Identification and characterization of new murine T cell receptor beta chain variable region (V beta) genes.
By screening previously isolated genomic clones spanning the mouse TCR V beta locus with V beta-specific oligonucleotides, we have isolated one new functional V beta gene and six V beta pseudogenes. Because this method of identifying new genes does not depend on expression levels, we conclude that most, if not all, V beta genes in the mouse have been identified. The newly identified pseudogenes increase the frequency of mouse TCR V beta pseudogenes to 28%, a frequency similar to that estimated for mouse Ig VH pseudogenes (24). Three of the newly discovered pseudogenes are clustered in a region around another pseudogene (V beta 17b). The extensive DNA diversity, as reflected in both the nucleotide sequence and the RFLP, indicates that this genomic region is a possible hotspot of recombination. The new functional gene, V beta 19a, is expressed at very low levels, which explains why it has not been isolated earlier. V beta 19 shows expression patterns that correlate with the previously described Va beta and Vb beta haplotypes.
Louie
M C
MC
Department of Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
Nelson
C A
CA
Loh
D Y
DY
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D015870:Gene Expression; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta