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Transcription of major histocompatibility complex class I (K b ) and transporter associated with antigen processing 1 and 2 genes is up‐regulated with age
Author(s) -
Assounga Alain G.,
Warner Carol M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2004.01967.x
Subject(s) - transporter associated with antigen processing , biology , major histocompatibility complex , mhc class i , microbiology and biotechnology , antigen processing , cd74 , messenger rna , gene , antigen , immunology , genetics
Summary The transporter associated with antigen processing 1 and 2 (TAP1 and TAP2) genes belong to the ATP‐binding cassette family of transporter genes. They provide peptides necessary for the assembly of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules by transporting these peptides into the endoplasmic reticulum. As MHC class I protein expression increases with age, we have explored the effect of age on the transcription of MHC class I genes (K b ) and TAP1 and TAP2 genes in C57BL/6 mice. Blood and spleen lymphocytes were isolated from mice aged from 3 months to over 24 months. RNA was extracted and mRNA for K b , TAP1, TAP2 was quantified using slot‐blot hybridization followed by densitometry. There was a parallel age‐related increase (1·5‐fold) in blood lymphocyte mRNA of these genes from 3 months to 21 months. In mice over 24 months old there was a decrease in K b and TAP1 mRNA, but an increase in TAP2 mRNA. In spleen lymphocytes an age‐related increase in all three mRNA species occurred throughout life. While MHC class I and Tap genes underwent very similar age‐related changes, MHC class I mRNA was about 50 times more abundant than either TAP1 or TAP2 mRNA.