Abstract
The human λ immunoglobulin locus displays a series of restriction fragment length polymorphisms that are readily detected in small populations of normal individuals1. Similar polymorphisms appear in populations of wild mice, suggesting that the λ locus1–5 is subject to rapid variation within a single species6. Here we show that the polymorphisms seen in the human λ locus seem to have arisen from unequal meiotic crossing over, altering the number of λ genes from as few as six to as many as nine per haploid genome. This expansion and contraction in the number of human λ genes is significant in that it may affect an individual's capacity to produce variation among λ light chain genes.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hieter, P. A., Hollis, G. F., Korsmeyer, S. J., Waldman, T. A. & Leder, P. Nature 294, 536–540 (1981).
Blomberg, B., Traunecker, A., Eisen, H. & Tonegawa, S. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78, 3765–3769 (1981).
Miller, J., Bothwell, A. & Storb, U. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78, 3829–3833 (1981).
Blomberg, B. & Tonegawa, S. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 79, 530–533 (1982).
Selsing, E., Miller, J., Wilson, R. & Storb, U. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 79, 4681–4685 (1982).
Scott, C. et al. Nature 300, 757–760 (1982).
Hollis, G. F., Hieter, P. A., McBride, O. W., Swan, D. & Leder, P. Nature 296, 321–325 (1982).
Sakano, H., Huppi, K., Heinrich, G. & Tonegawa, S. Nature 280, 288–294 (1979).
Seidman, J. G., Max, E. E. & Leder, P. Nature 280, 370–375 (1979).
Max, E. E., Seidman, J. G. & Leder, P. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 76, 3450–3454 (1979).
Southern, E. J. molec. Biol. 98, 503–517 (1975).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Taub, R., Hollis, G., Hieter, P. et al. Variable amplification of immunoglobulin λ light-chain genes in human populations. Nature 304, 172–174 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/304172a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/304172a0
This article is cited by
-
Characterization of the immunoglobulin lambda chain locus from diverse populations reveals extensive genetic variation
Genes & Immunity (2022)
-
Sequencing of the human IG light chain loci from a hydatidiform mole BAC library reveals locus-specific signatures of genetic diversity
Genes & Immunity (2015)
-
Determination of gene organization in the human IGHV region on single chromosomes
Genes & Immunity (2005)
-
Design and standardization of PCR primers and protocols for detection of clonal immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene recombinations in suspect lymphoproliferations: Report of the BIOMED-2 Concerted Action BMH4-CT98-3936
Leukemia (2003)
-
Immunoglobulin lambda isotype gene rearrangements in B cell malignancies
Leukemia (2001)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
