title: Genomic structure and expression of immunoglobulins in Squamata.
abstract: The Squamata order represents a major evolutionary reptile lineage, yet the structure and expression of immunoglobulins in this order has been scarcely studied in detail. From the genome sequences of four Squamata species (Gekko japonicus, Ophisaurus gracilis, Pogona vitticeps and Ophiophagus hannah) and RNA-seq datasets from 18 other Squamata species, we identified the immunoglobulins present in these animals as well as the tissues in which they are found. All Squamata have at least three immunoglobulin classes; namely, the immunoglobulins M, D, and Y. Unlike mammals, however, we provide evidence that some Squamata lineages possess more than one Cμ gene which is located downstream from the Cδ gene. The existence of two evolutionary lineages of immunoglobulin Y is shown. Additionally, it is demonstrated that while all Squamata species possess the λ light chain, only Iguanidae species possess the κ light chain.
authors.affiliation: School of Computer Science, University of Vigo, Ourense 32004, Spain. Electronic address: olivieri@ei.uvigo.es.
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Olivieri
authors.affiliation: Area of Immunology, Faculty of Biology, and Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain.
authors.forename: Elina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garet
authors.affiliation: Area of Immunology, Faculty of Biology, and Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Estevez
authors.affiliation: Nanoimmunotech SL, Pza. Fernando Conde, Montero Ríos 9, 3620 Vigo, Spain; Instituto Biomédico de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Espinel
authors.affiliation: Instituto Biomédico de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain; Servicio Gallego de Salud (SERGAS), Unidad de Inmunología, Hospital do Meixoeiro, 36210 Vigo, Spain. Electronic address: fgambon@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gambón-Deza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D016678:Genome; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012104:Reptiles / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins
keywords: Reptile RNAseq; Reptile evolution; Reptile immunoglobulins