Cloning and sequencing of a cDNA encoding the bovine FcR gamma chain

Phagocytic cells of the immune system express specific receptors for the Fc region of immunoglobulins (FcRs). In humans, most FcRs for IgG (FcgammaR), IgA (FcalphaR) and IgE (FcvarepsilonR) consist of an immunoglobulin (Ig) -binding subunit associated with a specialized signaling molecule, the FcR gamma chain. The FcR gamma chain is crucial for the transmission of intracellular signals following receptor ligation. In cattle, however, although four distinct complimentary DNAs (cDNAs) encoding IgG-binding subunits have been described (corresponding to bovine FcgammaRI, FcgammaRII, FcgammaRIII, and Fcgamma2R), virtually, nothing is known about signal transduction via bovine FcRs. Therefore, in this study, a cDNA encoding the bovine FcR gamma chain was cloned. The cDNA is 258 base pairs long and encodes a protein of 85 amino-acids. The mature protein shows high homology with the FcR gamma chains from several other species. Interestingly, the cytoplasmic domain of the bovine FcR gamma chain is one amino-acid shorter than those previously described. Cloning of a cDNA encoding, the bovine FcR gamma chain will allow for a better understanding of signal transduction processes triggered by bovine FcRs.