Diversification of immunoglobulin genes by gene conversion in the domestic chicken (<i>Gallus gallus</i>domesticus)

Abstract Sustainable modern poultry production depends on effective protection against infectious diseases and a diverse range of antibodies is key for an immune response. In the domestic chicken, somatic gene conversion dominant process in which antibody immunoglobulin genes are diversified. Affinity maturation by hypermutation (SHM) also occurs, but relative contribution versus to (Ig) diversity poorly understood. this study, we use high throughput long-read sequencing study multiple immune-associated tissues Rhode Island Red chickens. To better understand impact genetic diversification novel identification software was developed (BrepConvert). BrepConvert enabled over 1 million events. Mapping occurrence putative (SGC) events throughout variable region revealed repetitive highly restricted patterns insertions both heavy light chains. These coincided with locations variability available pseudogenes align antigen binding sites, predominately complementary determining regions (CDRs). We found biased usage during conversion, as well chain (IGHD) preferences V(D)J rearrangement, suggesting that chickens more focused than potential would suggest.