Biomaterial Database

Heterogeneity in the human Ig VH locus. 1989

K Willems van Dijk, and H W Schroeder, and R M Perlmutter, and E C Milner

Virginia Mason Research Center, Seattle, WA 98101.

We have used synthetic oligonucleotides corresponding to human VH sequences to analyze sequence variation in human genomic DNA. By using probes 20 to 24 bp long and conditions of hybridization and washing under which identity in 17 to 21 consecutive bp is required for hybridization, it has been possible to dramatically reduce the complexity of hybridization patterns. We have been able to identify unambiguously individual VH elements. Concomitant with the reduction in overall complexity of hybridization patterns has been a marked increase in the variation between hybridization patterns when different individuals are compared. Variation between individuals was detected using probes corresponding to both framework and complementarity determining regions and depended in part on the complexity of the corresponding VH gene family. Probes corresponding to a cDNA clone belonging to the single-member VH6 family, hybridized to a single, invariant, band in all individuals tested. An oligonucleotide probe corresponding to CDR2 of one member of the VH3 family also detected a single, invariant, band in all individuals tested. However, an oligonucleotide probe corresponding to framework region 2 revealed variants of more than 40% of the 22 VH elements it detects. In addition, a panel of 5 oligonucleotide probes corresponding to a second member of the VH3 family revealed variants of 10 of 14 elements detected. The patterns of variation suggest that some VH elements have multiple alleles, whereas some elements are remarkably conserved. The number of variant elements we have detected is evidence that the haplotype arrangement of the human VH locus is probably extremely complex. Importantly, this heterogeneity may contribute directly to disease susceptibility in man.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007135	Immunoglobulin Variable Region	That region of the immunoglobulin molecule that varies in its amino acid sequence and composition, and comprises the binding site for a specific antigen. It is located at the N-terminus of the Fab fragment of the immunoglobulin. It includes hypervariable regions (COMPLEMENTARITY DETERMINING REGIONS) and framework regions.	Variable Region, Ig,Variable Region, Immunoglobulin,Framework Region, Immunoglobulin,Fv Antibody Fragments,Fv Fragments,Ig Framework Region,Ig Variable Region,Immunoglobulin Framework Region,Immunoglobulin Fv Fragments,Immunoglobulin V,Antibody Fragment, Fv,Antibody Fragments, Fv,Fragment, Fv,Fragment, Fv Antibody,Fragment, Immunoglobulin Fv,Fragments, Fv,Fragments, Fv Antibody,Fragments, Immunoglobulin Fv,Framework Region, Ig,Framework Regions, Ig,Framework Regions, Immunoglobulin,Fv Antibody Fragment,Fv Fragment,Fv Fragment, Immunoglobulin,Fv Fragments, Immunoglobulin,Ig Framework Regions,Ig Variable Regions,Immunoglobulin Framework Regions,Immunoglobulin Fv Fragment,Immunoglobulin Variable Regions,Regions, Immunoglobulin Variable,Variable Regions, Ig,Variable Regions, Immunoglobulin
D007143	Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains	The largest of polypeptide chains comprising immunoglobulins. They contain 450 to 600 amino acid residues per chain, and have molecular weights of 51-72 kDa.	Immunoglobulins, Heavy-Chain,Heavy-Chain Immunoglobulins,Ig Heavy Chains,Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain,Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Subgroup VH-I,Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Subgroup VH-III,Heavy Chain Immunoglobulins,Heavy Chain, Immunoglobulin,Heavy Chains, Ig,Heavy Chains, Immunoglobulin,Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Subgroup VH I,Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Subgroup VH III,Immunoglobulins, Heavy Chain
D009693	Nucleic Acid Hybridization	Widely used technique which exploits the ability of complementary sequences in single-stranded DNAs or RNAs to pair with each other to form a double helix. Hybridization can take place between two complimentary DNA sequences, between a single-stranded DNA and a complementary RNA, or between two RNA sequences. The technique is used to detect and isolate specific sequences, measure homology, or define other characteristics of one or both strands. (Kendrew, Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology, 1994, p503)	Genomic Hybridization,Acid Hybridization, Nucleic,Acid Hybridizations, Nucleic,Genomic Hybridizations,Hybridization, Genomic,Hybridization, Nucleic Acid,Hybridizations, Genomic,Hybridizations, Nucleic Acid,Nucleic Acid Hybridizations
D010375	Pedigree	The record of descent or ancestry, particularly of a particular condition or trait, indicating individual family members, their relationships, and their status with respect to the trait or condition.	Family Tree,Genealogical Tree,Genealogic Tree,Genetic Identity,Identity, Genetic,Family Trees,Genealogic Trees,Genealogical Trees,Genetic Identities,Identities, Genetic,Tree, Family,Tree, Genealogic,Tree, Genealogical,Trees, Family,Trees, Genealogic,Trees, Genealogical
D003001	Cloning, Molecular	The insertion of recombinant DNA molecules from prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic sources into a replicating vehicle, such as a plasmid or virus vector, and the introduction of the resultant hybrid molecules into recipient cells without altering the viability of those cells.	Molecular Cloning
D004247	DNA	A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine).	DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D005810	Multigene Family	A set of genes descended by duplication and variation from some ancestral gene. Such genes may be clustered together on the same chromosome or dispersed on different chromosomes. Examples of multigene families include those that encode the hemoglobins, immunoglobulins, histocompatibility antigens, actins, tubulins, keratins, collagens, heat shock proteins, salivary glue proteins, chorion proteins, cuticle proteins, yolk proteins, and phaseolins, as well as histones, ribosomal RNA, and transfer RNA genes. The latter three are examples of reiterated genes, where hundreds of identical genes are present in a tandem array. (King & Stanfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Gene Clusters,Genes, Reiterated,Cluster, Gene,Clusters, Gene,Families, Multigene,Family, Multigene,Gene Cluster,Gene, Reiterated,Multigene Families,Reiterated Gene,Reiterated Genes
D005854	Germ Cells	The reproductive cells in multicellular organisms at various stages during GAMETOGENESIS.	Gamete,Gametes,Germ-Line Cells,Germ Line,Cell, Germ,Cell, Germ-Line,Cells, Germ,Cells, Germ-Line,Germ Cell,Germ Line Cells,Germ Lines,Germ-Line Cell
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000916	Antibody Diversity	The phenomenon of immense variability characteristic of ANTIBODIES. It enables the IMMUNE SYSTEM to react specifically against the essentially unlimited kinds of ANTIGENS it encounters. Antibody diversity is accounted for by three main theories: (1) the Germ Line Theory, which holds that each antibody-producing cell has genes coding for all possible antibody specificities, but expresses only the one stimulated by antigen; (2) the Somatic Mutation Theory, which holds that antibody-producing cells contain only a few genes, which produce antibody diversity by mutation; and (3) the Gene Rearrangement Theory, which holds that antibody diversity is generated by the rearrangement of IMMUNOGLOBULIN VARIABLE REGION gene segments during the differentiation of the ANTIBODY-PRODUCING CELLS.	Germ Line Theory,Antibody Diversities,Diversities, Antibody,Diversity, Antibody,Germ Line Theories,Theories, Germ Line,Theory, Germ Line