Open AccessRestricted diversity of the variable region nucleotide sequences of the heavy and light chains of a human rheumatoid factor
Author(s) -
Ezaki Ichiko,
Shingu Masao,
Nobunaga Masashi,
Kanda Hidetoshi,
Watanabe Takeshi,
Sakai Kouko,
Fukui Nobunori
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780340312
Subject(s) - rheumatoid factor , immunoglobulin light chain , diversity (politics) , genetics , nucleotide , biology , gene , antibody , law , political science
The complete nucleotide sequences of the variable region genes of the heavy and light polypeptide chains of a human monoclonal rheumatoid factor (RF) produced from a human–mouse heterohybridoma were determined. The antibody, designated YES8c, contained V κ III, J κ 2, V H 1, J H 4, and a D gene segment of 9 amino acids. The nucleotide sequences and the deduced amino acid sequences of the light chain variable region were remarkably homologous (97–98%) to previously described RF of the Wa idiotypic family (PAY, GLO, CUR, FLO, and GAR) and to that of a V κ III germline gene ( Humkv325 ). The YES8c heavy chain variable region gene was most closely related to the V H 1 gene of the restricted human fetal repertoire, designated 51p1, and also to 3 rearranged V H 1 genes that were recently isolated from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. These results suggest that variable region genes of RFs are highly conserved and that YES8c V H , as well as Vκ, may be identical to heavy and light chains expressed during early B cell development.