Open AccessSomatic diversification of the S107 (T15) VH11 germ-line gene that encodes the heavy-chain variable region of antibodies to double-stranded DNA in (NZB x NZW)F1 mice.
Author(s) -
Samuel M. Behar,
Matthew D. Scharff
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.85.11.3970
Subject(s) - germline , somatic cell , gene , biology , genetics , coding region , monoclonal antibody , immunoglobulin light chain , dna , microbiology and biotechnology , antibody
A variety of studies suggest that members of the S107 (T15) heavy-chain variable-region gene family contribute to the autoimmune response of mice and humans to DNA. To identify the germ-line gene(s) involved and the degree of somatic diversification that occurs in such autoantibodies, we determined the mRNA sequence of the heavy and light chains of a group of monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies encoded by the S107 VH11 germ-line gene in (NZB x NZW)F1 mice. We also cloned and sequenced the VH11 germ-line gene of the NZB and NZW parental strains. The VH11 coding sequences of the two strains were identical. Comparison with this heavy-chain germ-line sequence showed that the variable regions of the monoclonal antibodies had undergone considerable somatic diversification.