Immunochemical evidence in two haplotypes for at least three D region-encoded molecules, D, L, and R.

Sequential immunoprecipitation analyses have defined a new transplantation antigen, designated R, which in addition to the 2 previously isolated D and L molecules is encoded in the D region. All 3 of these gene products are 45,000 m.w. glycoprotein, and each bears a unique combination of specificities as recognized by monoclonal and/or conventional anti-H-2 sera. Three D region products, D, L, and R, have now been isolated from soluble antigens of both the H-2d and H-2q haplotypes. The resulted reported here also indicate that the loss-mutant BALB/c-H-2dm2 fails to express both Ld and Rd antigens. Further chemical comparisons of the primary structure of R molecules with D and L molecules will now be necessary to determine whether R antigens are the products of a unique gene, as opposed to a glycosylation or conformational variant of D and/or L molecules. In either case, the discovery of 3 D region-encoded gene products in certain haplotypes raises new questions about the evolution and regulation of expression of H-2 loci.