirus-mediated insertional
mutagenesis in Qa-1 heterozygous cell lines.  Recent data
demonstrate that Qa-1 expression is regulated by an additional
locus or loci.  One locus, probably in the H-2D region, is
associated with low expression of Qa-1 and a second dominant
gene restores expression.  Breeding studies to map these genes are
proposed with an eventual goal of molecular characterization of
these class I regulatory elements.

Together, the proposed studies will employ novel approaches and
techniques to explore fundamental issues in cell biology and
immunology.  We believe they will substantially enhance our
understanding of the structure and function of these poorly
understood class I molecules of the 17th chromosome, as well as
our appreciation of the biological functions of the mitochondrial
genome.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3128286
- **Project number:** 5R01AI018882-07
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FXKMA43NTV21
- **Principal Investigator:** ROBERT R. RICH
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $211,348
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-04-01 → 1991-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3128286

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3128286, T CELL RESPONSES TO NON-H-2 ANTIGENS OF CHROMOSOME 17 (5R01AI018882-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3128286. Licensed CC0.

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