Immunoglobulins have been poorly characterized in cattle as compared to other mammalian species. A bovine genomic immunoglobulin lambda light chain constant region (IGL-C) probe was used to assign IGL to bovine syntenic group U23 using hybrid somatic cell genetics. U23 has subsequently been assigned to Bos taurus chromosome 17 (BTA17). Syntenic group U23 consists of gene markers that derive from three separate mouse and human chromosomes, demonstrating that this syntenic group has been subject to extensive "genome shuffling" during evolution. Additionally, a preliminary restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) study was initiated to determine the extent of variation present in the germline configuration of IGL-C. Several IGL-C genes appear to be present in cattle, and heritable polymorphisms in this region could be useful in characterizing the chromosomal structure of the region more fully, as well as having possible functional significance for the immune response in cattle.
ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
- Human Genome
- Genetics
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