Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “hypervariable regions”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 955 records · Page 53Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Sequence comparisons of the variable VP2 region of eight infectious bursal disease virus isolates.

The VP2 gene is part of the genomic segment A of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). It has been identified as the major host-protective antigen of IBDV and is known to contain conformationally dependent protective epitopes. A 643-base pair segment covering the hypervariable region of this gene from three recent serologic variant IBDV isolates from the southeastern United States, two variants from the Delmarva Peninsula, and three serologic standard viruses were amplified and sequenced using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and cycle sequencing techniques. This was done to determine the molecular similarity among isolates that differ antigenically and pathologically. Sequence analysis suggested that the Arkansas (Ark) and Mississippi (Miss) isolates evolved closely and separately from the Delmarva variants (GLS and DELE), in contrast to the other southeastern variant Georgia (Ga), which is more closely related (98.32%) to Delaware E (DELE). All variants, except for Miss, underwent a shift in amino acid number 222 from proline to threonine. The sequence of Univax BD virus, a commercially available intermediate vaccine, was markedly different, evolving from a separate lineage than the others. Restriction enzyme sites could differentiate most isolates. Except for Miss, variants do not have EcoRII site at the larger hydrophilic domain. All variants lost their HaeIII, StuI, and StyI cutting sites with a change in base number 856. The TaqI site is in DELE, whereas the SpeI site is absent in the standard vaccine viruses. The SWASASGS heptapeptide is conserved in all virulent viruses, including APHIS, but not in the attenuated (Univax BD and Bursa Vac 3) and published (D78 and PBG98) vaccines.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intragenic recombination leads to pilus antigenic variation in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The pilus of the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a fimbriate surface structure which promotes attachment of the bacterium to host epithelial cells. Gonococcal pilus phase variation is characterized by a rapid on/off switch in which piliated (P+) cells throw off non-piliated (P-) variants and vice versa. Two regions of the gonococcal chromosome (pilE1 and pilE2) act as pilin expression loci, reminiscent of the MAT locus in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, while several other chromosomal regions contain silent (non-expressing) pilin sequences. Biochemical and antigenic diversity is seen in pili from a wide variety of clinical isolates. Pilins (pilus subunits) are composed of conserved N-terminal and variable C-terminal regions; the conserved region of gonococcal pilin is also found in pilins produced by widely disparate bacteria. We show here that the gonococcal pilin undergoes antigenic variation in vitro and in vivo. The protein consists of constant, semi-variable and hypervariable regions. This antigenic variation probably involves gene conversion of mini-cassettes of pilin information.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1978

Variable region genes for the immunoglobulin framework are assembled from small segments of DNA--a hypothesis.

Sequences of each of the four framework segments FR1, FR2, FR3, and FR4 of the variable regions (V-regions) of light and heavy chains of immunoglobulins were grouped into sets with identical sequences. Sets contained from 1 to 18 members. When each V-region was traced from one FR to the next, it was seen that members of the same set in FR1 could be associated with different sets in FR2, FR3, and FR4. This suggests that the framework for the light and heavy chain V-regions is assembled during embryonic development from sets of minigenes for each FR segment. FR4 from three sets of human V(k)I chains also contained members of V(k)II, V(k)III, and V(k)IV subgroups; one FR2 set contained eight rabbit V(k), one human V(k)IV, and four mouse V(k) and an FR4 set contained two human V(H)III and one mouse V(H)III, indicating substantial evolutionary preservation of these sequences and suggesting that the sets of minigenes are highly conserved in the germ line. The clone of Tonegawa et al. [Tonegawa, S., Maxam, A. M., Tizard, R., Bernard, O. & Gilbert, W. (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 75, 1485-1489] could be a hybrid FR1 and FR3 coming from minigenes of MOPC 315 (a V(lambda)II) whereas FR2 would come from MOPC 104E (a V(lambda)I). That FR4 is not joined to the rest of the V-region in 12-day-old mouse embryo DNA is also in accord with this hypothesis. Mouse sperm DNA should be examined to establish whether the hypothesized minigenes are separated by intervening sequences and whether the complementarity-determining (hypervariable) regions or segments of the V-region are separated from the framework in genomic DNA. Sperm DNA from rabbits or other species could be used to search for minigene segments whose sequences are identical in several species.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Sequence variation and phylogenetic analysis of envelope glycoprotein of hepatitis G virus.

A transfusion-transmissible agent provisionally designated hepatitis G virus (HGV) was recently identified. In this study, we examined the variability of the HGV genome by analysing sequences in the putative envelope region from 72 isolates obtained from diverse geographical sources. The 1561 nucleotide sequence of the E1/E2/NS2a region of HGV was determined from 12 isolates, and compared with three published sequences. The most variability was observed in 400 nucleotides at the N terminus of E2. We next analysed this 400 nucleotide envelope variable region (EV) from an additional 60 HGV isolates. This sequence varied considerably among the 75 isolates, with overall identity ranging from 79.3% to 99.5% at the nucleotide level, and from 83.5% to 100% at the amino acid level. However, hypervariable regions were not identified. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the 75 HGV isolates belong to a single genotype. A single-tier distribution of evolutionary distances was observed among the 15 E1/E2/NS2a sequences and the 75 EV sequences. In contrast, 11 isolates of HCV were analysed and showed a three-tiered distribution, representing genotypes, subtypes, and isolates. The 75 isolates of HGV fell into four clusters on the phylogenetic tree. Tight geographical clustering was observed among the HGV isolates from Japan and Korea.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from Düsseldorf by six genotypic methods.

Nosocomial infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represent an increasing problem in hospitals. Quick and reliable typing methods are required to obtain information about the relatedness of MRSA isolates and to allow faster implementation of appropriate infection control measures. This investigation describes the distribution of MRSA isolates from 11 hospitals in the Düsseldorf region of Germany, and the ability of six different genotypic typing techniques -- pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), 16S-23S rDNA spacer amplification, protein A-gene PCR, PCR characterisation of the hypervariable region (HVR) adjacent to mecA, and coagulase gene-PCR -- to detect different unrelated types. Of 7814 S. aureus isolates tested, 489 (6.3%) were MRSA, of which 183 were selected for subsequent molecular analyses on the basis of being the first MRSA isolated from colonised or infected patients. Larger hospitals had a higher incidence of MRSA and a greater variability in genotypes than smaller hospitals. All methods confirmed the presence of two main clonal types. The ability of techniques to detect different unrelated types was found to be as follows: PFGE, 28 types; 16S-23S rDNA spacer-amplification, 10 types; RAPD, nine types; protein A-gene PCR, five types; HVR-PCR, five types; and coa gene-PCR, two types. Combination of PFGE and one other PCR-based method (spacer-amplification, RAPD or protein-A gene PCR) provided the best resolution of types and allowed the identification of subtypes. Similar molecular types were identified with international MRSA isolates. Although PCR-based techniques have the advantage of rapid performance and easy handling, their discriminatory capacity is inferior compared to the more labour intensive PFGE.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1994

The de novo design of an antibody combining site. Crystallographic analysis of the VL domain confirms the structural model.

In a protein design approach the molecular model of an artificial antibody Fv fragment was generated with predicted complementarity to part of the known crystal structure of chicken egg-white cystatin. The model of the Fv fragment was based on the three-dimensional structure of the anti-lysozyme antibody HyHEL-10, which was modified by substituting amino acid side-chains in the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) as well as the framework without altering the backbone. In the course of crystallization experiments with the bacterially produced Fv fragment crystals of the VL domain alone were obtained. These crystals diffracted X-rays to a resolution of 2.17 A and were shown to belong to the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell dimensions a = 46.89 A, b = 58.05 A, c = 83.22 A containing two VL monomers in the asymmetric unit. The crystal structure was solved by molecular replacement and refined to a crystallographic R-factor of 17.5%. The two VL monomers exhibit an asymmetric mode of association, which is different from other crystallized VL domains described before and shows the peculiar feature of an isopropanol precipitant molecule buried at the interface. Both VL structures reveal a high level of similarity to the predicted three-dimensional model. With the exception of two loop segments in the framework region that are involved in crystal packing contacts, the backbone structures of the two VL monomers in the crystal and the molecular model of the VL domain are practically identical. Although six amino acid residues had been replaced in the hypervariable regions, the CDR conformations remained conserved and only minor deviations in the orientation of some side-chains and peptide planes were detected. The crystallographic analysis of the VL domain modelled as part of a complex between an artificial Fv fragment and the small protein cystatin, deliberately chosen as antigen target, confirms the concept of distinct structural classes for CDR backbones and supports our strategy for the de novo design of an antibody combining site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Sequencing and comparative analysis of a pig bovine viral diarrhea virus genome.

In present study, we report the first complete genomic sequence of pig bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus, that of strain ZM-95, which is 12,220 nucleotides long and contains short 5' and 3' non-coding regions and one open reading frame encoding a large polyprotein with 28 potential N-glycosylation sites (Asn-X-Ser or Asn-X-Thr). Within the non-structural protein encoding region, no foreign nucleotide insertions was found as those usually observed for cytopathogenic BVDV-1, but close to the 3'-terminal of the capsid protein (1119-1124bp) it contains a short insertion of a six nucleotide sequence (CTCACA). Three hypervariable regions were identified in the polyprotein-encoding region, with one of them comprising a sequence motif encoding a unique five amino acid peptide HYKKK in glycoprotein E2 gene. The genomic comparison and phylogenetic analyses showed that ZM-95 should be classified into BVDV-1, but was genetically divergent from other pestiviruses sequenced to date since its highest genetic similarity was only 76.6% (with SD-1), therefore, placed as a novel subgroup of BVDV-1.

3' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed1998

Natural history and molecular biology of hepatitis G virus/GB virus C.

BACKGROUND: The hepatitis G virus (HGV) or GB virus C (GBV-C) is a new member of the Flaviviridae family. The virus is transmitted by transfusion of blood, infusion of some blood products, and by parenteral exposure to blood during intravenous drug use (IVDU) and haemodialysis. Transmission from mother to infant and by sexual contact has also been documented. Although the virus has been found in patients with acute and chronic hepatitis, evidence of disease association has not been forthcoming. The majority of patients carry the virus in the absence of liver enzyme abnormalities. OBJECTIVES: To review what is currently known about HGV/GBV-C in order to evaluate its similarity with other members of the Flaviviridae and the association of the virus with disease. RESULTS: The genomic organisation of the virus is typical for Flaviviridae, with long 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTR). However, a clearly identifiable nucleocapsid encoding region is lacking. Polyprotein synthesis is mediated through an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) contained within the 5' UTR. Phylogenetic tree analysis of sequences derived from this region has demonstrated the existence of at least three genotypes. Apart from serum, HGV-RNA has been detected in lymphocytes also, but the quasispecies present in the two compartments appear to be different. The envelope glycoprotein E2 lacks a hypervariable region and is potentially the target of a neutralising antibody response. CONCLUSION: Molecular analysis of HGV reveals close similarity of the virus with HCV. However, an association of the virus with liver disease remains unresolved and no association of the virus with hepatocellular carcinoma has been reported.

Flaviviridae↗
PubMed2001

Analysis of transcriptionally active gene clusters of major outer membrane protein multigene family in Ehrlichia canis and E. chaffeensis.

Ehrlichia canis and E. chaffeensis are tick-borne obligatory intramonocytic ehrlichiae that cause febrile systemic illness in humans and dogs, respectively. The current study analyzed the pleomorphic multigene family encoding approximately 30-kDa major outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of E. canis and E. chaffeensis. Upstream from secA and downstream of hypothetical transcriptional regulator, 22 paralogs of the omp gene family were found to be tandemly arranged except for one or two genes with opposite orientations in a 28- and a 27-kb locus in the E. canis and E. chaffeensis genomes, respectively. Each locus consisted of three highly repetitive regions with four nonrepetitive intervening regions. E. canis, in addition, had a 6.9-kb locus which contained a repeat of three tandem paralogs in the 28-kb locus. These total 47 paralogous and orthologous genes encoded OMPs of approximately 30 to 35 kDa consisting of several hypervariable regions alternating with conserved regions. In the 5'-end half of the 27-kb locus or the 28-kb locus of each Ehrlichia species, 14 paralogs were linked by short intergenic spaces ranging from -8 bp (overlapped) to 27 bp, and 8 remaining paralogs in the 3'-end half were connected by longer intergenic spaces ranging from 213 to 632 bp. All 22 paralogs, five unknown genes, and secA in the omp cluster in E. canis were transcriptionally active in the monocyte culture, and the paralogs with short intergenic spaces were cotranscribed with their adjacent genes, including the respective intergenic spaces at both the 5' and the 3' sides. Although omp genes are diverse, our results suggest that the gene organization of the clusters and the gene locus are conserved between two species of Ehrlichia to maintain a unique transcriptional mechanism for adaptation to environmental changes common to them.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗
PubMed1992

Genetically determined factors as predictors of radiological change in patients with early symmetrical arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether genetic factors associated with established rheumatoid arthritis could, in combination with rheumatoid factor, predict the development of radiological erosions in patients with early symmetrical (rheumatoid-like) arthritis. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, early arthritis clinic. SUBJECTS: Forty nine patients with symmetrical polyarthritis attending the early arthritis clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Conserved sequence of DR beta third allelic hypervariable region, sulphoxidation capacity, rheumatoid factor, and development of radiologically determined bone erosions. RESULTS: None of the 49 patients had radiological erosions at presentation but 25 developed these by four years. Patients with the conserved class II major histocompatibility complex (third allelic hypervariable of DR beta 1) genes associated with rheumatoid arthritis had a relative risk for the development of erosions of 1.9 (95% confidence interval 0.8 to 4.5). For poor sulphoxidation the risk was 2.5 (1.1 to 5.6) and for the presence of rheumatoid factor 1.8 (0.9 to 3.7). Of the 33 patients who had two or three of these risk factors, 24 developed erosions, with a relative risk of 11.6 (1.7 to 78.5) compared with only one of the 16 individuals with no or one risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study shows that by using these stable markers it is possible to make clinically useful predictions of outcome in patients with early symmetrical inflammatory arthritis.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed1995

Insulin resistance associated with decreased levels of insulin-receptor messenger ribonucleic acid: evidence of a de novo mutation in the maternal allele.

Mutations in the insulin receptor gene may lead to insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus in some patients. We have studied an insulin-resistant patient with leprechaunism. Insulin binding to the patient's fibroblasts was markedly decreased. Determination of the nucleotide sequence of the patient's insulin receptor gene revealed heterozygosity for a 2-basepair deletion in exon 15. If the premessenger ribonucleic acid (pre-mRNA) is spliced normally, it causes a replacement of codon 970 in the beta-subunit with a premature chain termination codon, thereby deleting most of the intracellular domain of the receptor. The mRNA transcribed from the allele with a 2-base-pair deletion is likely to be unstable because mRNA transcripts from this allele could not be detected by complementary DNA sequencing. Northern blot analysis showed that the patient's insulin receptor mRNA was decreased by 90% compared with that of a control subject, thus suggesting that the patient is a compound heterozygote for two mutations that decrease levels of insulin receptor mRNA. This deletion mutation in exon 15 seems to be a de novo mutation, because it was not detected in either parent. Investigation of the inheritance of a silent sequence polymorphism in exon 17 provided that the deletion occurred in the maternal allele. Furthermore, linkage analysis suggests that the second mutation is derived from the patient's father, although we could not directly identify it by sequencing the coding region of the insulin receptor gene. Therefore, it is possible that this mutation is present in a regulatory domain of the insulin receptor gene, acting in cis-dominant fashion to reduce the levels of insulin receptor mRNA. Analyses of the hypervariable region in the myoglobin and pMCT118 loci were consistent with the assumption that the father and mother studied here are indeed the biological parents of the diseased patient. We hereby conclude that the patient is a compound heterozygote for two mutant alleles, both of which are responsible for the reduced levels of insulin receptor mRNA and insulin binding.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Frequent mutations in the mitochondrial control region DNA in breast tissue.

It has been suggested that the extent of mitochondrial DNA mutations might be useful in the prognosis of cancer outcome and/or the response to certain therapies. In order to investigate whether a high incidence of mutations exists in mitochondrial DNA of breast cancer tissues, we screened three regions of the mitochondrial genome by PCR amplification followed by DNA sequence analysis. Laser capture microdissection was used to isolate pure populations of both tumor cells and normal cells from paraffin embedded specimens. DNA isolated from these cells was used to amplify hypervariable regions HV1 and HV2 and the D-loop region. We found a high rate of mutation in the cancer cell DNA but also found the mutation rate was high in the corresponding normal DNA as well. While no correlations to any clinical parameters could be drawn from this study, the variation from patient to patient suggests that clinical implications might be established on examination of a larger number of samples.

Breast↗
PubMed1980

Cloning and sequence of the cDNA corresponding to the variable region of immunoglobulin heavy chain MPC11.

Poly(A)-containing mRNA from mouse myeloma MPC11 was transcribed into cDNA which was cloned in the PstI site of the plasmid pBR322. The transformants were screened by hybridization with a cDNA fragment, derived from plasmid p gamma(11)7, corresponding to the 5' portion of the constant region of MPC11 heavy chain. Several positive transformants were found to contain various lengths of the variable region of the heavy chain. We describe the structure and sequence of one of these clones, pV(11)2, which contains cDNA corresponding to the entire variable region of MPC11 heavy chain and extends to codon 248 in the constant region. The protein sequence deduced from the DNA sequence indicates that the variable region of MPC11 heavy chain contains 121 amino acids and belongs to subgroup II of mouse heavy chains. Comparison of this sequence with other heavy chain sequences suggests a J (joining) segment of 16 residues which overlaps five residues of the third hypervariable region. The cDNA sequence shows that there is no discontinuity between the end of the variable region and the beginning of the constant region.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The absence of ongoing immunoglobulin gene hypermutation suggests a distinct mechanism for c-myc mutation in endemic Burkitt's lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Burkitt's lymphoma is a malignancy of mature, immunoglobulin (Ig)-bearing B cells characterized by translocation between c-myc and Ig gene loci. A role for the juxtaposed Ig genes in the mutation and deregulation of c-myc expression typical of endemic Burkitt's lymphoma (eBL) has been proposed, but never proven. Our objective was to determine whether Ig gene hypermutation is ongoing in eBL. METHODS: We isolated Ig heavy-chain sequences from K962 eBL tumor cells using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The PCR product was ligated into Bluescript II vectors. Multiple subclones were sequenced and the variable regions were compared for evidence of ongoing Ig hypermutation. RESULTS: Six total single base substitutions were observed within four of the nine subclones studied. Four substitutions resulted in amino acid changes and two were silent. There was no clustering of mutations in hypervariable regions, or a high incidence of amino acid replacement or link substitutions, all of which are characteristic of Ig hypermutation. The observed mutations occurred at a rate consistent with Taq polymerase error. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that in the eBL tumor sample K962, the mechanism underlying c-myc mutation is distinct from that which gives rise to Ig hypermutation.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Molecular characterization of vascular smooth muscle decorin: deduced core protein structure and regulation of gene expression.

Two overlapping clones containing sequences homologous to bovine, human and chicken decorin have been recovered from poly A+ RNA isolated from rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) using cDNA cloning and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodologies. Results of nucleotide sequence analysis performed on these clones demonstrated that they encode the complete mature rat decorin protein expressed by VSMC. Within the coding region, rat decorin exhibits 76% nucleotide sequence homology to human and bovine decorin, and 69% homologous to chicken decorin indicating a significant level of conservation among these species. This level of conservation among species was also maintained at the protein level with rat decorin being 77% homologous to its human, bovine and chicken homologues. As previously observed its human homologue, rat decorin, is made up of seven, tandem, leucine-rich repeat sequences. Furthermore, within the core of these repeats was the consensus protein sequence NKISK which has been proposed to be the fibronectin binding region of decorin (G. Schmidt et al., Biochem. J. 280, 411-414 (1991)). The vast majority of amino acid substitutions within rat decorin were of the conservative type. The highest frequency of amino acid substitutions were found to be localized within a hypervariable region located near the amino terminus of the decorin core protein. Unlike rat biglycan, rat decorin mRNA levels were found to increase significantly in density-arrested VSMC cultures. In contrast to rat biglycan gene expression, no quantitative differences in rat decorin mRNA levels were observed between proliferating VSMC and VSMC made quiescent through serum depletion. Finally, specific extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins were able to regulate the expression of decorin at the mRNA level in a slightly different manner than previously observed for biglycan.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Comparative sequence and immunochemical analyses of murine monoclonal anti-morphine antibodies.

A more complete characterization is given for four previously reported anti-morphine monoclonal antibodies that bind the hapten with high affinity and to which anti-idiotypic antibodies have been raised that mimic opiates at receptor binding sites. The variable (V) region nucleotide sequences of the heavy (H) and light (L) chains of these murine antibodies have been determined by direct sequencing of the poly(A)+ mRNAs using specific oligonucleotide primers and dideoxynucleotide chain-termination, and the deduced amino acid sequences are compared. The primary sequences predicted for the VH segments of 10C3 and 11C7 antibodies are closely associated with the VHIIIB subgroup of mouse H-chain (80 to 82% homology), while those for the V-regions of 3B9 and 12D4 H-chains correlate well with the VHIIC subgroup (64 to 67% homology). The 11C7, 10C3, 3B9 and 12D4 hybridoma cell lines use JH1, JH2, JH3 and JH4 DNA segments, respectively. Since considerable variations in length and primary sequence in the CDR3 (complementarity determining region) peptides of all the H-chains are evident, conservation of the D-region structure does not appear to be necessary for effective hapten binding. However, sequence homologies of the CDR2 regions of all the antibodies indicate that residues Glu H-50, Ile H-51, Pro H-52a and Tyr H-59 are conserved, and that these segments may be more critically involved in binding than the other H and L-chain hypervariable regions. The marked VL sequence homology, greater than 93%, among the L-chains and consensus lambda sequence, suggests derivation from a similar or identical VL germ-line gene. The L-chain J-region peptides for all the antibodies are classified JL1 and no VL-JL junctional diversity was apparent. The antimorphine antibody L-chains are apparently generated by the joining of a specific J-gene segment to a single germ-line V-gene segment, and minor sequence variations are the result of somatic mutations within the coding region. The leader sequence for one of the H-chains was determined. The inhibition of morphine binding by phenoxybenzylation or iodination of the affinity-purified immunoglobulins indicates the involvement of a single tyrosyl residue within or close to the antibody-combining site for the opiate. This conclusion is supported by the sequence data and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements reported in the accompanying paper, in which the results are used to interpret nuclear magnetic resonance measurements on one of the ligand-antibody systems. The possible importance of additional contact amino acids, tryptophan, aspartic and/or glutamic acids, is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Viral genotyping of infectious bursal disease viruses isolated from the 2002 acute outbreak in Spain and comparison with previous isolates.

An infectious bursal disease (IBD) outbreak occurred in the east region of Spain in the spring of 2002 and rapidly spread thorough the whole country, although proper vaccination programs were applied. In this report, 33 infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs) isolated from this outbreak were characterized by nucleotide sequencing of the VP2 gene hypervariable region and were compared with reference IBD strains and the 1990s Spanish IBDVs in order to determine possible emergence of IBDV isolates with modified antigenic or virulent properties. Moreover, histopathologic and immunohistochemical studies of those cases where bursal tissues were available were carried out. Of the 33 isolates, 23 were identified as very virulent IBDVs (vvIBDVs), whereas the other 10 isolates were classified as attenuated or intermediate virulence classical strains and could possibly be IBDV live vaccine strains used in the immunization of these chickens. Results of this study indicate that wIBDV isolates from the 2002 Spanish outbreak are closely related with those from the 1990s outbreak. However, acute IBD cases have not been reported in Spain during these 10 yr. Genetic, management, and environmental factors likely related with IBD reemergence in Spain are discussed. Moreover, our results indicate that good correlation exists between the IBDV subtype present in the field and the degree of lesions in bursa tissue, as well as the immunohistochemistry staining.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

The antibody molecule to common acute lymphocytic leukemia (cALL) antigen used the identical or closely related VH gene segment as that of MOPC-21 immunoglobulin heavy chain.

We have cloned a rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (VH) region gene (NL-1-H-5) from the cells of a mouse hybridoma, NL-1, which produce a monoclonal antibody against the common acute lymphocytic leukemia (cALL) antigen. The DNA base sequence of NL-1-H-5 clone revealed that the VH region gene of NL-1 cells used the identical or closely related leader (L) and VH gene to those of the myeloma cell line MOPC-21. There were seven base differences, and six of them were found in the second complementary-determining hypervariable region (CDR-2). The five nucleotide differences in CDR-2 resulted in the variation of amino acid residues of positions 54, 56, 58, and 59. In particular, nucleotide changes at position 56 and 59 yielded tyrosine residues which might be involved in a part of the antibody-combining site structure for cALL antigen.

Animals↗