Evidence of Similar Organization of the Chromosomes Carrying the Major Histocompatibility Complex in Man and Other Primates

The chromosome localization and gene synteny of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the great apes and rhesus monkey were investigated using somatic cell hybrids. The presence of the MHC antigens was determined either with a microadsorption technique employing primate alloantisera, or with a radioimmune assay. The enzymes phosphoglucomutase 3 (PGM3), glyoxalase 1 (GLO1), mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2), and soluble maleic enzyme (ME1) were assayed in those hybrids where electrophoretic separations could be achieved. A chromosome homologous to the human No. 6 was found in the chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan and rhesus monkey, and its genomic organization is similar to that of man.