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Genes of the major histocompatibility complex in laboratory rats

Reference	BBS/E/B/00001174
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Geoff Butcher
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	281,907
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	30/09/2000
End date	28/02/2005
Duration	53 months

Abstract

In all vertebrate species so far studied an extensive cluster of genes involved in the immune response has been identified. This has been named Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) on account of the leading role that it also plays in provoking the rejection of grafts transplanted between members of the same species. Some of these MHC genes encode cell-surface proteins called MHC class I and II molecules which can bind peptides and 'present' them to T lymphocytes, thereby provoking immune responses, or which regulate the activity of Natural Killer lymphocytes. Other MHC genes participate in the generation of peptides for presentation or in other aspects of immunity. The project aims to accumulate detailed knowledge of the MHC in the laboratory rat, which is a major species for enquiring into the basis of immunological disease in mammals. Genes encoding molecules of the MHC of Rattus norvegicus will be identified and studies to establish gene order conducted. With regard to MHC class I molecules, information on natural expression levels, sequence orthologies within and outside the species, polymorphism and function in peptide presentation to T cells and activation or inhibition of NK cells will be sought. A key point of interest is to establish the degree of divergence of the rat and the mouse within the class I system, in which some marked differences have already been noted.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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