title: Somatic diversification of the S107 (T15) VH11 germ-line gene that encodes the heavy-chain variable region of antibodies to double-stranded DNA in (NZB x NZW)F1 mice.
abstract: A variety of studies suggest that members of the S107 (T15) heavy-chain variable-region gene family contribute to the autoimmune response of mice and humans to DNA. To identify the germ-line gene(s) involved and the degree of somatic diversification that occurs in such autoantibodies, we determined the mRNA sequence of the heavy and light chains of a group of monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies encoded by the S107 VH11 germ-line gene in (NZB x NZW)F1 mice. We also cloned and sequenced the VH11 germ-line gene of the NZB and NZW parental strains. The VH11 coding sequences of the two strains were identical. Comparison with this heavy-chain germ-line sequence showed that the variable regions of the monoclonal antibodies had undergone considerable somatic diversification.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000235:genetics*; D000916:Antibody Diversity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology*; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA