Identification of a T cell receptor beta chain variable region, V beta 20, that is differentially expressed in various strains of mice.
A cDNA library of TCR beta chain transcripts from BALB/c thymocytes was constructed using anchored polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Screening of this library led to the identification of a V beta gene segment, V beta 20, structurally related to V beta 3 and V beta 17. Genomic analysis of mice displaying deletions in their V beta loci, together with mapping of cosmid clones, situated V beta 20 2.5 kb beside V beta 17. The expression of V beta 20 was estimated by PCR in mice of different H-2 and Mls types. Peripheral T cells from H-2k and H-2d mice did not express V beta 20, whereas in I-E-negative mice (C57Bl/6 and SJL), V beta 20 transcripts were detected. The lack of V beta 20 transcripts in (C57Bl/6 x CBA/J)F1, (C57Bl/6 x BALB/c)F1, and in congenic B6.H-2k mice suggests that the differential use of V beta 20 is due to an I-E-mediated clonal deletion process. The involvement of the Mls super antigens was excluded by analysis of all Mls type combinations. The nature of the V beta 20-deleting element(s) is discussed in the context of the I-E/superantigen systems controlling the expression of V beta 11 and V beta 17.
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Département d'Immunologie, Institut Pasteur, UA CNRS 359, Paris, France.
Jouvin-Marche
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E
Loh
D Y
DY
Cazenave
P A
PA
Marche
P N
PN
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D013045:Species Specificity
D006183:H-2 Antigens; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta