Characterization of the immunoglobulin repertoire of the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias)

Smith, L. E. et al. (2012) Characterization of the immunoglobulin repertoire of the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias). Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 36(4), pp. 665-679. (doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2011.10.007) (PMID:22040740)

Abstract

The cartilaginous fish (chimeras, sharks, skates and rays) are the oldest group relative to mammals in which an adaptive immune system founded upon immunoglobulins has been found. In this manuscript we characterize the immunoglobulins of the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) at both the molecular and expressed protein levels. Despite the presence of hundreds of IgM clusters in this species the serum levels of this isotype are comparatively low. However, analysis of cDNA sequences and serum protein suggests microheterogeneity in the IgM heavy chains and supports the proposal that different clusters are preferentially used in the two forms (monomer or pentamer) of this isotype. We also found that the IgNAR isotype in this species exists in a previously unknown multimeric format in serum. Finally, we identified a new form of the IgW isotype (the shark IgD orthologue), in which the leader is spliced directly to the first constant domain, resulting in a molecule lacking an antigen-binding domain.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: MFF is supported by NIH grant RR06603.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Crouch, Dr Kathryn
• Authors: Smith, L. E., Crouch, K., Cao, W., Müller, M. R., Wu, L., Steven, J., Lee, M., Liang, M., Flajnik, M. F., Shih, H. H., Barelle, C. J., Paulsen, J., Gill, D. S., and Dooley, H.
• Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Developmental and Comparative Immunology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0145-305X
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0089
• Published Online: 20 October 2011