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Signals controlling alternative splicing of major histocompatibility complex H-2 class I pre-mRNA

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Abstract

The use of alternative splice acceptor sites during the removal of intron 7 in pre-mRNA splicing produces two forms of H-2Kb protein: the predominant form, derived from a transcript that has spliced at the upstream splice acceptor site for exon 8 (long exon 8), and a Kb molecule derived from a transcript that has spliced at the downstream acceptor site for exon 8 (short exon 8). We have identified a potential lariat branch point adenosine for the upstream acceptor splice site. This adenosine is found 28 by from the splice junction and is contained in the sequence AGTGATGG. D-region genes, which use only the downstream splice site, have the sequence AGTGGTGG. We have used in vitro mutagenesis to change this A of the H-2K b gene to G and have made the reciprocal change in H-2D d. Elimination of this adenosine in H-2K b alters the pattern of pre-mRNA splicing and results in a predominance of the Kb molecules with short exon 8 encoded sequences. However, the addition of an adenosine in H-2D d is not sufficient to direct splicing to the upstream site.

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Author notes

  1. James McCluskey

    Present address: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Monash University, Commercial Road, 3181, Victoria, Australia

  2. Andrew M. Lew

    Present address: The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Post Office, 3050, Victoria, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Resources Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 20892, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Diane E. Handy, Andrew M. Lew & John E. Coligan

  2. Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 20892, Bethesda, MD, USA

    James McCluskey & David H. Margulies

Authors
  1. Diane E. Handy
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  2. James McCluskey
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  3. Andrew M. Lew
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  4. John E. Coligan
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  5. David H. Margulies
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Handy, D.E., McCluskey, J., Lew, A.M. et al. Signals controlling alternative splicing of major histocompatibility complex H-2 class I pre-mRNA. Immunogenetics 28, 81–90 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346155

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346155

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