Molecular cloning of rabbit gamma heavy chain mRNA.

A cDNA library of rabbit spleen mRNA was screened for immunoglobulin heavy chain sequences. In this paper we report the nucleotide sequence of two cDNA clones containing part of the constant region of the rabbit gamma heavy chain mRNA. The sequence encodes part of the CH2 domain (amino acids 268 to 340), the entire CH3 domain (amino acids 341 to 447) and the 3' untranslated region. This nucleotide sequence has been compared to the corresponding sequences of mouse gamma 1, gamma 2a and gamma 2b genes. The homologies between rabbit gamma chain gene sequence and each of the mouse gamma chain gene sequences are of the same magnitude order. This comparison shows that the CH2 domains are more homologous to each other than CH3 domains or 3' untranslated sequences. The presence of species specific nucleotide positions suggests that mouse gamma chain genes could have evolved from a common ancestor shortly after the mouse-rabbit species separation. Genomic blot analysis of rabbit liver DNA with the rabbit C gamma probes shows a limited number of related sequences, with little restriction site polymorphism between individual rabbits.     

抗破伤风类毒素单抗可变区基因的克隆及在大肠杆菌中表达的三种工程抗体

The heavy and light chain variable region genes of anti-tetanus toxoid (TT) antibody and the heavy chain Fd genes were amplified and cloned through RT-PCR from mouse hybridoma cells. The sequences of VH and VK were determined. Fd gene fragments were expressed in E. coli. The ELISA results indicated that the expressed Fd showed antigen binding activity but was nonspecific. Furthermore, through SOE and PCR techniques, the VH and VK gene fragments together with ScFv linker were assembled into single chain antibody (ScFv) gene fragment. While together with human heavy chain CH 1 gene fragment and Fab linker, they were assembled into chimeric Fab gene fragment. The two assembled gene fragments were separately inserted into phagemid pHEN 1, which was a fd-based vector containing gene 3 encoding the minor coat protein. In presence of helper phage M 13-VCS the anti-TT phage-ScFv or phage-Fab were displayed on the surface of phage particles respectively. Results from phage-ELISA indicated that both phage antibodies were TT-specific.     

抗破伤风类毒素单抗可变区基因的克隆及在大肠杆菌中表达的三种工程抗体

我们采用RT-PCR,从小鼠杂交瘤细胞中扩增并克隆了抗破伤风类毒素(TT)抗体轻、重链可变区,重链Fd区基因,测定了其VH、Vk序列。并在大肠杆菌中表达了Fd片段,ELISA分析的结果表明Fd片段具有抗原结合的能力,但特异性很差。进一步采用SOE,和PCR技术,将VH、VK基因与ScFv连接片段组装成单链抗体(ScFv)基因片段,以及将人重链CH1和Fab基因连接片段组装成Fab基因片段。将它们分别插入含噬菌体fd外壳蛋白3基因的phagem-id pHEN 1中,在辅助噬菌体M 13-VCS作用下,噬菌体表面表达了抗TT的噬菌体单链抗体(phage-ScFv)与噬菌体Fab(phage-Fab),经ELISA检测,表明它们都能与TT特异结合。     

Nucleotide sequence of channel catfish heavy chain cDNA and genomic blot analyses. Implications for the phylogeny of Ig heavy chains

Our prior analyses defined the cDNA sequence on part of the CH2 domain, the complete CH3 and CH4 domains, and the 3'-untranslated region of a catfish H chain. To complete the catfish H chain mRNA sequence, a primer-extended H chain cDNA library was constructed. Analysis of this library has resulted in the definition of full-length clones encoding a 61-bp 5' untranslated region, a 51-bp leader sequence, the V region and the complete CH1 and CH2 domains. The high similarity defined with other vertebrate V regions readily allowed the catfish sequence to be divided into FR and CDR regions. Sequence comparisons with mammalian VH and JH genes strongly suggest that the catfish V region is the product of multiple genes. Using a catfish VH cDNA probe, at least 25 different genomic VH members were defined. Because this probe does not hybridize with other full-length H chain cDNA clones, additional VH families will likely be defined in catfish. Phylogenetic sequence comparisons of the catfish C region domains indicated that the CH1 and CH4 were the most highly conserved. In addition several important features were defined in genomic Southern blot analyses of catfish DNA. Gene titration experiments established that the catfish CH gene is represented by a single genomic copy. This finding provides clear evidence that the genomic organization of H chain genes in catfish must be different from that defined in sharks and suggests that the phylogeny of single copy CH genes may have been established at the level of the bony fishes. It is also likely that there is an additional CH gene in catfish. This gene is also represented by a single genomic copy, and based upon its relative signal intensity when compared with the known CH gene it appears to share higher similarity with the known CH1 domain than it does with the CH2 domain.     

Cloned embryonic DNA sequences flanking the mouse immunoglobulin C gamma 3 and C gamma 1 genes

To investigate the DNA surrounding genes for immunoglobulin heavy chain constant (CH) regions, we have isolated two clones bearing a C gamma 3 gene and two bearing a C gamma 1 gene from a library of mouse embryo DNA fragments. The C gamma 3 clones span 8.6 kilobase pairs (kb) on the 5' side of the gene and 6.7 kb on its 3' side, while the C gamma 1 clones together span 13 kb of 5' flanking sequence and 2.5 kb of 3' flanking sequence. Restriction mapping of the C gamma 3 gene indicates that intervening sequences divide the gene into segments of domain size, as in other CH genes. Hybridization of clone fragments to restriction digests of mouse DNA indicates that both the C gamma 1 and C gamma 3 genes probably occur as single copies in the genome. Moreover, the entire cloned sequences on the 5' side of both genes appear to be unique in the genome, indicating that no large common sequences flank CH genes. Restriction data suggest that the C gamma 3 gene is 37-40 kb 5' to the C gamma 1 gene.     

The immunoglobulin M heavy chain constant region gene of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus: an unusual mRNA splice pattern produces the membrane form of the molecule.

The immunoglobulin (IgM) heavy chain constant region gene of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, has been cloned and characterized. The gene contains four constant region domain-encoding exons (CH1 to CH4) expressed in the secreted form of the immunoglobulin, and two exons encoding the transmembrane (TM) domain utilized in the lymphocyte membrane receptor form of the immunoglobulin. The sequence of a cDNA clone encoding the 3' region of the message for the membrane receptor form of the mu chain indicates that the TM1 exon is spliced directly to the CH3 exon, and not into a site within the CH4 exon, as occurs in the mammals, a shark and an amphibian. This unusual pattern of splicing, which produces a membrane heavy chain that is characteristically smaller than the secreted heavy chain, may be common to all teleost fish.     

Specificity and molecular characteristics of monoclonal IgM rheumatoid factors from arthritic and non-arthritic mice

Two-hundred twenty-four hybridomas secreting monoclonal IgM rheumatoid factor (hIgMRF) derived from MRL-lpr/lpr, MRL-+/+ and C57BL/6-lpr/lpr autoimmune mice were analyzed with regard to IgG subclass and domain specificity, and some for VH gene expression patterns. Among these mice, only MRL-lpr/lpr develop arthritis. Clonotypes specific for each of the four mouse IgG subclasses and clonotypes reacting with more than one IgG subclass were identified. Although each panel contained several clonotypes, the predominant one differed in each strain (MRL-lpr/lpr, anti-IgG2a; MRL-+/+, combined anti-IgG2a and 2b; C57BL/6-lpr/lpr, anti-IgG1 or combined anti-IgG1, 2a, and 3). The IgG domains recognized by these monoclonals were defined with mutant Ig carrying IgG1 heavy chains that lacked either the CH1 or CH3 domains, variant Ig carrying hybrid IgG2b-2a heavy chains, and IgG fragments. Inhibition of hIgMRF binding to IgG substrates by protein A was also assessed. Most determinants were assigned to the CH3 domain, but determinants in the hinge region, CH2 domain, and in some instances, even in the Fab portion, could also be identified. Hybridization of cytoplasmic RNA from 35 classes of diverse IgG subclass specificity with VH gene probes representing seven of the approximately 10 VH families (7183, S107, Q52, J558, J606, 36-60, X24) indicated that approximately 90% of these clones expressed VH genes belonging to the large J558 gene family. The results indicate that murine IgMRF are extremely heterogeneous in IgG subclass and domain specificities; the genetic background influences RF specificity characteristics that may relate to pathogenicity; and considering the complexity of the J558 VH gene family and reported RF heavy chain assignments to additional VH gene families, it appears that VH genes encoding RF are diverse.     

鼠抗HFRSV衣壳蛋白McAb F3株可变区基因的获取及特性分析

培养鼠抗肾综合征出血热病毒衣壳蛋白Ｆ３杂交瘤细胞株,提取总ＲＮＡ,根据鼠源ＩｇＧ抗体基因家族可变区基因碱基序列的特点,设计简并引物,通过逆转录聚合酶链反应,获得抗体轻链可变区和重链可变区基因。分别将其克隆入载体ＰＴ７ＢｌｕｅＴ Ｖｅｃｔｏｒ,选取阳性重组克隆各两个,分别测定了所载重链可变区和轻链可变区基因的碱基序列,比较了不同克隆轻链可变区基因之间和重链可变区基因之间碱基序列的差异;分析了各自的氨基酸框架及其对应蛋白的亲水性。结果显示,两个重链可变区基因碱基序列有４处不同,同源性为９７９％;其中重组克隆ＺＧ３６４ ５Ｆ所载重链可变区基因有完整的开放阅读框架,对应的蛋白含有丰富的亲水基因,第１１２氨基酸处亲水性最高;另一重组克隆ＺＧ３６４ ４Ｆ所载重链可变区基因不能通读。两个轻链基因碱基序列有４处不同,同源性为９９１％,重组克隆ＺＧ３６５ ５Ｆ和ＺＧ３６５ ７Ｆ所载轻链可变区基因均有完整的开放阅读框架,对应的蛋白均含有丰富的亲水基因,ＺＧ３６５ ５Ｆ所载基因对应蛋白第６７氨基酸亲水性最高,ＺＧ３６５ ７Ｆ所载基因对应蛋白第３４氨基酸亲水性最高。     

Molecular cloning and sequencing of a murine pgk-1 pseudogene family

Seven genomic mouse DNA fragments carrying pgk-1-homologous regions have been cloned and sequenced. They have to be classified as processed genes because intervening sequences, present in their productive counterpart, are absent. Four pseudogenes (I-IV) represent nearly the complete sequence of pgk-1 cDNA. Two of these genes (I and II), although rather different from the published mouse pgk-1 cDNA in the 3'-untranslated region, represent the actual mouse pgk-1 cDNA sequence in the coding part except for substitutions in the third position of three codons. These genes can code for a functional PGK protein but, lacking as they do classical promoter structures, are probably not expressed. They show the typical characteristics of retroposons, being flanked by A-rich regions and direct repeats which are localized at the positions where the homology with the mouse pgk-1 cDNA is interrupted. Pseudogenes III and IV have numerous mutations. Gene III is also flanked by direct repeats, whereas gene IV is flanked by inverted repeats. The other three genes are flanked by direct repeats localized further inside the target sites. They are truncated and mutated extensively as usually observed with pseudogenes.     

Cloning and complete nucleotide sequence of mouse immunoglobulin gamma 1 chain gene.

The 6.6 kb DNA fragment coding for the immunoglobulin γ1 chain was cloned from newborn mouse DNA using λgtWES·λB as the EK2 vector. The complete nucleotide sequence (1823 bases) of the γ1 chain gene was determined. The cloned gene contained the entire constant region gene sequence as well as the poly(A) addition site, but not the variable region gene. The results indicate that the variable and constant region genes of immunoglobulin heavy chain are separated in newborn mouse DNA. The constant region genes of other gamma chains (that is, γ2a, γ2b and γ3) are not present in the cloned DNA fragment. The sequence demonstrates that the γ1 chain gene is interrupted by three intervening sequences at the junction of the domains and the hinge region, as previously shown in the γ2b and α chain genes and in the γ1 chain gene cloned from myeloma. The results suggest that the intervening sequence was introduced into the heavy chain gene before divergence of the heavy chain classes, and also support the hypothesis that the splicing mechanism has facilitated the evolution of eucaryotic genes by linking duplicated domains or prototype peptides not directly adjacent to one another. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the γ1 chain gene around the boundaries of the coding and intervening sequences with those of other mouse genes revealed extensive divergence, although short prevalent sequences of AG-GTCAG at the 5′ border of the intervening sequence and TCTGCAG-GC at the 3′ border were deduced. A limited homology of nucleotide sequences was found among domains and between the hinge region and the 5′ portion of the CH2 domain. Comparison of 3′ untranslated sequences from the γ1 and γ2b chain genes and the mouse major β-globin gene shows significant homology and a palindrome sequence surrounding the poly(A) addition site.     

Complete structure and organization of immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region genes in a phylogenetically primitive vertebrate

Immunoglobulin (Ig) gene organization in Heterodontus francisci (horned shark), a phylogenetically primitive vertebrate, is unique. Homologous Ig heavy chain variable (VH) and constant region (CH) specific probes were used to screen a spleen cDNA library constructed in lambda gt11. Both secretory (SEC) and transmembrane (TM) cDNA clones were recovered; the latter were identified by a negative selection strategy. The complete sequence of the CH portion of a Heterodontus genomic DNA-lambda clone also was determined. The sequences of the individual CH genes differ from each other in all exons. When compared to mammalian prototypes, similarities in exon and intron organization as well as conservation of sequences involved with differential splicing of SEC and TM mRNA indicate that Heterodontus heavy chain genes are of the mu type, although intron lengths are uniformly longer in Heterodontus. Heterodontus genes are not associated, however, with the family of DNA sequences that have been implicated in heavy chain class switching in mammals. Spleen cDNA library screening and RNA blot analyses indicate that mRNAs encoding TM Ig are exceedingly rare. The relationship between this quantitative difference and the distribution of polyadenylation signal sequences suggests that regulation of Ig gene expression in Heterodontus may be highly dependent on position effects.     

Retention and loss of immunoglobulin heavy chain alleles in helper T cell hybridoma clones

Retention or loss of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes was studied in 20 functional T cell hybridoma clones. DNA probes representing C mu, C alpha and JH genes, as well as VH subgroups II and III were hybridized with restriction enzyme fragments of hybridoma DNA by the Southern filter hybridization technique. Parental alleles of the hybridoma cells were distinguished on the basis of polymorphism of the lengths of restriction enzyme fragments. All clones retained the alleles of the lymphoma parent cell BW-5147 at all four loci. Thirteen clones lost both CH and VH alleles of the immune partner cell, whereas seven retained both VH alleles, and at least C alpha of the antigen-specific partner. Hence, T cell function in these cells is compatible with the loss of most immunoglobulin heavy chain alleles. This is interpreted to indicate either gene rearrangement and deletion, or chromosome loss. Accordingly, the T cell receptor is either controlled by two split gene loci in chromosome 12, at the two respective (5' and 3') ends of the mouse heavy chain gene family, or by a gene(s) outside chromosome 12.     

BiP and Immunoglobulin Light Chain Cooperate to Control the Folding of Heavy Chain and Ensure the Fidelity of Immunoglobulin Assembly

The immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule is composed of two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains (H2L2). Transport of this heteromeric complex is dependent on the correct assembly of the component parts, which is controlled, in part, by the association of incompletely assembled Ig heavy chains with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone, BiP. Although other heavy chain-constant domains interact transiently with BiP, in the absence of light chain synthesis, BiP binds stably to the first constant domain (CH1) of the heavy chain, causing it to be retained in the ER. Using a simplified two-domain Ig heavy chain (VH-CH1), we have determined why BiP remains bound to free heavy chains and how light chains facilitate their transport. We found that in the absence of light chain expression, the CH1 domain neither folds nor forms its intradomain disulfide bond and therefore remains a substrate for BiP. In vivo, light chains are required to facilitate both the folding of the CH1 domain and the release of BiP. In contrast, the addition of ATP to isolated BiP-heavy chain complexes in vitro causes the release of BiP and allows the CH1 domain to fold in the absence of light chains. Therefore, light chains are not intrinsically essential for CH1 domain folding, but play a critical role in removing BiP from the CH1 domain, thereby allowing it to fold and Ig assembly to proceed. These data suggest that the assembly of multimeric protein complexes in the ER is not strictly dependent on the proper folding of individual subunits; rather, assembly can drive the complete folding of protein subunits.     

Analysis of a cDNA sequence encoding the immunoglobulin heavy chain of the Antarctic teleost Trematomus bernacchii

A spleen cDNA library was constructed from the Antarctic teleost Trematomus bernacchii and immunoscreened with rabbit IgG specific for T. bernacchii Ig heavy chain. Eleven cDNA clones, varying in size and encoding the entire heavy chain or parts of it, were isolated. Here the complete nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of clone 2C2 encoding the secretory IgH chain form are reported. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of the entire constant region of the T. bernacchii Ig heavy chain with those from other teleosts and two holostean fish showed percent identity ranging 53.6-60.6%, with the highest values found for Salmoniformes. The multiple sequence alignment revealed the presence of two remarkable insertions: one at the VH-CH1 boundary and a second one, not found in any other IgM heavy chain, localised at the CH2-CH3 boundary. The latter occurred in the region proposed to act as a 'hinge', and resulted in a CH2-CH3 hinge peptide longer than any other IgM hinge. Differences were also found in the number and position of putative N-glycosylation sites of the compared sequences. It is suggested that the unusual features found in the T. bernacchii Ig heavy chain might contribute to the flexibility of the Ig molecule and help understand more about the adaptation of Ig molecules to the polar sea environment.     

15N, 13C and 1H resonance assignments and secondary structure determination of a variable heavy domain of a heavy chain antibody

Heavy chain antibodies differ in structure to conventional antibodies lacking both the light chain and the first heavy chain constant domain (CH1). Characteristics of the antigen-binding variable heavy domain of the heavy chain antibody (VHH) including the smaller size, high solubility and stability make them an attractive alternative to more traditional antibody fragments for detailed NMR-based structural analysis. Here we report essentially complete backbone and side chain ¹⁵N, ¹³C and ¹H assignments for a free VHH. Analysis of the backbone chemical shift data obtained indicates that the VHH is comprised predominantly of β-sheets corresponding to nearly 60 % of the protein backbone.     

Immunoglobulin heavy chain constant and heavy chain variable region genes in phylogenetically diverse species of bony fish

Summary Genomic DNA from 18 phylogenetically diverse species of bony fish was hybridized with probes specific for the channel catfish immunoglobulin heavy chain constant (CH) gene, as well as with immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (VH) probes specific for five channel catfish VH gene families. The results showed that CH probes strongly hybridized only to genomic fragments from other catfish species. In contrast, restricted DNA from most other species hybridized with at least two channel catfish VH probes. In those species whose DNA hybridized with multiple VH probes, the restriction pattern of hybridizing fragments was probe-dependent. These studies suggest that (1) the CH gene defined in channel catfish appears to share similarity only with CH genes in other catfish species, (2) families of VH genes appear to have diverged in early phylogenetic lineages of teleosts, and (3) VH genes similar to those defined in catfish appear to be widely represented in phylogenetically diverse species of teleosts.     

Gene transfer of immunoglobulin light chain restores heavy chain secretion

Several lines of evidence suggest that immunoglobulin (Ig) light (L) chain plays a role in the secretion of heavy (H) chain. For example, myeloma variant lines, which synthesize the Ig H chain but not the L chain, fail to secrete H chain protein. Here we have tested directly the role of chain assembly in the control of Ig secretion by the transfer of functional L chain genes into two such L chain-defective myeloma mutants. A lambda 2 or kappa L chain gene was introduced into variant lines of the mouse myelomas MOPC 315 (IgA, lambda 2) or PC7 (IgM, kappa), respectively. Although the two mutant lines are unable to secrete the H chain they produce, rescue of secretion of complete Ig protein molecules (IgA or IgM) was observed after transfection. These results imply that the secretory apparatus of these cells is intact and that the failure to secrete free H chain reflects a structural feature intrinsic to that protein. The implications of these results with respect to control of secretion of multi-subunit proteins are discussed.     

甲型H1N1流感病毒血凝素单克隆抗体轻链和重链可变区基因的巢式PCR扩增及序列分析

目的：采用巢式PCR对甲型H1N1流感病毒血凝素单克隆抗体的轻链和重链基因进行扩增,对获得的基因进行序列分析,并找出克隆鼠Igκ轻链和重链可变区基因的通用方法。方法：设计22对扩增鼠Igκ轻链可变区和重链可变区基因的引物,对6株鼠抗人甲型H1N1流感病毒血凝素单克隆抗体的轻链和重链可变区基因进行克隆并测序,与NCBI公布的鼠免疫球蛋白序列比对分析。结果：巢式PCR方法可以有效避免单克隆抗体克隆过程的假基因,并且得到的单克隆抗体的氨基酸序列均符合鼠免疫球蛋白可变区特征。结论：建立了克隆鼠免疫球蛋白轻链和重链可变区基因的通用方法,为后期克隆鼠源性单克隆抗体的可变区基因提供了基础,并为研究甲型H1N1流感病毒血凝素与抗体的结合位点提供了实验数据。     

Cloning and sequence analysis of channel catfish heavy chain cDNA indicate phylogenetic diversity within the IgM immunoglobulin family

Catfish cDNA libraries were constructed using the poly(A+) RNA obtained from in vitro stimulated catfish leukocytes. Antigenic analysis with different antisera to catfish Ig resulted in the definition of cDNA clones encoding the catfish H chain. Sequence analysis confirmed that the catfish H chain was definitively identified, based on its similarities with chicken and mouse mu chains. Two clones were each shown to encode part of the CH2 domain, the complete CH3 and CH4 domains, the C-terminus, and a 184-bp 3' untranslated region before the poly(A+) tail. The conservation of domain size and structure is clearly evident. The two cysteines forming the intradomain disulfide bridge, as well as the tryptophans located within each domain, are absolutely conserved. There are four carbohydrate acceptor sites in the catfish H chain, only one of which is phylogenetically conserved. Of the six sequenced H chain clones, one was found to differ in a single base in the CH3, which results in the loss of a carbohydrate acceptor site. Whether this difference indicates isotypic variation between closely related genes or somatic mutation is unresolved. Amino acid sequence comparisons indicate that there is a approximately 24% similarity when the catfish H chain is aligned with mouse mu chains. This is considerably less than the approximately 40% amino acid conservation found between the chicken and mouse mu chain. The amino acid sequence of the catfish H chain is most conserved in the C-terminus (approximately 30%) and the CH4 (approximately 26%); there is less conservation in the CH3 (approximately 20%) when comparisons are made with mouse mu chain. The CH3 domain of the catfish H chain also has different hydropathy properties, when compared with the CH3 domain of the higher vertebrate mu chains. Finally, the sequence of the catfish H chain indicates an unusual arrangement of the cysteines that likely participate in intersubunit and inter-H chain disulfide linkages. The disulfide linkage of these cysteines during Ig polymerization may account for the unusual covalent architecture associated with the catfish tetramer.     

A mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain deletion mutant: isolation of a cDNA clone and sequence analysis of the mRNA

The mouse cell line IF2 secretes an immunoglobulin heavy chain lacking the CH1 domain. We have isolated and characterised a recombinant plasmid containing cDNA copies of the IF2 mutant mRNA. The cloned sequence extends from the nucleotides coding for amino acid 96 in the variable region through 100 nucleotides of untranslated region at the 3' end. The sequence of the cDNA insert reveals no discontinuity at the variable-hinge region junction, the site of the CH1 deletion. Experiments employing direct priming on the poly(A) tail of the IF2 heavy chain mRNA suggest that the 3' end of the cDNA clone (sequence C-C-C-T-G-C) is also the 3' end of the mRNA.