Organization of immunoglobulin genes

Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol. 1978:42 Pt 2:921-31. doi: 10.1101/sqb.1978.042.01.094.

Abstract

The nucleotide-sequence determination of a cloned, embryonic Vlambda gene directly demonstrated that V genes are separate from a corresponding C gene in embryonic cells. Analysis by restriction enzymes of total cellular DNA from various sources strongly suggested that the two separate immunoglobulin genes become continuous during differentiation of B lymphocytes. There seems to be a strict correlation between the joining event and activation of the joined genes. Cloning of more immunoglobulin genes from embryo and plasma cells will not only provide direct demonstration of such a gene-joining event but also help in the elucidation of a possible relationship of the event to gene activation mechanisms.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Coliphages
  • DNA, Recombinant*
  • Embryo, Mammalian / immunology
  • Genes*
  • Genetic Linkage
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / genetics
  • Immunoglobulins / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Plasma Cells / immunology

Substances

  • DNA, Recombinant
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains
  • Immunoglobulins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/J00599