Blastocyst MHC is a mouse MHC class Ib gene that is selectively expressed in blastocysts and placenta like human HLA-G, which protect fetal trophoblasts and some tumor cells from NK cell attack, and in TAP-dependent expression on the cell surface. We expressed blastocyst MHC cDNA in beta 2-deficient EL-4 S3 or beta 2m-transfected EL-4 S3 cells. In parental EL-4 S3 cells, only 47-kDa blastocyst MHC protein was expressed and retained in the cytoplasm. However, additional 51-kDa blastocyst MHC protein was expressed on the surface of beta 2m-transfected EL-4 S3 cells. The 51-kDa protein was resistant to Endo-H. whereas the 47-kDa protein was sensitive for Endo-H. The results suggested that beta 2m as well as TAP was necessary for the transportation of blastocyst MHC from endoplasmic reticulum to cell surfaces through the Golgi apparatus, similar to other MHC class 1 molecules. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.