Dispersed human immunoglobulin kappa light-chain genes

The gene segments encoding the constant and variable regions of human immunoglobulin light chains of the kappa type (C kappa, V kappa) have been localized to chromosome 2. The distance between the C kappa and V kappa genes and the number of germline V kappa genes are unknown. As part of our work on the human V kappa locus, we have now mapped two solitary V kappa gene and a cluster of three V kappa genes to chromosomes 1, 15 and 22, respectively. The three genes that have been sequenced are nonprocessed pseudogenes, and the same may be true for the other two genes. This is the first time that V-gene segments have been found outside the C-gene-containing chromosomes. Our finding is relevant to current estimates of the size of the V kappa-gene repertoire. Furthermore, the dispersed gene regions have some unusual characteristics which may help to clarify the mechanism of dispersion.     

Joining of V kappa to J kappa gene segments in a retroviral vector introduced into lymphoid cells

V kappa to J kappa recombination occurred within a DNA construct introduced into cells in the form of a defective retrovirus. Analysis of one recombinant demonstrated that V kappa-J kappa joining can occur via inversion with a net loss of a few base pairs.     

Somatic hypermutation of an immunoglobulin transgene in kappa transgenic mice

Initial studies of somatically acquired mutations in immunoglobulin V regions from hybridomas and myelomas that are not derived from joining aberrations, suggested a controlled and specific hypermutation process, because spontaneous mutation rates observed for other genes are extremely low. Some evidence for the idea that mutations are introduced during V-gene rearrangement came from the clustering of mutations at the joining sites, from the absence of mutations in unrearranged V genes and from the low level of mutations in only partially (D-J) rearranged nonproductive heavy-chain alleles. Another model in which mutations accumulate with each cell division, rather than being introduced all at once, was supported by the finding that immunoglobulin genes of hybridomas derived from a single mouse frequently had several mutations in common, and so might be derived from the same precursor cell whose daughters then accumulated additional mutations. But the common mutations in some cases could be due to as yet unidentified related germline genes, or could represent the effect of antigen selection for certain amino acids. To try to detect hypermutation in the absence of V-gene rearrangement, we isolated B lymphocytes with endogenous heavy-chain gene mutations from transgenic mice carrying pre-rearranged kappa-transgenes. We found that these kappa-transgenes were also somatically mutated. This and other observations indicated that: ongoing rearrangement is not required for mutation; there are signals for hypermutation in the transgenes; the mutations are found only in the variable region, so the constant region may not be a target; different transgene insertion sites are compatible with hypermutations and more than one transgene is expressed in the same cell.     

Expression of a VHC kappa chimaeric protein in mouse myeloma cells

The heavy (H) and light (L) chains of antibodies consist of variable (V) and constant (C) regions. The V regions of the heavy and light chains form the antibody combining site. To determine whether a V region could be functional when joined to a polypeptide other than its own C region, we constructed a chimaeric gene encoding the V region of a mouse heavy chain and the C region of a mouse kappa light chain ( VHC kappa). The heavy-chain gene is derived from an A/J mouse hybridoma cell line 36-65 whose antibody product (gamma 1, kappa) is specific for the hapten azophenylarsonate. We report here that, when introduced into a mouse myeloma cell line, the chimaeric gene is expressed and a protein of the expected molecular weight is secreted into the medium. As light chains tend to dimerize we expected that the VHC kappa protein might associate with light chain from the cell line 36-65 to form an antibody-binding molecule. Affinity binding experiments and Ka determination indicate that this is the case. Dimers of this type offer a novel and interesting alternative to existing antibody-binding molecules.     

V-J joining of immunoglobulin kappa genes only occurs on one homologous chromosome

In general, heterozygous animal cells express both alleles at a particular locus. The only exceptions are cells of XX genotype after inactivation of one X chromosome, and immunoglobulin-producing cells; in each case only one of the two alleles is expressed in differentiated cells and their progeny. This phenomenon, termed allelic exclusion, has been described for several mammalian species including man and mouse. It has been shown that the variable (V) and constant (C) region genes of immunoglobulins undergo a rearrangement during ontogeny. We wished to test whether allelic exclusion in B cells could be the consequence of V- and C-region rearrangement on one of the two homologous chromosomes only. For that reason we chose to analyse the rearrangement of immunoglobulin light chain genes in normal B lymphocytes isolated on the fluorescence-activated cell sorter. We now present evidence that during normal B-lymphocyte differentiation V-C rearrangement occurs only on one chromosome.     

RNA splicing generates a variant light chain from an aberrantly rearranged kappa gene

Both C kappa regions in MPC 11 cells are rearranged into active transcripion units, one producing a normal kappa chain and the other an internally deleted kappa fragment lacking a V region. The gene coding for the kappa fragment mRNA is aberrantly rearranged and lacks a site for V leads to C kappa splicing. An alternative splicing event which deletes the V region from the nuclear RNA precursor generates the kappa fragment mRNA.     

A conserved sequence in the immunoglobulin J kappa-C kappa intron: possible enhancer element

Several functionally important genetic elements (such as the TATA box, mRNA splice sequences, poly(A) addition signal) were first detected as short segments of unexplained sequence homology within non-coding regions of different genes. A short region of unknown sequence in the intron between the human J kappa and C kappa immunoglobulin coding regions was found to be sufficiently homologous to the corresponding segment of the mouse gene to form stable heteroduplexes. Although no specific function has yet been definitely ascribed to this region (which we call the kappa intron conserved region, or KICR), some functional significance has been inferred from the findings that (1) activation of B lymphocytes induces a DNase hypersensitivity site in this region and (2) deletions including this region reduce expression of kappa genes introduced into lymphoid cells. To delineate the KICR more precisely and to test the generality of the sequence conservation in a third species, we have sequenced this region of the human and mouse genes and have examined the corresponding region of a recently cloned rabbit kappa gene. We find a segment of about 130 base pairs (bp) that shows striking conservation in all three species, demonstrating homology significantly higher than within the C kappa coding region itself. Two short sequences from the J kappa-C kappa intron that were noted by other investigators to be homologous to proposed 'enhancer' sequences both lie within the conserved region.     

A uniform deleting element mediates the loss of kappa genes in human B cells

Human immunoglobulin light-chain genes become rearranged in an ordered fashion during pre-B-cell development such that rearrangement generally occurs in kappa genes before lambda genes (refs 1,2). This ordered process includes an unanticipated deletion of the constant kappa (C kappa) gene and kappa enhancer sequence which precedes lambda rearrangement, and the site of this deletional recombination was located 3' to the joining (J kappa) segments in 75% of cases studied. We have now characterized the recombinational element responsible for this event on three separate alleles and found them to be identical. This kappa-deleting element recombined site-specifically with a palindromic signal (CACAGTG) located in the J kappa-C kappa intron. All losses of C kappa genes in other human B cells were mediated by this determinant, including the 25% of instances when this element recombined with sequences 5' to J kappa. In contrast, the kappa-deleting element remained in its germline form on all successful kappa-producing alleles. Moreover, kappa loss is an evolutionarily conserved event, as the kappa-deleting element appears to be the human homologue of the murine RS sequence. Our results suggest that this element may help ensure isotypic and allelic exclusion of light chains and may be involved in the ordered use of human light-chain genes.     

Activation in vitro of NF-kappa B by phosphorylation of its inhibitor I kappa B

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), which was first detected by its binding to the kappa B site in the immunoglobulin kappa-gene enhancer, is important for the regulated expression of the kappa-gene and is partly responsible for the induction in appropriate cells of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-2 alpha receptor, beta-interferon and serum amyloid A protein. NF-kappa B is present as a nuclear DNA-binding protein in B lymphocytes and mature macrophages, but is found in the cytoplasm of many cells in a form unable to bind to DNA. The cytoplasmic form is bound to an inhibitor protein, I kappa B, from which it can be released in vitro by deoxycholate and other agents. Activation of cells by various agents, notably the phorbol esters that stimulate protein kinase C (PKC), leads to dissociation in vivo of the NF-kappa B/I kappa B complex and migration of NF-kappa B to the nucleus. Therefore, it acts as a second messenger system, transducing activation signals from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. To elucidate the mechanism of signal transfer, we have used an in vitro system in which addition of purified protein kinases to a partially purified NF-kappa B/I kappa B complex leads to the activation of the DNA-binding activity of NF-kappa B. Using gel retardation assays we found that PKC, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and a haem-regulated eIF-2 kinase (HRI) could activate NF-kappa B in vitro, whereas casein kinase II was ineffective. To determine the target for the protein kinases we purified and characterized both NF-kappa B and I kappa B and found that I kappa B is phosphorylated and inactivated in the presence of PKC and HRI but not PKA.     

木质素降解复合菌的选育及其对芦苇浆卡伯值的影响

筛选木质素降解菌株并从中挑出产漆酶(Lac)和锰过氧化物酶(MnP)能力较强的4株菌株,复合培养得到4种复合菌ABC,ACD,ABD和BCD.复合培养后Lac和MnP产酶高峰较单一培养均有所提前,ABC,ACD的Lac和MnP酶活力活在60～72 h达到最大.BCD的Lac和MnP酶活力均高于其他3种,而且其MnP有两个产酶高峰.芦苇浆经4种复合菌处理后,卡伯值均有所下降,经BCD处理后卡伯值降幅最大,达到(5.3±0.12).     

柴胡疏肝散对偏头痛大鼠NF-κB、C-fos及5-HT的影响

为观察柴胡疏肝散对硝酸甘油偏头痛大鼠模型中脑导水管周围灰质(PAG)5-HT、NF-κB、C-fos表达的影响,以探讨其可能的作用机制。用60只SD大鼠随机分为6组:空白组、模型组、对照组及中药高、中、低剂量组,各组灌胃给予相应药液(或生理盐水),连续14 d,末次灌胃后以皮下注射硝酸甘油的方式复制偏头痛大鼠模型。通过蛋白印迹法观察偏头痛大鼠PAG NF-κB的表达;通过免疫组化法观察其5-HT、C-fos表达。结果预防性使用柴胡疏肝散能减少硝酸甘油偏头痛模型大鼠PAG NF-κB、C-fos的表达,提高硝酸甘油偏头痛模型大鼠PAG 5-HT的表达;临床等效剂量效果与氟桂利嗪相当(P0.05),大剂量效果优于氟桂利嗪(P0.05)。说明:1硝酸甘油偏头痛大鼠模型PAG NF-κB蛋白表达增加;2柴胡疏肝散能抑制硝酸甘油偏头痛大鼠NF-κB信号通路,减少其下游基因C-fos的表达,减轻神经源性炎症;该效应在一定剂量范围内具有量效关系;3硝酸甘油偏头痛大鼠模型PAG 5-HT表达降低;柴胡疏肝散能提高硝酸甘油偏头痛大鼠PAG 5-HT的表达,减少疼痛刺激伤害;该效应在一定剂量范围内具有量效关系。     

Aberrant rearrangement of the kappa light-chain locus involving the heavy-chain locus and chromosome 15 in a mouse plasmacytoma

The creation of a functional antibody gene requires the precise recombination of gene segments initially separated on the chromosome. Frequently errors occur in the process, resulting in the formation of a non-functional gene. The non-functional genes can be generated by incomplete rearrangements, frameshifts, or the use of pseudo V or J joining segments. It is likely that these aberrant rearrangements arise by the same mechanism as is used in generating functional genes, a process which we have suggested may involve unequal sister chromatid exchange. Aberrant rearrangements of immunoglobulin genes occur in normal lymphocytes and play a major part in allelic exclusion. However, it has recently been suggested that aberrant rearrangements involving immunoglobulin and non-immunoglobulin genes may be involved in tumorigenesis. This suggestion has been stimulated by the frequent occurrence of translocations involving chromosomes known to carry immunoglobulin genes in B-cell malignancies. The rearrangement of non-immunoglobulin DNA to the heavy-chain locus has recently been reported. Some aberrant rearrangements of the kappa locus appear to be due to rearrangements to sites that do not include the conventional sequence for V gene segment joining. Here we describe an aberrant kappa rearrangement that has led to the joining of DNA from chromosomes 15, 6 and 12, and so appears to be the result of chromosomal translocations or transpositions. As 15/6 or 15/12 translocations have frequently been found in mouse plasmacytomas (as have analogous translocations in human lymphocyte tumours) this aberrant kappa rearrangement may be unique to the plasmacytoma from which it was isolated.