Partial cloning of the class I gene-encompassing regions in the rat major histocompatibility complex

Abstract

Two contigs of overlapping PAC clones mapping to the centromeric and telomeric parts of the rat major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are described. Number and organization of class I genes in these contigs are delineated and compared to the corresponding regions in the mouse MHC. The evolutionary history of these class I genes is discussed.