Molecular evolution of V(H)9 germline genes isolated from DBA, BALB, 129 and C57BL mouse strains and sublines.
We have used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in an attempt to clone and sequence the exons and hitherto unavailable contiguous flanks of all members of the small V(H) 9 germline gene family from inbred mouse strains and sublines that have had a common ancestry within the last century, and to analyze the molecular evolution of these sequences. Fifteen genuine germline genes were isolated (designated V(H) 9.1 through V(H) 9.15) from strains and sublines of DBA, BALB, 129 and C57BL inbred mice. Of the 15 genuine isolates, nine are novel: seven sequences from DBA strains and sublines ( V(H) 9.3 to V(H) 9.9) and two sequences from C57BL strains ( V(H) 9.13 and V(H) 9.14). We have identified sequencing errors and PCR recombinant artefacts in previously published sequences. We detected no sequence divergence of individual genes shared by the strains and sublines studied. However, we isolated two genes from DBA strains and sublines, V(H) 9.1 and V(H) 9.3, that differ only by five nucleotides encoding three amino acid changes that are concentrated within a 33 nucleotide (11 codon) region. Of these 11 codons, eight encode a putative antigen binding site. There were no differences in the remaining 733 nucleotides sequenced (including both 5' and 3' flanking regions). Potential explanations for the generation of V(H) 9.1 and V(H) 9.3 are discussed.
Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, NSW 2522, Wollongong, Australia.|Division of Immunology and Genetics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, PO Box 334, ACT 2601, Canberra, Australia.
Paula
P
Zylstra
Division of Immunology and Genetics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, PO Box 334, ACT 2601, Canberra, Australia.
Andrew
A
Franklin
Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, NSW 2522, Wollongong, Australia.
Karl A
KA
Hassan
Division of Immunology and Genetics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, PO Box 334, ACT 2601, Canberra, Australia.
Kim L
KL
Powell
Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, NSW 2522, Wollongong, Australia.|Division of Immunology and Genetics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, PO Box 334, ACT 2601, Canberra, Australia.
Edward J
EJ
Steele
Division of Immunology and Genetics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, PO Box 334, ACT 2601, Canberra, Australia. Robert.Blanden@anu.edu.au.
Robert V
RV
Blanden
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000235:genetics*; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL / Q000235:genetics*; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016415:Sequence Alignment
D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region