Characterization of two class I major histocompatibility rat cDNA clones, one of which contains a premature termination codon.

A cDNA clone that shares considerable homology with mRNA for class-I major-histocompatibility (MHC) antigens has been isolated from a cDNA library constructed from an insulin-secreting tumor of the NEDH rat (RIN). Although there is very strong homology between the third extracellular domain of this gene, and other class-I antigen genes, a stop codon was noticed at the junction between the external and transmembrane regions of its protein. Thus, this gene codes for a truncated class-I antigen that lacks both transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains but has hydrophilic amino acids towards its C-terminus and therefore resembles a soluble protein. This gene was found to be transcribed at significant levels in the rat testis and an insulin-secreting tumor, but transcription was negligible in liver and kidney. The partial nucleotide sequence of this gene in a Wistar rat genomic clone indicates that the cDNA clone is represented in the rat genome complete with premature termination codon, thus eliminating the possibility of artifactual origins for the clone.