Molecular cloning and characterization of the pig MHC class Ⅰ-related MR1 gene

Dev Comp Immunol. 2019 Jul:96:58-67. doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.02.020. Epub 2019 Mar 2.

Abstract

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ⅰ-related protein 1 (MR1), the most highly conserved MHC class Ⅰ molecule among mammals, is the restricting molecule for mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. MAIT cells, a novel subset of T cells, play important roles in modulating the immune responses to infectious and non-infectious diseases, and recognize antigens in the context of MR1. MR1 has been identified in many species, including human, mouse, sheep, and cow. Here, we cloned and characterized pig (Sus scrofa) MR1 (pMR1) transcripts, including five unique splice variants, from pig peripheral blood mononuclear cell cDNA. We also examined the tissue distribution of pMR1 and confirmed reactivity of pMR1 using a MR1 specific monoclonal antibody 26.5, demonstrating that the pMR1 gene was expressed in all tested tissues. Finally, we predicted the pMR1 3D structure and analyzed the docking mode of the MR1-5-OP-RU complex, finding that the docking mode of pMR1 with 5-OP-RU is similar to human MR1 docking. Collectively, this description of pMR1 adds to our understanding of the evolution of MHC molecules, and provides a theoretical basis for the subsequent study of pig MAIT cells.

Keywords: I -related protein 1 (MR1); MAIT cells; MHC class; Pig.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Genes, MHC Class I / genetics*
  • Genes, MHC Class I / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Ligands
  • Male
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / genetics*
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / immunology
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Sus scrofa / genetics
  • Sus scrofa / immunology*

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Ligands
  • MR1 protein, human
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens