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Biomedical subjects

D Givol

Publications and source records attributed to D Givol.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Monoclonal anti-VH antibodies recognize a common VH determinant expressed on immunoglobulin heavy chains from various species.

Our previous work using rabbit antibodies to the variable region of MOPC315 myeloma heavy chain (VH) has indicated the existence of framework determinant(s) common to many murine heavy chains. Here we report the characterization of anti-VH monoclonal antibodies (mAb) prepared in an attempt to elucidate the nature of the common VH determinant. We immunized AKR/J mice with a purified VH315 fragment and generated somatic cell hybrids by the fusion of the immune AKR/J splenocytes with the NS1 myeloma cells. Thirty-seven common anti-VH and 57 subgroup VHI-specific hybridomas have been established and characterized. Whereas the anti-subgroup mAb seemed to react with a determinant unique to the MOPC315 (mouse VHI) subgroup, all the anti-VH mAb reacted with myeloma heavy chains of different VH subgroups, class and allotypes. Antibody competition studies revealed that the VH subgroup determinants are distinct from the common VH determinants and that both were also recognized by the rabbit polyclonal antibodies. The common VH determinants were found to be "hidden" determinants on intact immunoglobulin molecules being exposed only on isolated heavy chains. Furthermore, they are sequential determinants since they are preserved on fully denatured heavy chains. The common VH determinants are shared by immunoglobulins of a wide range of vertebrates from amphibia to man and thus represent antigenic structures which were highly conserved throughout evolution.

Animals↗

Simultaneous expression of mu- and gamma-chain mRNA in cloned murine B-lymphoma cell lines.

The expression of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes was studied in five murine B-lymphomas known from previous studies to express either mu (38C-13), mu + delta (L10A, K46, BCL1) or gamma chains (A20). The presence of mu- and gamma-mRNAs in these tumors was determined by Northern blot analyses of the total cell poly(A)+ mRNA, using the appropriate 32P-labeled recombinant plasmid probes. In four out of the five lymphomas examined, both mu- and gamma-mRNAs were detected. The mu-mRNA appeared as multiple discrete bands of 1.9-3.0 kb. In three out of the four lymphomas, the gamma-mRNA appeared as two bands, a major one of 1.9 and a minor one of 3.9 kb. Three myelomas examined by similar methods did not contain more than one class of heavy chain mRNA. Reexamination of the Ig chains produced by the B-lymphomas which expressed both mu- and gamma-mRNAs revealed that two of them preserved their original phenotype and expressed mu (38C-13) or gamma chains only (A20). In contrast, two of the cell lines previously shown to express mu but not gamma chains (i.e., L10A and K46R) had changed during growth in culture and 'switched' to the production of gamma chains only. These results indicate that, in contrast to myelomas, B-lymphomas possess two classes of mRNA. However, the production of heavy chain mRNA in B-lymphomas is not necessarily accompanied by synthesis of the corresponding polypeptide chains. More studies are necessary to find out whether the expression of 'non-productive' heavy chain mRNA molecules in B-lymphomas is related to the phenomena of 'allelic exclusion' and/or the 'heavy chain switch' which occurs during the maturation of B-cells.

Animals↗

Retention and loss of immunoglobulin heavy chain alleles in helper T cell hybridoma clones.

Retention or loss of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes was studied in 20 functional T cell hybridoma clones. DNA probes representing C mu, C alpha and JH genes, as well as VH subgroups II and III were hybridized with restriction enzyme fragments of hybridoma DNA by the Southern filter hybridization technique. Parental alleles of the hybridoma cells were distinguished on the basis of polymorphism of the lengths of restriction enzyme fragments. All clones retained the alleles of the lymphoma parent cell BW-5147 at all four loci. Thirteen clones lost both CH and VH alleles of the immune partner cell, whereas seven retained both VH alleles, and at least C alpha of the antigen-specific partner. Hence, T cell function in these cells is compatible with the loss of most immunoglobulin heavy chain alleles. This is interpreted to indicate either gene rearrangement and deletion, or chromosome loss. Accordingly, the T cell receptor is either controlled by two split gene loci in chromosome 12, at the two respective (5' and 3') ends of the mouse heavy chain gene family, or by a gene(s) outside chromosome 12.

Alleles↗

Analysis of recombinant DNA clones specific for the murine p53 cellular tumor antigen.

Three cDNA clones, corresponding to two non-overlapping regions of the mRNA coding for the mouse p53 cellular tumor antigen, were isolated and characterized. In hybridization-selection assays, these clones were capable of selectively binding p53 mRNA, as demonstrated by in vitro translation and immunoprecipitation with anti-p53 monoclonal antibodies. The p53 mRNA appeared to be the only messenger species specifically selected by these clones. The size of the p53 mRNA was found to be approximately 2 kb, and its levels to vary substantially among different types of transformed cells. Evidence was found for the existence of two distinct p53-specific genes in mouse genomic DNA. Two partially overlapping recombinant phage clones were obtained, both derived from the same p53-specific genomic DNA region. The orientation of the various cDNA clones relative to that of the p53 mRNA was established by S1 analysis and the relationship between the cDNA clones and the genomic ones was determined by comparative restriction enzyme mapping and nucleic acid hybridization.

Animals↗

Conservation and divergence of immunoglobulin VH pseudogenes.

The 12 immunoglobulin VH pseudogenes, that have been characterized to date, differ from most pseudogenes of other multigene families in two aspects: (i) they carry only one (11 cases) or at the most two (1 case) deleterious mutations and (ii) they show no evidence of increased divergence from intact VH genes. We describe here the first immunoglobulin VH pseudogene that does not have these characteristics. This pseudogene accumulated numerous deleterious mutations and diverged considerably from other genes of the VH gene family to which it belongs. In possible contrast to the other VH pseudogenes, this pseudogene seems to be selectively neutral. We discuss the implications of the characterization of this diverged VH pseudogene in relation to our understanding of the genetic mechanisms that generate diversity among germline immunoglobulin VH genes.

Animals↗

Allelic immunoglobulin VH genes in two mouse strains: possible germline gene recombination.

The nucleotide sequence of two germline immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (VH) genes of mouse BALB/c origin was determined. These two genes are highly homologous to each other. They both have the unusual codon CCT for proline at position 7, which so far has been found only in a specific set of VH genes, called the NPb family. We show that the two VH genes belong to this set. One of our BALB/c genes, VH124, is more homologous to a C57BL/6 NPb VH gene than to any BALB/c VH gene, and we propose that these two genes are alleles. A comparison of the substitutions between these two genes with published sequences of all other BALB/c and C57BL/6 NPb VH genes reveals evidence for past homologous recombination events between related germline VH genes Homologous recombination may play an important role in the diversification of germline immunoglobulin VH genes.

Alleles↗

Promoter mutations that allow nifA-independent expression of the nitrogen fixation nifHDKY operon.

The nifHDKY operon of Klebsiella pneumoniae encodes for structural polypeptides of nitrogenase and requires the nifA gene product for transcription. Mutations that allow transcription of the nifHDKY operon in absence of the nifA gene product were characterized in plasmids containing the regulatory region of nifHDKY and nifH fused in phase to lacZ. beta-Galactosidase activity served as a measure for nifH expression. Most mutations were located in the nif regulatory region and included insertion sequence 2 (IS2) insertions, a sequence duplication, and a base substitution. In Escherichia coli, beta-galactosidase activity expressed from the mutant plasmids in the absence of nifA was 6-30% of the nifA-activated, parental level. Expression from most mutant plasmids was further increased by nifA. In K. pneumoniae, IS2-containing plasmids expressed low levels of beta-galactosidase and responded poorly, if at all, to activation by nifA, whereas expression from other mutant types was similar to that observed in E. coli. Nucleotide sequence analysis of two mutants indicated that sequences within 41 base pairs upstream to the nifH coding sequence were involved in nif-specific regulation. The results suggest that an inverted repeat element in this region, which could theoretically form a cruciform structure in the DNA, is involved in the transcriptional control of the nifHDKY operon.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Activation of the c-mos oncogene in a mouse plasmacytoma by insertion of an endogenous intracisternal A-particle genome.

The activation of the cellular oncogene c-mos in mouse plasmacytoma XRPC24 was found to result from the insertion of a 4.7-kilobase-pair cellular DNA element, within the c-mos coding region. The element terminates on both sides with a direct repeat of around 335 nucleotides. The repeat as well as internal sequences of the element show strong homology to endogenous intracisternal A-particle (IAP) genes. The IAP genome integrated within c-mos in a head-to-head (5' to 5') configuration. This juxtapositioned the IAP 5' long terminal repeat next to the bulk of the oncogene's coding region and shifted c-mos 5' coding and flanking sequences to a position further upstream. The significance of several aspects of this activation and transposition event is discussed.

Animals↗

Evolutionary aspects of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (VH) gene subgroups.

We isolated and determined the sequences of two human germ-line heavy chain variable region (VH) genes and compared them with mouse VH genes. The results show that the human VHI subgroup is evolutionarily related to the mouse VHII subgroup. Evolutionary preservation of homologies in VH genes of the same subgroup includes not only the coding region but also intron size and homology in noncoding regions. This suggests that a VH gene subgroup constitutes a multigene family that undergoes concerted evolution. The homology between genes of the same subgroup in different species is greater than that between genes of different subgroups within a species. One of the VHII genes contains, in complementarity-determining region 2 (CDR2), a 13-base-pair previously shown to be in CDR2 of a VHIII gene and in a heavy chain diversity region gene, DH [Wu, T. T. & Kabat, E. A. (1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 79, 5031-5032], suggesting the insertion of diversity region gene sequences into the VH gene. One of the human VH genes is a pseudogene because of a terminator, which, together with our previous results, shows that the VH gene repertoire contains 40% pseudogenes. In one of the VH genes, direct and inverted repeats at both 5' and 3' ends of the gene suggest a potential transposable element that encompasses the entire VH gene. It is possible that such a structure may facilitate saltatory replication and rapid expansion of VH gene families.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Activation of a cellular oncogene by DNA rearrangement: possible involvement of an IS-like element.

The cellular oncogene c-mos is rearranged in a mouse myeloma and the tumour mRNA contains transcripts hybridizing with a v-mos probe. The rearranged gene (rc-mos) was cloned in lambda phage and shown to transform mouse fibroblasts in transfection assays, rc-mos differs from its progenitor, c-mos, only at the 5' end of the gene, where c-mos sequences have been substituted by a novel cellular DNA fragment. This fragment contains a 159-base pair (bp) insertion sequence (IS)-like element localized immediately 5' to the junction with c-mos. This is the first demonstration in a non-virally-induced tumour of activation of a cellular oncogene by a mechanism possibly involving DNA transposition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence of the rat skeletal muscle actin gene.

The actins constitute a family of highly conserved proteins found in all eukaryotic cells. Their conservation through a very wide range of taxonomic groups and the existence of tissue-specific isoforms make the actin genes very interesting for the study of the evolution of genes and their controlling elements. On the basis of amino acid sequence data, at least six different mammalian actins have been identified (skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, two smooth muscle actins and the cytoplasmic beta- and gamma-actins). Rat spleen DNA digested by the EcoRI restriction enzyme contains at least 12 different fragments with actin-like sequences but only one which hybridized, in very stringent conditions, with the skeletal muscle cloned cDNA probe. Here we describe the sequence of the actin gene in that fragment. The nucleotide sequence codes for two amino acids, Met-Cys, preceding the known N-terminal Asp of the mature protein. There are five small introns in the coding region and a large intron in the 5'-untranslated region. Comparison of the structure of the rat skeletal muscle actin gene with available data on actin genes from other organisms shows that while the sequenced actin genes from Drosophila and yeast have introns at different locations, introns located at codons specifying amino acids 41, 121, 204 and 267 have been preserved at least from the echinoderm to the vertebrates. A similar analysis has been done by Davidson. An intron at codon 150 is common to a plant actin gene and the skeletal muscle acting gene.

Actins↗

Simple DNA sequences in homologous flanking regions near immunoglobulin VH genes: a role in gene interaction?

Five closely related immunoglobulin VH genes (subgroup II) were compared by sequencing of several kb of DNA. In three of the genes homology greater than 75% was found along an area of 4 kb that includes the coding region. The homology in flanking regions is only slightly lower than that in the coding sequences. Two other genes, which are located on the same EcoRI fragment, show high homology to the first three genes in the coding and immediately flanking regions. In more distant flanking regions no homology is found with the first three genes. This indicates that their evolutionary history differs from that of the other three genes. A region of simple DNA sequence composed of repetitive TCC and TCA elements was found at a distance of approximately 380 bp upstream from the initiator ATG of these VH genes. This region is the site where the two sets of genes abruptly start to diverge. The structure of the simple DNA sequence in the various VH genes suggests that it may be involved in gene interaction. We propose that both simple DNA sequences and homology in flanking regions serve a function in the correction of VH genes, which seem to be rather free to diverge and drift into pseudogenes. A correction mechanism may help this gene family to maintain its two major features, multiplicity and diversity.

Animals↗

Organization and evolution of immunoglobulin VH gene subgroups.

The organization and evolution of immunoglobulin variable region genes was studied by comparing human and mouse heavy chain variable region (VH) genes. We show that a VH gene subgroup constitutes a physically linked multigene family separated from another VH subgroup. We mapped the VHIII gene subgroup to be 3' to the VHII gene subgroup based on deletion of VH genes after V-D-J rearrangement. The results indicate that the human VHIII gene subgroup underwent a significant gene expansion as compared to the mouse VHIII subgroup. Amino acid sequence data indicate that human VHIII genes correspond to only a small subset of mouse VHIII genes. Human VHIII genes contain a shorter intron and are two codons shorter than most BALB/c mouse VHIII genes. The nature of nucleotide substitutions between VH genes within a species (human) is similar to that between genes of different species (human/mouse). Both contain approximately 50% silent substitutions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

H-2-restricted helper factor secreted by clone hybridoma cells.

Biological and serological characteristics of a helper factor secreted by cloned hybridoma cells was described. The factor is carrier specific and contains determinants shared with immunoglobulin VH bu does not react with V kappa- or V lambda-specific antibodies. Presence of four H-2I-controlled antigenic specificities, Ia.ml, Ia.m2, Ia.17, and Ia.m7, was detected. Hence, it is possible that both A beta and E alpha loci may be involved in its control. Helper effect could be obtained only toward B cell sources that shared the H-2K and I-A antigens with the hybridoma cells. Similarly, the factor was absorbed only by spleen cells syngeneic in I-A. Previous studies have demonstrated that this clone binds antigen in an H-2-restricted manner. It follows that H-2-restricted helper cells produce H-2-restricted helper factors. Hence, they support the view that specific T cell factors may represent secreted T cell receptors.

Animals↗

Diversity of germ-line immunoglobulin VH genes.

The sequences of four embryonic mouse immunoglobulin VH genes have been compared. All genes end at codon 98 and code for a hydrophobic signal peptide of 19 residues interrupted at codon -4 by an intron of 83 base pairs. Substitutions occur in all gene segments but at a significantly higher frequency in the hypervariable regions. The data suggest an evolutionary basis for the diversity of immunoglobulin genes. Divergence resulted also in a termination codon in two of the genes, suggesting that part of the V gene repertoire cannot be expressed unless some correction mechanism is available.

Animals↗

The nucleotide sequence of rat alpha-tubulin: 3'-end characteristics, and evolutionary conservation.

The structure and sequence of rat alpha-tubulin cDNA clone is being described. The 3'-end of the coding region contains the codon for a C-terminal tyrosine, which was previously considered to be post-translationally added to the completed polypeptide chain. A close homology in the coding sequence is observed when a-tubulin from rat and chick are compared, while the 3-non-translated region had diverged considerably.

Amino Acid Sequence↗