Gene order in the major histocompatibility complex of the rat

Abstract

The loci in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the rat which code for class I and class II antigens—RT1.A and RT1.B, respectively — have previously been separated by laboratory-derived recombinants and by observations in inbred and wild rats. Closely linked to the MHC is the growth and reproduction complex (Grc) which contains genes influencing body size (dw-3) and fertility (ft). These phenotypic markers were used in this study to orient the A and B loci of the MHC. Two recombinants were used for mapping. The BIL(R1) animal is a recombinant between the MHC and Grc, and it carries the haplotype RT1.A^lB^lGrc⁺. The r10 animal is an intra-MHC recombinant, and it has the haplotype RT1.AⁿB¹Grc. These recombinants were characterized serologically, by mixed lymphocyte reactivity, by immune responsiveness to poly (Glu⁵²Lys³³Tyr¹⁵) and by the presence of the dw-3 gene. The data demonstrate that the gene order of the loci is: dw-3-RT1.B-RT1.A.