A sequence from Drosophila DNA cross-hybridizing with a mouse class I H-2 gene: absence of relevant nucleic acid or amino acid sequence homology.

Following serological data (1) showing cross-reactivity of drosophila surface antigens with anti-H-2 and mouse beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) antisera, we have looked for homologous sequences in the drosophila genome by low stringency hybridization with mouse H-2 and beta 2-m probes. A 240 bp drosophila DNA segment cross-hybridizing with a H-2 probe, was isolated and sequenced. No homology at the nucleotide or amino acid levels was found with the mouse probe which was used, except for a perfectly matching 16-mer containing 11 G-C, which might be responsible for the cross-hybridization. Therefore, our present data do not support the existence of class I H-2 and/or beta 2-m related gene sequences in the drosophila genome.