Homologues of murine Vh11 gene are conserved during evolution

Since the murine Vh11 gene family shows 75% homology with group III VH gene families and is preferentially expressed in B-1 lymphocytes, we have analyzed if corresponding Vh11 genes existed across phylogenetically distant mammalian lineages. In a Southern blot, homologues of the murine Vh11 gene were detected in the genomic DNA from rats, pigs, sheep, cattle, horses, dogs and man. These observations suggest conservation of corresponding sequences of the Vh11 gene family during evolution, similar to group III VH genes, either because of strong selection pressures essential for species fitness and survival or molecular drive leading to these consequences.