Mutation in a new H-2-associated histocompatibility gene closely linked to H-2D.

Sequential precipitations of soluble BALB/c antigen with antisera detecting private and public H-2 specificities indicated three distinct classes of molecules of 45,000 mol wt. However, only two of these classes of molecules were detectable in antigen from the loss mutant, BALB/c-H-2db. The class of molecules, detectable in the wild-type strain but missing in the mutant, does not bear private specificities but does react with an antiserum detecting H-2 public specificities. Absorption in mutant mice of the antiserum to public specificities, left antibodies specific for the antigen detectable in BALB/c but not BALB/c-H-2db. Genetic mapping studies using this specific antiserum indicated that the antigenic loss of this mutant is in a gene which maps in or close to the H-2D region, separable from the H-2K, S, G, Qa-2, and Tla regions.