Gill T J
Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1980 Nov;104(11):559-62.
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contains genes that control the structure of many important cell surface antigens and influence a variety of important biological functions. The structures of the MHC in the human, rat and mouse show a remarkable similarity both in terms of the location of their genes and the chemical structures of the gene products. Thus, the region of the chromosome containing the MHC has been highly conserved during evolution, and this finding suggests that its genes are important for survival. Another set of genes, which influences growth and development, is linked to the MHC in the mouse (T/t complex) and in the rat (Grc): this entire chromosomal region may function as a "supergene" with broad effects on tissue organization and compatibility.
主要组织相容性复合体（MHC）包含控制许多重要细胞表面抗原结构并影响多种重要生物学功能的基因。人类、大鼠和小鼠的MHC结构在基因位置和基因产物的化学结构方面都表现出显著的相似性。因此，含有MHC的染色体区域在进化过程中高度保守，这一发现表明其基因对生存至关重要。另一组影响生长和发育的基因与小鼠（T/t复合体）和大鼠（Grc）的MHC相连：这个完整的染色体区域可能作为一个“超级基因”发挥作用，对组织组织和相容性具有广泛影响。
