HLA-G
HLA-G is a non-classical member of the MHC class I family, encoded by the major histocompatibility complex, class I, G gene. It is a membrane-anchored heavy chain that presents peptides, and it is expressed on foetal-derived placental cells. Browse Assay Genie's current range of HLA-G research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
HLA-G (HLA class I histocompatibility antigen, alpha chain G) belongs to the MHC class I family and is one of the HLA class I heavy chain paralogues. Like other class I molecules, it presents peptides. NCBI describes the class I molecule as a heterodimer of a membrane-anchored heavy chain and a light chain, beta-2 microglobulin. The UniProt annotation adds a qualification: HLA-G likely does not bind B2M and presents peptides. Researchers working with the HLA-G protein should keep both descriptions in mind.
The heavy chain is approximately 45 kDa. The HLA-G gene contains eight exons, and each exon corresponds to a defined part of the protein. Exon one encodes the leader peptide. Exons two and three encode the alpha1 and alpha2 domains, which both bind the peptide. Exon four encodes the alpha3 domain, exon five the transmembrane region, and exon six the cytoplasmic tail. HLA-G is expressed on foetal-derived placental cells.
UniProt records several subcellular locations for HLA-G: the cell membrane, endoplasmic reticulum membrane, early endosome and early endosome membrane, and the membrane of filopodia, with a secreted form also noted. HGNC places the gene in the histocompatibility complex group and among C1-set domain containing proteins. The previous HGNC name was HLA-G histocompatibility antigen, class I, G. It sits alongside other class I genes such as HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-E and HLA-F, which are useful comparators in HLA-G antibody or HLA-G ELISA kit work.
HLA-G is expressed on foetal-derived placental cells, making it a natural marker for studying the placenta.
The alpha1 and alpha2 domains both bind peptide, and HLA-G is annotated as a peptide-presenting MHC class I molecule.
Gene exons map to defined domains, and the annotation that HLA-G likely does not bind B2M makes it useful for structural comparison.
HLA-G is found at the cell membrane, endoplasmic reticulum membrane, early endosomes and filopodia, and a secreted form is noted.
HLA-G is an MHC class I heavy chain that presents peptides. Its alpha1 and alpha2 domains both bind the peptide. It is expressed on foetal-derived placental cells. UniProt notes that it likely does not bind B2M, whereas NCBI describes the general class I heterodimer with beta-2 microglobulin.
No aliases or previous symbols are listed. HGNC gives the full name as major histocompatibility complex, class I, G, and the previous name as HLA-G histocompatibility antigen, class I, G. UniProt uses HLA class I histocompatibility antigen, alpha chain G.
HLA-G is one of the HLA class I heavy chain paralogues and belongs to the MHC class I family. HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-E and HLA-F are related class I genes. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other HLA class I and class II genes and histocompatibility complex targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P17693; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.