Open AccessDog Homologue of Human β 2 -Microglobulin
Author(s) -
O. Smithies,
M. D. Poulik
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.69.10.2914
Subject(s) - beta 2 microglobulin , beta (programming language) , peptide sequence , antibody , amino acid , biology , sequence (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , heavy chain , gene , chemistry , biochemistry , genetics , immunology , programming language , computer science
The amino-acid sequence of human β2 -microglobulin, a protein of 100 residues, is related to parts of the constant region of IgG heavy chain. The dog homologue of human β2 -microglobulin has now been isolated and its amino-acid sequence has been partially determined. The two proteins (human and dog β2 -microglobulins) are demonstrably different at only 6 or 7 of the 42 positions examined. Use of the dog should permit experimental investigation of the functional relationships of β2 -microglobulin to immunoglobulins and the immune system. β2 -Microglobulin has also been detected in serum from a chimpanzee. The gene for β2 -microglobulin may correspond to the end portion of an immunoglobulin heavy chain gene.