Quod erat faciendum:: sequence analysis of the H2-D and H2-Q regions of 129/SvJ mice

The H2-D and -Q regions of the mouse major histocompatibility complex (Mhc or H2) have been sequenced from strain 129/SvJ (haplotype bc), revealing a D/Q region different from all other investigated haplotypes, including the closely related b haplotype. The 300-kb class I-rich region consists of the classical class 1, H2-D, and 11 non-classical class I genes. The Q region was formed by two series of tandem duplications. Comparison of the segment between the D and Q1 genes with the H2-K region provides evidence that class I genes were translocated from the K region to the D region, and gives a new explanation for the weak locus specificity of the H-K and H2-D alleles.