Characterization of avian T-cell receptor γ genes

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.93.26.15329
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:32:33Z
• Authors: Adrien Six; Jonathan P. Rast; Wayne T. McCormack; Dominique Dunon; David Courtois; Yue Li; Chen-lo H. Chen; Max D. Cooper
• Keywords: Recombination signal sequences; Southern blot; Thymocyte; Gene rearrangement

In birds and mammals T cells develop along two discrete pathways characterized by expression of either the αβ or γδ T-cell antigen receptors (TCRs). To gain further insight into evolutionary significance lineage, present studies sought to define chicken TCRγ locus. A splenic cDNA library was screened with polymerase chain reaction products obtained from genomic DNA using primers for highly conserved regions TCR immunoglobulin genes. This strategy yielded clones characteristics mammalian γ chains, including canonical residues considered important proper folding stability. Northern blot analysis probe revealed 1.9-kb transcripts in thymus, spleen, a line, but not B lines. Three multimember Vγ subfamilies, three Jγ gene segments, single constant region Cγ were identified avian Members each subfamilies found undergo rearrangement parallel during first wave thymocyte development. repertoire diversification initiated on embryonic day 10 an apparently random pattern V-Jγ recombination, nuclease activity, P- N-nucleotide additions generate diverse genes early ontogeny.