Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6062
pubmed:dateCreated
1986-5-22
pubmed:databankReference
pubmed:abstractText
In mammals, the immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region (VH) locus is organized in a linear fashion; individual VH, diversity (DH), joining (JH) and constant (CH) region segments are linked in separate regions. During somatic development, coding segments flanked by characteristic short recombination signal sequences, separated by intervening sequence regions that may exceed 2,000 kilobases (kb), are recombined. Combinatorial joining of different segments as well as imprecision in this process contribute to the diversity of the primary antibody response; subsequent mutation further alters functionally rearranged genes. This basic somatic reorganization mechanism is shared by six major families of genes encoding antigen receptors. Previously, we have shown that multiple germline genes and mammalian-like recombination signal sequences are associated with the VH gene family of Heterodontus francisci (horned shark), a primitive elasmobranch. Studies presented here demonstrate that segmental reorganization involving mammalian-like DH and JH segments occurs in the lymphoid tissues of this species. In marked contrast to the mammalian system, we find multiple instances of close linkage (approximately 10 kb) between individual VH, DH, JH, and CH segments. This unique organization may limit combinatorial joining and be a factor in the restricted antibody response of this lower vertebrate.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0028-0836
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
320
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
546-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2010-11-18
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:articleTitle
Major reorganization of immunoglobulin VH segmental elements during vertebrate evolution.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.