title: Structure and organization of the T cell receptor alpha chain genes in Atlantic salmon.
abstract: A cDNA fragment of the T cell receptor (TCR) alpha chain mRNA in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was amplified by PCR and used as a probe to isolate a full-length clone from a leukocyte cDNA library. Additionally, a genomic lambda clone comprising the TCR alpha chain constant region (Calpha) gene and flanking regions was isolated and partially sequenced. The Calpha gene consists of three exons corresponding to the immunoglobulin (Ig) domain, the hinge region and the transmembrane peptide/cytoplasmatic tail, and two exons corresponding to the untranslated tail of the mRNA. Remnants of a transposase gene and a partial duplication of the Calpha gene were found nearby the intact gene. One J segment was found 1.5kb upstream of the Calpha gene. Twenty-six other J elements were identified among cDNA fragments covering the V/J/Calpha junction. Representatives of five Valpha gene families were identified by PCR amplification of genomic DNA fragments. PCR amplification of Calpha fragments from another individual revealed a slightly different Calpha gene which most likely represents an allelic variant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Bergen, High Technology Centre in Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway. ivar.hordvik@bio.uib.no
authors.forename: Ivar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hordvik
authors.forename: Jannicke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torvund
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Curt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Endresen
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D040461:Gene Components; D015723:Gene Library; D019673:Genes, T-Cell Receptor alpha; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012474:Salmon / Q000235:genetics*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017421:Sequence Analysis