VH gene family utilization is regulated by a locus outside of the VH region.
We have used the RNA colony blot method to examine VH usage in colonies derived from primary splenic B cells. We found that there are strain-specific differences in the pattern of VH usage. Using parental F1, congenic, and recombinant inbred strains we demonstrate that the genetic element that causes the observed phenotype is: (a) stably expressed; (b) not due to maternal influence; (c) not due to dominate diffusible factors; (d) not linked to cloning efficiency; and (e) outside the Igh locus.
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000276:immunology*; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000235:genetics; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology
D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D012313:RNA