major histocompatibility complex

American  

noun

Immunology.

1. MHC.

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major histocompatibility complex British  

noun

1. the full name for MHC

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major histocompatibility complex Scientific  

/ mā′jər /

1. A group of genes that code for cell-surface histocompatibility antigens and are the principal determinants of tissue type and transplant compatibility. They are the most diverse genes in humans and are used to determine if a sample of DNA comes from a specific person.

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Example Sentences

Researchers believe that a particular group of genes, the major histocompatibility complex, play a large role in scent production.

From Scientific American • Sep. 26, 2023

Wearsch, P. A. & Cresswell, P. Selective loading of high-affinity peptides onto major histocompatibility complex class I molecules by the tapasin–ERp57 heterodimer.

From Nature • Nov. 5, 2017

They do not recognize self-antigens, however, but only processed antigen presented on their surfaces in a binding groove of a major histocompatibility complex molecule.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

She explains that the key lies in the composition of our immune system, specifically the cell-surface molecules known as the major histocompatibility complex.

From Slate • May 23, 2013

Biologist Claus Wedekind found that women are most attracted to the scent of men who have a very different genetic code immune system than their own in a region known as the major histocompatibility complex.

From Time • Feb. 14, 2011