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Rearrangement of genetic information may produce immunoglobulin diversity

Nature volume 276, pages 785–790 (1978)Cite this article

Abstract

The nearly complete amino-acid sequences of 22 closely related immunoglobulin κ variable (Vκ) regions from the inbred NZB mouse are presented. This group of Vκ regions is encoded by at least six germline Vκ genes. These data also suggest that the mouse κ gene is divided into three segments termed V or variable (residues 1 to 98 or 99), J or joining (residues 99 or 100 to 112) and C or constant (residues 113–219). Tonegawa et al. have recently described a similar J segment for mouse λ chains. Inbred mice contain multiple Vκ and Jκ gene segments. Therefore, different combinations of V and J gene segments may be joined at the DNA level during the differentiation of individual lymphocytes to contribute to antibody diversity.

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Author notes

  1. J. Schilling

    Present address: Biochemistry Department, Stanford Medical School, Stanford, California, 94305

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19111

    M. Weigert & L. Gatmaitan

  2. Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125

    E. Loh, J. Schilling & L. Hood

Authors
  1. M. Weigert
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  2. L. Gatmaitan
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  3. E. Loh
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  4. J. Schilling
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  5. L. Hood
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Weigert, M., Gatmaitan, L., Loh, E. et al. Rearrangement of genetic information may produce immunoglobulin diversity. Nature 276, 785–790 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/276785a0

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