MHC class III

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MHC class III is a group of proteins belonging the class of major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Unlike other MHC types such as MHC class I and MHC class II, of which their structure and functions in immune response are well defined, MHC class III are poorly defined structurally and functionally. They are not involved in antigen binding (the process called antigen presentation, a classic function of MHC proteins). Only few of them are actually involved in immunity while many are signalling molecules in other cell communications. They are mainly known from their genes because their gene cluster is present between those of class I and class II. [1] The gene cluster was discovered when genes (specifically those of complement components C2, C4, and factor B) were found in between class I and class II genes on the short (p) arm of human chromosome 6. It was later found that it contains many genes for different signalling molecules such as tumour necrosis factors (TNFs) and heat shock proteins. More than 60 MHC class III genes are described, which is about 28% of the total MHC genes (224). [2] The region within MHC class III gene cluster that contains genes for TNFs is also known as MHC class IV [3] or inflammatory region. [4]

Contents

In contrast to other MHC proteins, MHC class III proteins are produced by liver cells (hepatocytes) and special white blood cells (macrophages), among others.

Gene structure

MHC class III genes are located on chromosome 6 (6p21.3) in humans. It covers 700 kb and contains 61 genes. The gene cluster is the most gene-dense region of the human genome. They are basically similar with those of other animals. The functions of many genes are yet unknown. [5] Many retroelements such as human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) and Alu elements are located in the cluster. [6] The region containing genes STK19(G11)/C4/Z/CYP21/X/Y, varying in size from 142 to 214 kb, is known as the most complex gene cluster in the human genome. [7]

Diversity

MHC class III genes are similar in humans, mouse, frog ( Xenopus tropicalis ), and gray short-tailed opossum, but not all genes are common. For example, human NCR3 , MIC and MCCD1 are absent in mouse. Human NCR3 and LST1 are absent in opossum. [4] However, birds (chicken and quail) have only a single gene, which codes for a complement component gene (C4). [8] In fishes, the genes are distributed in different chromosomes. [9]

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References

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  2. The MHC sequencing consortium (1999). "Complete sequence and gene map of a human major histocompatibility complex". Nature. 401 (6756): 921–923. Bibcode:1999Natur.401..921T. doi:10.1038/44853. PMID   10553908. S2CID   186243515.
  3. Gruen JR, Weissman SM. Human MHC class III and IV genes and disease associations. Front Biosci. 2001 Aug 1;6:D960-72. doi: 10.2741/gruen. PMID: 11487469.
  4. 1 2 Deakin, Janine E; Papenfuss, Anthony T; Belov, Katherine; Cross, Joseph GR; Coggill, Penny; Palmer, Sophie; Sims, Sarah; Speed, Terence P; Beck, Stephan; Graves, Jennifer (2006). "Evolution and comparative analysis of the MHC Class III inflammatory region". BMC Genomics. 7 (1): 281. doi:10.1186/1471-2164-7-281. PMC   1654159 . PMID   17081307.
  5. Xie, T; Rowen, L; Aguado, B; Ahearn, ME; Madan, A; Qin, S; Campbell, RD; Hood, L (2003). "Analysis of the gene-dense major histocompatibility complex class III region and its comparison to mouse". Genome Research. 13 (12): 2621–36. doi:10.1101/gr.1736803. PMC   403804 . PMID   14656967.
  6. Dawkins, R; Leelayuwat, C; Gaudieri, S; Tay, G; Hui, J; Cattley, S; Martinez, P; Kulski, J (1999). "Genomics of the major histocompatibility complex: haplotypes, duplication, retroviruses and disease". Immunological Reviews. 167: 275–304. doi:10.1111/j.1600-065X.1999.tb01399.x. PMID   10319268. S2CID   9924684.
  7. Milner, CM; Campbell, RD (2001). "Genetic organization of the human MHC class III region". Frontiers in Bioscience. 6 (3): D914-926. doi:10.2741/A653. PMID   11487476.
  8. Shiina, T; Shimizu, S; Hosomichi, K; Kohara, S; Watanabe, S; Hanzawa, K; Beck, S; Kulski, JK; Inoko, H (2004). "Comparative genomic analysis of two avian (quail and chicken) MHC regions". Journal of Immunology. 172 (11): 6751–63. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.172.11.6751 . PMID   15153492.
  9. Sambrook, JG; Figueroa, F; Beck, S (2005). "A genome-wide survey of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes and their paralogues in zebrafish". BMC Genomics. 6: 152. doi:10.1186/1471-2164-6-152. PMC   1309616 . PMID   16271140.