Bovine IgG repertoire is dominated by a single diversified VH gene family

Sinclair, M.C., Gilchrist, J. and Aitken, R. (1997) Bovine IgG repertoire is dominated by a single diversified VH gene family. Journal of Immunology, 159(8), pp. 3883-3889. (PMID:9378976)

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Abstract

Using methods based upon the PCR, we have analyzed sequences that encode the V domain of bovine Ig heavy chain. Pairwise comparison indicates that the heavy chain repertoire in cattle is dominated by a single VH gene family that is homologous to human VHII. The third complementarity-determining region (CDR3) is particularly variable and 60% of the sequences encode a CDR3 in excess of 21 amino acids. Southern blots, single-stranded conformation polymorphism analysis, and sequencing of segments from the germline indicate that the dominant VHII gene family is of small size, comprising as few as 10 unique members, and carries a very low level of diversity in CDRs 1 and 2. Comparison of germline VH sequences with those gathered from adult bovine splenic cDNA demonstrates a pattern of nucleotide substitution that is consistent with diversification through somatic hypermutation.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Aitken, Professor Robert
Authors: Sinclair, M.C., Gilchrist, J., and Aitken, R.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
Journal Name:Journal of Immunology
Publisher:American Association of Immunologists
ISSN:0022-1767
ISSN (Online):1550-6606
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