Novel members and germline polymorphisms in the human T-cell receptor Vb6 family

The human T-cell receptor (Tcr) Vb6 family has been scrutinized for polymorphisms, both in coding as well as in intronic sequences by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), subsequent multiple electroblot hybridizations, and sequence analysis. Multiplex PCR is an efficient means of screening for Tcr variability. Four novel loci could be distinguished and several new alleles are described including two pseudogenes. The Vb6 family is characterized by an intronic stretch of simple repetitive (gt)n sequences. These elements are hypervariable, especially in the Vb6.7 subfamily, where they are particularly long. The unexpected persistence of simple repetitive sequences in Tcr and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes over extended periods of the vertebrate evolutionary history can be interpreted in parallel terms in both gene families.