Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene organization in mice: Analysis of a myeloma genomic clone containing variable and α constant regions

Year: 1979

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.76.2.857

We have isolated a myeloma genomic DNA clone containing the variable and constant regions of a mouse chain. Restriction enzyme analyses and electron microscopic R loop mapping have demonstrated that the variable region is separated from the constant region by 6.8 kilobases of intervening DNA. In addition, two intervening DNA sequences of 100-200 bases separate the constant region into three approximately equal units. These intervening sequences may separate each of the segments coding for the three constant region domains of the heavy chain. Southern blot analysis of embryo and myeloma DNA suggests that DNA rearrangement of heavy chain variable and constant regions occurs during the differentiation of antibody-producing cells.