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Immunogenetics2003; 55(8); 552-560; doi: 10.1007/s00251-003-0617-2

Characterization of the horse (Equus caballus) IGHA gene.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences of the immunoglobulin constant heavy chain genes of the horse have been described for IGHM, IGHG and IGHE genes, but not for IGHA. Here, we provide the nucleotide sequence of the genomic IGHA gene of the horse ( Equus caballus), including its secretion region and the transmembrane exon. The equine IGHA gene shows the typical structure of a mammalian IGHA gene, with only three exons, separated by two introns of similar size. The hinge exon is located at the 5' end of the CH2 exon and encodes a hinge region of 11 amino acids, which contains five proline residues. The coding nucleotide sequence of the secreted form of the equine IGHA gene shares around 72% identity with the human IGHA1 and IGHA2 genes, as well as the bovine, ovine, porcine and canine IGHA genes, without distinct preference for any of these species. The same species also cluster together in a phylogenetic tree of the IGHA coding regions of various mammals, whereas rodent, rabbit, marsupial and monotreme IGHA genes each build a separate cluster.
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Publication Date: 2003-10-15 PubMed ID: 14564492DOI: 10.1007/s00251-003-0617-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study describes the genetic sequence of the IGHA gene in horses, including its secretion region and the transmembrane exon. The research found that the structure of the horse’s IGHA gene is similar to other mammals, with about 72% similarity to IGHA genes in humans and various domestic animals.

Introduction

The IGHA gene is part of the immunoglobulin constant heavy chain genes set, which plays a crucial role in the immune system of mammals. While this gene has been described in many mammalian species, its characteristics in the horse (Equus caballus) were not previously known. This study aims to fill this gap and present the nucleotide sequence of the horse’s IGHA gene, together with its secretion region and the transmembrane exon—parts of the gene crucial for its function.

Findings

  • The structure of the equine IGHA gene has been determined as typical of a mammalian IGHA gene. It features three exons—sections of DNA that code information for protein synthesis—separated by two introns—non-coding sections of DNA.
  • The hinge exon, a particular section of the gene, is found at the 5′ end of the CH2 exon. It codes a hinge region comprising 11 amino acids, with five of these being proline residues. Proline residues are essential parts of proteins that contribute to their three-dimensional structure.
  • When looking at the coding nucleotide sequence, scientists found that horse’s IGHA gene shares approximately 72% of its identity with IGHA genes in humans, and several domestic animals including cattle, sheep, pigs, and dogs, indicating a considerable degree of evolutionary conservation.

Phylogenic Analysis

  • Despite the similarities across different species, distinct clusters were observed in a phylogenetic tree. A phylogenetic tree is a diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based upon similarities and differences in their genetic characteristics.
  • Clustering showed that horses, humans, cattle, sheep, pigs, and dogs form a group, while rodents, rabbits, marsupials, and monotremes (a unique group of mammals including the platypus and echidna) each form separate clusters, indicating different evolutionary paths of the IGHA gene in these groups.

In summary, this study advances our understanding of the genetic makeup of the horse’s immune system and provides a valuable resource for future comparative immunological studies across species.

Cite This Article

APA
Wagner B, Greiser-Wilke I, Antczak DF. (2003). Characterization of the horse (Equus caballus) IGHA gene. Immunogenetics, 55(8), 552-560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00251-003-0617-2

Publication

Immunogenetics
ISSN: 0093-7711
NlmUniqueID: 0420404
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 8
Pages: 552-560

Researcher Affiliations

Wagner, Bettina
  • James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. bw73@cornell.edu
Greiser-Wilke, Irene
    Antczak, Douglas F

      MeSH Terms

      • Amino Acid Sequence
      • Animals
      • Base Sequence
      • Genes, Immunoglobulin
      • Horses / genetics
      • Horses / immunology
      • Immunoglobulin A / chemistry
      • Immunoglobulin A / genetics
      • Immunoglobulin Constant Regions / chemistry
      • Immunoglobulin Constant Regions / genetics
      • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / chemistry
      • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics
      • Molecular Sequence Data
      • Phylogeny
      • Sequence Alignment

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 3 times.
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        doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2004.01958.xpubmed: 15379977google scholar: lookup
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