title: Polymorphism of the human T cell receptor alpha chain variable genes: identification of a highly polymorphic V gene probe.
abstract: In this study, we report the RFLP of the human T cell receptor (TCR) alpha chain variable gene segments. Using DNA samples from 20 individuals and three restriction endonucleases (BamHI, EcoRI and HindIII), the degree of RFLP of a number of different V gene segments was defined. Half of the V alpha subfamilies (6/12) were characterized by a predominant hybridization pattern, with only a few individuals displaying a second pattern. However, one particular V gene family, V alpha 6, has at least five allelic forms that segregated consistently in familial studies. The V alpha polymorphisms revealed in this study, together with those exhibited by V beta gene subfamilies, should prove useful in studying possible associations between TCR gene usage and disorders of the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baillie
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Meske
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sheehy
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Mak
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D015342:DNA Probes; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta