H-Y antigens |
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Authors: | U Müller |
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Institution: | 1. Institut für Humangenetik, Justus-Liebig-Universit?t Giessen, Schlangenzahl 14, D-35392, Giessen, Germany
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Abstract: | H-Y antigen is defined as a male histocompatibility antigen that causes rejection of male skin grafts by female recipients
of the same inbred strain of rodents. Male-specific, or H-Y antigen(s), are also detected by cytotoxic T cells and antibodies.
H-Y antigen appears to be an integral part of the membrane of most male cells. In addition, H-Y antibodies detect a soluble
form of H-Y that is secreted by the testis. The gene (Smcy/SMCY) coding for H-Y antigen detected by T cells has been cloned. It is expressed ubiquitously in male mice and humans, and encodes
an epitope that triggers a specific T -cell response in vitro. Additional epitopes coded for by different Y-chromosomal genes
are probably required in vivo for the rejection of male grafts by female hosts. The molecular nature of H-Y antigen detected
by antibodies on most male cells is not yet known. Testis-secreted, soluble H-Y antigen, however, was found to be identical
to Müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS). MIS cross-reacts with H-Y antibodies and identical findings were obtained for soluble
H-Y antigen and MIS, i.e., secretion by testicular Sertoli and, to a lesser degree, ovarian cells, binding to a gonad-specific
receptor, induction of gonadal sex reversal in vitro and, in cattle, in vivo. H-Y antisera also detect a molecule or molecules
associated with the heterogametic sex in nonmammalian vertebrates. Molecular data on this antigen or antigens are not yet
available. |
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