Abstract
The current model of Ig repertoire development in sheep focuses on the rearrangement of a small number (∼20) of Vλ gene segments. It is believed that this limited combinatorial repertoire is then further diversified through postrearrangement somatic hypermutation. This process has been reported to introduce as many as 110 mutations/1000 nucleotides. In contrast, our data have that indicated somatic hypermutation may diversify the preimmune repertoire to a much lesser extent. We have identified 64 new Vλ gene segments within the rearranged Ig repertoire. As a result, many of the unique nucleotide patterns thought to be the product of somatic hypermutation are actually hard-coded within the germline. We suggest that combinatorial rearrangement makes a much larger contribution, and somatic hypermutation makes a much smaller contribution to the generation of diversity within the sheep Ig repertoire than is currently acknowledged.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3739-3750 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Immunology |
Volume | 170 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2003 |