Expression and temperature-dependent regulation of the beta2-microglobulin (Cyca-B2m) gene in a cold-blooded vertebrate, the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

Expression of beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) in the common carp was studied using a polyclonal antibody raised against a recombinant protein obtained from eukaryotic expression of the Cyca-B2m gene. Beta2m is expressed on peripheral blood Ig+ and Ig lymphocytes, but not on erythrocytes and thrombocytes. In spleen and pronephros, dull- and bright-positive populations could be identified correlating with the presence of erythrocytes, thrombocytes, and mature leucocytes or immature and mature cells from the lympho-myeloid lineage, respectively. Thymocytes were shown to be comprised of a single bright-positive population. The Cyca-B2m polyclonal antiserum was used in conjunction with a similarly produced polyclonal antiserum to an MHC class I (Cyca-UA) alpha chain to investigate the expression of class I molecules on peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) at different permissive temperatures. At 12 degrees C, a temporary downregulation of class I molecules was demonstrated, which recovered to normal levels within 3 days. However, at 6 degrees C, a lasting absence of class I cell-surface expression was observed, which could be restored slowly by transfer to 12 degrees C. The expression of immunoglobulin molecules on B cells was unaffected by temperature changes. The absence of the class I cell-surface expression was shown to be the result of a lack of sufficient Cyca-B2m gene transcription, although Cyca-UA mRNA was present at comparable levels at all temperatures. This suggests that class I expression is regulated by a temperature-sensitive transcription of the Cyca-B2m gene.