Two unusual human immunoglobulin V kappa genes

The V kappa genes A10 and A14 which have been previously localized within the human kappa locus were analysed now. A10 hybridizes under stringent conditions only weakly or not at all to probes characteristic for the four V kappa subgroups. According to their DNA sequences and the derived amino-acid sequences A10 and A14 do not fit well into the subgroup classification. They seem to be about as closely related to the subgroup I and III genes and less related to those of subgroups II and IV. Hybridization experiments indicate that A10 and A14 belong to a small V kappa gene family. After discussing the various features of the sequences we suggest neither to assign A10 and A14 to one of the existing subgroups nor to establish a new one but to apply to them the subgroup designation N which may be changed when all V kappa genes are known and can be classified together.     

Two V kappa germ-line genes related to the GAT idiotypic network (Ab1 and Ab3/Ab1') account for the major subfamilies of the mouse V kappa-1 variability subgroup

V kappa Ig germ-line genes have been isolated from recombinant clones prepared in separate libraries constructed from adult BALB/c liver DNA. Three different clones that strongly hybridized with a V kappa-GAT-specific probe were completely characterized and sequenced. All three genes exhibited common characteristic features in their sequences encompassing the 5' to the 3' noncoding region, with coding sections 95% homologous. A comparison with other V kappa genes shows that the size of the first intron is variability subgroup specific. Moreover, a direct correlation exists between the size of this intron and the entire length of the coding region. Nucleotide sequences of these genes were compared with V kappa chains expressed at the Ab1 and Ab1' levels of the GAT idiotypic network: Ag----Ab1----Ab2----Ab3 (Ab1'). K1A5 and K5.1 genes account for V kappa chains in Ab1 and Ab1' hybridomas, respectively. The high conservation of Ab1' sequences in light chain was also recently reported for the heavy chains, suggesting that immunization with Ab2 (anti-idiotypic) antibodies preferentially stimulates the direct expression of germ-line genes. K5.1 and K1A5 genes belong to the V kappa-1 variability subgroup and encode, without any amino acid substitution, V kappa domain in myeloma TEPC 105 and MOPC 467, which are V kappa-1A and V kappa-1C subgroup prototypes, respectively. These genes are extensively used in different mouse strains and in a number of antibodies of discrete specificities, such as anti-GAT, anti-DNP, anti-flagellin, anti-phosphorylcholine, anti-digoxin, anti-phenyloxazolone, and anti-DNA.     

Evidence for noncontiguous variable and constant region genes in both germ line and myeloma DNA.

A study has been made of the hybridization of mouse light chain cDNA to restriction enzyme digests of DNA. DNA was digested with B. st (specificity GGATCC) and fractionated on preparative agarose gels for hybridization analysis. Experiments with liver or kidney DNA yielded two peaks of hybridization with V+C cDNA corresponding to the C_κ gene and to the germ line V gene homologous to the MOPC21 V gene. Since there is no site for digestion by B. st within the MOPC21 V or C genes, this result shows that the germ line DNA carries separately the V²¹ and C_κ genes.The hybridization profiles of two different myeloma DNAs (MOPC21 and AdjPC5) differed from those of the germ line DNA. In both myelomas, only one hybridization peak was observed and no peaks corresponding to the germ line pattern were seen. The new pattern of hybridization implies that the events involved in maturation of antibody-producing cells includes rearrangement of the V and C genes.To study whether this proposed rearrangement of DNA results in contiguous V and C genes in producing cells, discrete V+C cDNA size classes (prepared with MOPC21 mRNA) were hybridized to both unfractionated restriction digested MOPC21 DNA and to the partially purified L chain gene of MOPC21 DNA. The length of the cDNA rendered resistant to single-strand-specific S₁ nuclease was determined. In no case was the full length of V+C cDNA protected from nuclease; instead, a fragment of about 290 bases (C region length) plus smaller fragments were generated. These results indicate that the rearrangement of L chain genes, which seems to occur in myeloma cells, may well not produce contiguous V and C genes in the DNA.     

Somatic DNA rearrangement generates functional rat immunoglobulin kappa chain genes: the J kappa gene cluster is longer in rat than in mouse

The kappa immunoglobulin (Ig) genes from rat kidney and from rat myeloma cells were cloned and analyzed. In kidney DNA one C kappa species is observed by Southern blotting and cloning in phage vectors; this gene most likely represents the embryonic configuration. In the IR52 myeloma DNA two C kappa species are observed: one in the same configuration seen in kidney and one which has undergone a rearrangement. This somatic rearrangement has brought the expressed V region to within 2.7 kb 5' of the C kappa coding region; the rearrangement site is within the J kappa cluster which we have mapped. The rat somatic Ig rearrangement, therefore, closely resembles that seen in mouse Ig genes. In the rat embryonic fragment two J kappa segments were mapped at 2 and 4.3 kb 5' from the C kappa coding region. Therefore, the rat J kappa cluster extends over about 2.3 kb, a region much longer than the 1.4 kb of the mouse and human J kappa clusters. In the region between C kappa and the expressed J kappa of IR52 myeloma DNA, and XbaI site present in the embryonic kappa gene has been lost. A somatic mutation has therefore occurred in the intervening sequence DNA approx. 0.7 kb 3' from the V/J recombination site. Southern blots of rat kidney DNA hybridized with different rat V kappa probes showed non-overlapping sets of bands which correspond to different subgroups, each composed of 8-10 closely related V kappa genes.     

Two induced anti-Z-DNA monoclonal antibodies use VH gene segments related to those of anti-DNA autoantibodies

The cDNA for H and L chain V regions of two anti-Z-DNA mAb, Z22 and Z44, were cloned and sequenced. These are the first experimentally induced anti-nucleic acid antibody sequences available for comparison with autoantibody sequences. Z22 and Z44 are IgG2b and IgG2a antibodies from C57BL/6 mice. They recognize different facets of the Z-DNA structure. They both use VH10 family genes and share 95% sequence base sequence identity in the VH and leader sequences; however, they differ in the 5'-untranslated region of the VH mRNA, indicating they arise from different germline genes. Both use JH4 segments. They differ from each other very extensively in the CDR3 of both H and L chains. The most closely related H chains in the current GenBank/EMBL data base are two mouse IgG anti-DNA autoantibodies, one from an MRL-lpr/lpr mouse (MRL-DNA4) and one from an NZB/NZW mouse (BV04-01). Z22 and Z44 share 95% sequence identity with these antibodies in the VH segment. In addition, Z22 is identical to MRL-DNA4 at 91% of the positions in the 5'-untranslated region of the H chain mRNA. The two antibodies share 95% base sequence identity in the V kappa segment. The most closely related L chains, with 97 to 98% sequence identity, are the V kappa 10b germline gene for Z22 and the V kappa 10a germ line gene, which is associated with A/J anti-arsonate antibodies and BALB/c anti-ABO blood group substance antibodies, for Z44. Z22 and Z44 share several structural features (similarities in VH, JH, and V kappa) but differ very markedly in the L chain CDR1 and both H and L chain CDR3 sequences; these regions may determine the differences in their specific interactions with Z-DNA.     

Characterization of allelic V kappa-1 region genes in inbred strains of mice

Germ line genes encoding mouse Ig kappa-chains belonging to the V kappa-1 group have been isolated from BALB/c, NZB, and CE, three inbred strains of differing kappa haplotype. The V kappa-1A and V kappa-1C germ line genes isolated from BALB/c (Ig kappa c) were identical to those previously described. These are the two major V kappa-1 germ line genes in BALB/c and together account for 40 of the 53 expressed V kappa-1 sequences that have been reported to date. Allelic differences in a single germ line variable region gene (V kappa-1A) in different strains of mice explain the differences in L chain IEF patterns previously associated with the Ig kappa-Ef2 locus. The rearranged kappa-gene expressed in the BALB/c myeloma MOPC-460 has been isolated and found to represent a V kappa-1A somatic variant differing by three nucleotides from the germ line V kappa-1A gene. Germ line genes isolated from NZB (Ig kappa b) and CE (Ig kappa f) show greater than 95% identity with the BALB/c genes over the 1700 nucleotides compared. Comparison by region indicated the greatest conservation of sequence occurs in and around the leader exon followed by the V-region exon. The NZB gene encodes the amino acid sequence found in the myeloma PC-2205, previously designated V kappa-1B. The V kappa-1 gene isolated from CE is likely an allele of the BALB/c V kappa-1C gene as the two share greater than 96% identity over 1700 nucleotides. The CE gene has been designated V kappa-1Cf. Ancient remnants of LINE-1 repetitive elements were detected approximately 400 bp downstream of all of the V kappa-1 genes. These possess greater homology with repetitive elements found near other kappa genes than they do with the native L1Md sequence.     

Rearranged and germline immunoglobulin kappa genes: different states of DNase I sensitivity of constant kappa genes in immunocompetent and nonimmune cells

The rearrangement of a variable (V) and a constant (C) gene appears to be a necessary prerequisite for immunoglobulin gene expression. Multiple different rearranged kappa genes were found in several mouse myelomas, although these cells produce only one type of kappa chain [Wilson, R., Miller, J., & Storb, U. (1979) Biochemistry 18, 5013--5021]. It is therefore of interest to understand how only one allele within a lymphoid cell becomes expressed, while the other allele remains nonfunctional ("allelic exclusion"). We have studied the chromatin conformation of kappa genes by making use of the preferential digestion of potentially active genes by DNase I described, for example, for globin genes [Weintraub, H., & Groudine, M. (1976) Science (Washington, D.C.) 193, 848--856]. The DNase I sensitivity of kappa genes in myeloma tumors, in a B cell lymphoma, and in liver was determined by hybridization with DNA on Southern blots. It was found that rearranged C kappa genes are DNase I sensitive in myelomas in which several kappa genes are rearranged, regardless of whether the rearranged genes code for the kappa chains synthesized by the cell. Furthermore, the C kappa gene in germline configuration is also DNase I sensitive in a B cell lymphoma; i.e., it is in the same chromatin state as the rearranged C kappa gene which probably codes for the kappa chains produced by the cell. The altered chromatin state appears to be localized: V kappa genes in germline context are not DNase I sensitive in myeloma or B lymphoma cells while C kappa genes present in a kappa gene cluster on the same chromosomes are sensitive. When rearranged, however, the V kappa genes are as sensitive to DNase I as are rearranged C kappa genes. V lambda and C lambda genes are not DNase I sensitive in kappa myelomas. Thus, commitment to kappa gene expression is apparently correlated with a chromatin conformation which confers increased DNase I sensitivity to the DNA in the vicinity of all C kappa genes in the cell. "Allelic exclusion" does not operate on the level of chromatin conformation which can be detected by altered DNase I sensitivity.     

Evolution of a multigene family of V kappa germ line genes

We have isolated a series of related V kappa germ line genes from a BALB/c sperm DNA library. DNA sequence analysis of four members of this V kappa 24 multigene family implies that three V kappa genes are functional whereas the fourth one (psi V kappa 24) is a pseudogene. The prototype gene (V kappa 24) encodes the variable region gene segment expressed in an immune response against phosphorylcholine. The other two functional genes (V kappa 24A and V kappa 24B) may be expressed against streptococcal group A carbohydrate. The time of divergence of the four genes was estimated by the rate of synonymous nucleotide changes. This implies that an ancestral gene has duplicated approximately 33-35 million years ago and a subsequent gene duplication event has occurred approximately 23 million years ago.     

Wild mice express an Ig V lambda gene that differs from any V lambda in BALB/c but resembles a human V lambda subgroup.

The lambda L chain locus in the inbred mouse strains commonly used in the laboratory contains a limited number of germ-line genes; only three V lambda and three functional J lambda-C lambda genes have been identified in BALB/c mice. Previous studies indicated that wild mice may have a considerably expanded number of C lambda genes, as judged by the number of DNA restriction fragments that hybridize to C lambda probes derived from BALB/c. In order to evaluate the expression of these putative lambda genes, we have determined sequences of cDNA encoding lambda-chains in hybridomas from wild mice of the subspecies Mus musculus musculus from two different geographic regions, Denmark and Czechoslovakia. Two of these hybridomas produce L chains with J and C regions that are very similar to those of BALB/c lambda 1 chains, but the V regions of these L chains are only approximately 40% identical in amino acid sequence to the known murine V lambda. Indeed, these wild mouse V lambda are closer in sequence to human V lambda than they are to BALB/c V lambda, especially to human V lambda of subgroup VI, with which they share an unusual two-residue insertion in framework 3; L chains bearing V regions of this rare human type have a marked tendency to enter into amyloid deposits. These findings suggest that similar V lambda may be widespread in mammalian populations, although analysis by Southern blotting indicates that they are not found in BALB/c mice. A third hybridoma produces a L chain whose V lambda resembles BALB/c V lambda 1. The J lambda and C lambda segments of the cDNA encoding all three hybridoma L chains are identical; evidently, of the several putative genes that hybridize to C lambda 1 probes, one is expressed preferentially.     

Sequence similarities and cross-idiotypic specificity of L chains among human monoclonal IgM kappa with anti-gamma-globulin activity

The complete amino acid sequence of five light chain variable (V) regions of human monoclonal IgM kappa rheumatoid factors (RF) was determined, and their cross-reactive idiotypes (CRI) were characterized with antibodies induced by immunization with synthetic peptides PSL2 and PSL3, corresponding to the second and third complementarity-determining regions (CDR) of the SIE light chain. Together with two additional RF studied previously, all seven RF belong to the V kappa IIIb sub-subgroup. The region encoded by the V kappa gene segment (positions 1 to 95) in all seven proteins was virtually identical in primary structure, whereas the sequence from positions 96 to 108 defined the usage of the J kappa 1 gene in three proteins and the J kappa 2 gene in four of them. Position 96 contributed by the recombination of the V kappa and J kappa gene segments showed the presence of four different amino acid residues. Both anti-PSL2 and anti-PSL3 bind efficiently to all separated L chains when analyzed by the Western blot technique, and the binding was inhibited specifically by the corresponding peptides. The results reveal that the majority of human IgM-RF light chains are derived from a single germ line V kappa gene or a family of closely related V kappa III germ line genes, and express two "primary structure-dependent" CRI, which are largely dependent on the amino acid sequence of the second and third light chain CDR.     

Immunochemical Isolation of γ-Globulin mRNA and Estimation of Immunoglobulin Gene Reiteration

The polyribosomes synthesizing γ-globulin have been isolated by the achievement of specific precipitation using bentonite-treated anti-IgG antibody. The RNA extracted from the immunochemically precipitated polysomes was tested for its ability to direct the synthesis of proteins in a cell-free system. The specific γ-globulin-synthesizing activity (cpm of γ-globulin synthesized/μg RNA) of this RNA was 10-fold greater than that from total polysomes. γ-globulin mRNA (messenger RNA) isolated by immunoprecipitation was more than 89% pure with respect to contamination by other species of mRNA. The products synthesized by the cell-free system were also analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate(SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This RNA has been hybridized with mouse myeloma DNA. The estimation of immunoglobulin gene reiteration was carried out using hybridization kinetics with consideration given to the DNA/RNA ratio since the estimation from the “half Cot value” is not accurate. The results suggest that in the mouse there are about 20 copies per subgroup of genes coding for the variable region of the H and L chains.     

Multiple mutations in the variable region of the kappa light chains of three monoclonal human IgM with anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein activity

Human monoclonal IgM having an antibody activity directed to myelin-associated glycoprotein have distinctive features. Amino-terminal sequence of light and heavy chains from 6 IgM kappa that we have previously studied indicated that heavy chains belong to the VHIII subgroup, whereas light chains belong to 3 different subgroups of variability (V kappa I 2, V kappa II 1, and V kappa IV 3). We report here the complete sequence of the variable domain of 3 L chains: 2 V kappa IV and 1 V kappa II subgroups. Strikingly an unusually high degree of mutations clustered in the complementarity-determining regions (CDR) 1 and CDR 3 was found and the variable regions were joined to three different JK segments. Amino acid substitutions did not yield similar sequence in the CDRs suggesting that the kappa chains had no predominant role in the unique binding activity of these IgM or alternatively they are directed against different epitopes. Data are consistent with the previously reported lack of easily demonstrated public idiotopes common to anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein IgM. The pathogenesis of these IgM autoantibodies is most likely different from that of previously studied monoclonal rheumatoid factors or cold agglutinins where a genetic restriction of L or H chains or both has been observed.     

The human V kappa locus. Characterization of extended immunoglobulin gene regions by cosmid cloning

As part of the ongoing work in our laboratory on the structural organization of the human V kappa locus we screened cosmid libraries with V kappa gene probes and obtained numerous V kappa gene-containing cosmid clones. Several genomic regions of the V kappa locus were reconstructed from overlapping cosmid inserts and were extended by one step of chromosomal walking. The regions that are called Wa, Wb, Oa, Ob and Ob' comprise about 370 kb (10(3) bases) of DNA and contain 24 V kappa genes and pseudogenes. The V kappa genes belong to the three dominant subgroups (V kappa I, V kappa II, V kappa III) and are arranged to form mixed clusters with members of the different subgroups being intermingled with each other. The distances between the genes range from 1 to 15 kb. Three genes of the Wa and Wb regions that were sequenced turned out to be pseudogenes. Terminal parts of the regions Wa and Ob that do not contain V kappa genes of one of the known subgroups may represent extended spacer regions within the V kappa locus. Wa and Wb are duplicated regions located at different positions of the locus. Region Wb was found to comprise inversely repeated sections of at least 14 kb each that contain V kappa genes oriented in opposite polarity. This finding is consistent with inversion-deletion models of V-J joining; it also shows that the V kappa locus contains not only unique and duplicated but also triplicated parts. The data on the W and O regions are discussed together with those on the L regions and on other regions established in our laboratory. Although the picture of the human V kappa locus with, to date, about 70 different non-allelic V kappa genes is still incomplete, some general features with respect to the organization of the genes and the limited duplication of genomic regions have emerged.     

Interstrain conservation of the murine GAT-specific antibody V kappa repertoire as analyzed at the germline gene level

A cDNA library was constructed in pBR322 from mRNA encoding an anti-GAT (Glu60 Ala30 Tyr10) monoclonal antibody kappa chain. Two cDNA clones were extensively characterized. One, L XI 62, was derived from an aberrant V kappa-J kappa rearrangement which resulted in a frame-shift at position 96, leading to a stop codon at the very beginning of the constant region. The second, L XIX 27, 1150 bp long, was unequivocally assigned to a GAT-specific kappa chain, by comparison of its nucleotide sequence with the previously determined NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the isolated kappa chain. A specific probe, containing the leader and most of the V kappa gene-encoded region, was prepared from this clone and hybridized to EcoRI and BamHI restriction fragments of liver (unrearranged) DNA extracted from the BALB/c, DBA/2 and C57BL/6 mouse strains. Under stringent conditions, similar patterns were observed for all three strains, and consisted of a small number of bands (3-5). Under nonstringent conditions, patterns were again very similar when the different strains were compared, although 15-20 bands could be identified. These observations support the hypothesis that the GAT-specific kappa chains found in antibodies expressing the public CGAT idiotypes are encoded by a very small number of germline genes. This V kappa repertoire seems extremely conserved between the three strains that were analyzed, an observation which correlates with the interstrain conservation of these public idiotypic specificities.     

Immunoglobulin gene rearrangements in normal mouse B cells.

We have analyzed the structure of rearranged mu heavy-chain genes obtained from the genomic DNA of normal BALB/c mouse spleen cells expressing surface immunoglobulin M. Examples were found of two types of nonproductive rearrangements, which may be responsible for allelic exclusion in normal B cells. In one of these rearrangements, a germ line D gene segment has joined to the JH4 gene segment but no V/D joining has occurred. We present evidence that D gene segments lie as a cluster between V and J gene segments in the germ line. A comparison of conserved sequences in V and D gene segments suggests that the D gene segments, which are found only in the heavy-chain gene family, may have evolved from V gene segments similar to the Vk family.     

Induced synthesis of immunoglobulin messenger RNA accompanies induction of immunoglobulin production in cultured mouse spleen cells.

Immunoglobulin kappa type light chain mRNA (Lkappa mRNA) accumulated in parallel with secretion of immunoglobulin M in cultured mouse spleen cells activated by lipopolysaccharide. Actinomycin D suppressed the accumulation of kappa chain mRNA completely without affecting the degradation rate of kappa chain mRNA. The half life of kappa chain mRNA was about 9 h. Available evidence indicates that lipopolysaccharide stimulates de novo synthesis of kappa chain mRNA. The accumulation of kappa chain mRNA was markedly suppressed by inhibitors of DNA or protein synthesis such as hydroxyurea, cytosine arabinoside and cycloheximide.     

抗A型产气荚膜梭菌α毒素单链抗体基因的克隆、表达及其生物学活性(英文)

应用RT PCR技术 ,从分泌具有中和活性的抗A型产气荚膜梭菌α毒素单克隆抗体 (McAb)的杂交瘤细胞株 1A8中 ,分别扩增出抗体VH 和VL 基因 ,用linker (Gly4Ser) 3 基因 ,将VH 和VL 基因连接成单链抗体 (ScFv)基因 ,并将其克隆至pGEM T载体中 .经核苷酸序列分析证实 ,VH 和VL 基因及linker基因拼接正确 ,ScFv 1A8基因全长为 72 6bp ,编码2 4 2个氨基酸 ,VH 和VL 基因符合功能性重排的鼠抗体可变区基因特征 ,分别属于鼠免疫球蛋白重链Ⅱ (A)和轻链κⅣ家簇 .将ScFv 1A8基因克隆至表达载体pHOG2 1中 ,构建了重组质粒pHOG 1A8,然后转化至受体菌XL1 BLUE中 ,得到重组菌株XL1 BLUE (pHOG 1A8) .ELISA检测和SDS PAGE分析表明 :经IPTG诱导后所表达的目的蛋白存在于重组菌株XL1 BLUE (pHOG 1A8)的胞周质中 .经薄层扫描分析 :重组菌株XL1 BLUE(pHOG 1A8)的蛋白表达产物占菌体可溶性蛋白的 1 2 % ,其相对分子量约为 31kD .ScFv的生物学活性研究表明 ,ScFv蛋白不但具有中和磷脂酶C的活性 ,而且还能够对致死性腹腔攻击的小鼠产生良好的被动保护作用