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The Size of a Murine Heavy Chain Variable Region Gene Family: Implications for the Magnitude and Evolution of the VH Locus in Mouse

Citation

Livant, Donna Lucy (1985) The Size of a Murine Heavy Chain Variable Region Gene Family: Implications for the Magnitude and Evolution of the VH Locus in Mouse. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/22vp-vt51. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:01242019-174640334

Abstract

The problem of how much antibody diversity is encoded in the germline as variable region genes has long been of interest to immunologists. We have measured the size of the J558 VH family in the BALB/c mouse by a probe excess titration method, and found that the family contains approximately 1000 members. As a control for systematic error, we used the same method to measure the number of class I MHC genes in BALB/c. We found that the third domain of the class I Dd gene detects 36-40 class I genes. Dot blots and genome blots with copy number controls give results consistent with a J558 family size of 500-1000 VH genes. We note that each band evident on genomic blots of DNA from several mouse strains contains multiple VH genes, and that a significant fraction of these bands are polymorphic among the mouse strains tested. We discuss the implications of this result for both the size and evolution of the VH locus in mouse.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Biology
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Biology
Major Option:Biology
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Hood, Leroy E.
Thesis Committee:
  • Hood, Leroy E. (chair)
  • Davidson, Eric H.
  • Davidson, Norman R.
  • Lewis, Edward B.
  • Owen, Ray David
Defense Date:1 May 1985
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:01242019-174640334
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:01242019-174640334
DOI:10.7907/22vp-vt51
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0769-2625(84)80016-1DOIArticle adapted for Appendix 2
https://doi.org/10.1038/283733a0DOIArticle adapted for Appendix 3
https://doi.org/10.1038/284452a0DOIArticle adapted for Appendix 4
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-068350-5.50038-7DOIArticle adapted for Appendix 5
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:11361
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Mel Ray
Deposited On:29 Jan 2019 19:08
Last Modified:16 Apr 2021 22:11

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