DNA sequence analysis of two bovine immunoglobulin CH gamma pseudogenes

A bovine calf liver DNA library in lambda 2001 bacteriophage has been screened with a human Ig gamma 4 heavy-chain constant-region gene probe. Four hybridizing clones have been identified, and the DNA sequences in two of these, which have high homology with CH gamma genes, are reported here. Within the bovine sequences, four separate exons can be identified, corresponding to the three CH domains and the hinge of gamma heavy-chain genes. Both of these genes contain atypical sequences around one or more of their exon/intron boundaries with consequent loss of splice sites, indicating that these are probably gamma pseudogenes. One sequence codes for a C-terminal peptide which matches the 18-mer C-terminal heavy-chain peptide of bovine serum IgG2, the other encodes a C-terminal peptide unknown in the bovine. These results suggest that evolutionary duplication of CH gamma genes has occurred in the bovine.