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Rabbit IgA heavy chain genes: cloning and in vitro expression
R C Burnett1, R D Schneiderman, K L Knight
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Researchers identified seven rabbit immunoglobulin alpha (IgA) genes, with at least ten total, and confirmed four are expressible. This suggests rabbits possess multiple IgA subclasses, unlike mice or humans.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Immunoglobulin A (IgA) plays a crucial role in mucosal immunity.
- The genetic organization and diversity of IgA subclasses vary significantly across species.
- Previous research indicated limited IgA diversity in mice and humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize rabbit C alpha (IgA) genes.
- To investigate the expressibility and potential diversity of rabbit IgA subclasses.
- To compare rabbit IgA gene organization and function with other mammalian species.
Main Methods:
- Screening of cosmid and phage libraries using a rabbit C alpha cDNA probe.
- Southern blot analysis of rabbit genomic DNA.
- In vitro expression studies involving gene cloning, transfection into plasmacytoma cells, and analysis of chimeric protein production.
Main Results:
- Seven rabbit C alpha genes were identified and organized into two clusters (four and three genes).
- Genomic analysis suggests a minimum of ten C alpha genes in the rabbit genome.
- Four cloned C alpha genes were successfully expressed in vitro, producing chimeric alpha-heavy chains of 55 kd and 60 kd, associated with murine lambda light chains.
Conclusions:
- All four tested rabbit C alpha genes are expressible.
- The findings strongly suggest the existence of multiple IgA subclasses or isotypes in rabbits.
- This contrasts with the known limited IgA diversity in mice (one subclass) and humans (two subclasses).