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Journal of animal science and biotechnology2012; 3(1); 18; doi: 10.1186/2049-1891-3-18

Immunoglobulin genes and diversity: what we have learned from domestic animals.

Abstract: This review focuses on the diversity of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes and Ig isotypes that are expressed in domestic animals. Four livestock species-cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses-express a full range of Ig heavy chains (IgHs), including μ, δ, γ, ϵ, and α. Two poultry species (chickens and ducks) express three IgH isotypes, μ, υ, and α, but not δ. The κ and λ light chains are both utilized in the four livestock species, but only the λ chain is expressed in poultry. V(D)J recombination, somatic hypermutation (SHM), and gene conversion (GC) are three distinct mechanisms by which immunoglobulin variable region diversity is generated. Different domestic animals may use distinct means to diversify rearranged variable regions of Ig genes.
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Publication Date: 2012-06-20 PubMed ID: 22958617PubMed Central: PMC3487963DOI: 10.1186/2049-1891-3-18Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research article presents a detailed review of the diversity in immunoglobulin (Ig) genes and Ig isotypes in domestic animals, particularly four livestock species and two poultry species. It discusses the various mechanisms, such as V(D)J recombination, somatic hypermutation, and gene conversion, used by these animals to diversify the variable regions of Ig genes.

Immunoglobulin Genes and Isotypes in Domestic Animals

The article delves into the diversity of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes and Ig isotypes that are observed within domestic animals. The researchers focus on:

  • Four livestock species: cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses
  • Two poultry species: chickens and ducks

    • These animals were shown to express a variety of Ig heavy chains, including various isotypes like IgH, μ, δ, γ, ϵ, and α. However, the article notes that the poultry species don’t express the δ isotype.

    Expression of κ and λ Light Chains

    The study goes on to explore the expression of the κ and λ light chains in these species. Dividing based on animal groups, the findings reveal:

    • The κ and λ light chains are both utilized in the four livestock species
    • Poultry species have been found to only express the λ chain

      • Mechanisms Generating Immunoglobulin Variable Region Diversity

      Igs variable region diversity actually means variations in the antigen-binding section of an antibody. The research identifies three primary mechanisms that contribute to this diversity:

      • V(D)J recombination: which involves rearranging gene segments to generate a diverse set of antibody molecules
      • Somatic hypermutation (SHM): where mutations are introduced into the variable region genes during immune responses, creating a more diverse pool of antibodies
      • Gene Conversion (GC): a recombination event where genetic information is transferred from a “donor” gene to a “recipient” gene, often increasing gene variability

        • The article indicates that these mechanisms can be utilized distinctly in different domestic animals to diversify the variable regions of the Ig genes.

Cite This Article

APA
Sun Y, Liu Z, Ren L, Wei Z, Wang P, Li N, Zhao Y. (2012). Immunoglobulin genes and diversity: what we have learned from domestic animals. J Anim Sci Biotechnol, 3(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/2049-1891-3-18

Publication

Journal of animal science and biotechnology
ISSN: 2049-1891
NlmUniqueID: 101581293
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 3
Issue: 1
Pages: 18

Researcher Affiliations

Sun, Yi
  • State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, P, R, China. yaofengzhao@cau.edu.cn.
Liu, Zhancai
    Ren, Liming
      Wei, Zhiguo
        Wang, Ping
          Li, Ning
            Zhao, Yaofeng

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              Citations

              This article has been cited 12 times.
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