title: Normal T cell development is possible without 'functional' gamma chain genes.
abstract: The T cell-specific gamma gene family is organized into four V, J and C gene segments containing clusters (gamma 1, gamma 2, gamma 3, gamma 4) in germline DNA. We found that the V, J and C elements of gamma 2 are physically linked on a stretch of 6 kb of DNA while those of gamma 3 are found within a 15-kb region. Rearrangements take place only within the clusters, explaining the rigid rearrangement patterns seen in T lymphocytes. New V gamma, J gamma and C gamma gene segments were discovered and characterized allowing the better understanding of the potential germline diversity of the gamma gene family. No correlation with T cell function, i.e. cytolytic or helper, and the type of the productive gamma rearrangement could be established. In contrast we found that functional T cell clones have been able to mature without any functional gamma chain genes.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D005796:Genes; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D007142:Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008806:Mice, Inbred AKR; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010954:Plasmacytoma; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013945:Thymoma / Q000276:immunology; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007142:Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes