title: Evolution of a multigene family of V kappa germ line genes.
abstract: We have isolated a series of related V kappa germ line genes from a BALB/c sperm DNA library. DNA sequence analysis of four members of this V kappa 24 multigene family implies that three V kappa genes are functional whereas the fourth one (psi V kappa 24) is a pseudogene. The prototype gene (V kappa 24) encodes the variable region gene segment expressed in an immune response against phosphorylcholine. The other two functional genes (V kappa 24A and V kappa 24B) may be expressed against streptococcal group A carbohydrate. The time of divergence of the four genes was estimated by the rate of synonymous nucleotide changes. This implies that an ancestral gene has duplicated approximately 33-35 million years ago and a subsequent gene duplication event has occurred approximately 23 million years ago.
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005796:Genes; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D004247:DNA