When Ig chains were first sequenced, segments within the constant regions of H and L chains showed sequence similarities, and this led to the idea that the Ig chains had all evolved from a primordial gene coding for about 100 amino acids (1). The domains within the Ig chains all contained a characteristic intrachain disulfide bond, and the idea of the domain as an independent structural unit wa...

Recurrent non-random balanced chromosomal translocation, usually involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene or an immunoglobulin light chain gene and a proto-oncogene, which results in the overexpression of the latter under the control of an enhancer or promoter of the former, is a hallmark of many types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) of B-cell origin. However, translocations between Ig...

On the cover: Structures of antigen binding fragments (Fabs) of lambda versus kappa anti-HIV envelope antibodies. Structures of Fab were superimposed based on light chain variable domain and colored green/yellow (lambda antibodies) and magenta/cyan (kappa antibodies) for light/ heavy chain, respectively. The complementary region first and third of light chain (CDR L1 and CDR L3) are highlighted...

Small resting B lymphocytes all start out producing IgM Abs. Upon encountering Ag, the cells become activated and make a switch from IgM to other Ig classes. This class switch serves to distribute a particular V region to different Ig C regions. Each C region mediates a specialized effector function, and so, through switching, an organism can guide its Abs to various sites. Creating the new H c...

A series of 27 B-cell lymphomas (designated the CH series), induced in B10.H-2aH-4b p/Wts mice by intense adoptive immunization with sheep erythrocytes, was found to represent a subset of the total B-cell repertoire. This subset was characterized by expression of a limited number of Ig heavy chain variable regions, as evidenced by the presence of cross-reactive idiotypes and common antigen bind...

The organization and expression of immunoglobulin genes were studied in a series of six hybridomas derived from the fusion of a nonproducing myeloma cell with cells from mouse fetal liver. These hybridomas, which exhibit several phenotypic characteristics of immature B lymphocytes, all have productively rearranged mu heavy chain genes and produce both the membrane and secreted forms of mu mRNA ...

Little is known about the utilization of human Ig heavy chain variable gene segments (VH segments) in different B-lineage cell populations or in antibodies of particular specificity and function. We now demonstrate that human antibodies with Ig VH regions encoded by the most JH-proximal human VH segment (VH6) have specificities resembling those of autoantibodies present in sera of patients with...

Antibodies bearing the T15 idiotype dominate the murine primary immune response to phosphocholine (PC). Analysis of antigen binding of antibodies derived from V1:DFL16.1:JH1 (VH1) germline and N region-derived variant heavy (H) chains and kappa 22, kappa 24, and kappa 8 light (L) chains demonstrates that the T15H:kappa 22L (T15) antibody binds PC at least 20-40 times better than other antibodie...

It is widely appreciated that the isotype of the H chain of the Ab molecule influences its functional properties. We have now investigated the contribution of the isotype of the L chain to the structural and functional properties of the Ab molecule. In these studies, the L chain variable region of a murine anti-dansyl Ab was joined to either human kappa or lambda constant region domains and exp...

Aims-To directly visualise immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy (H) and light chain genes (kappa and lambda) in metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei of normal and malignant lymphocytes using small genomic probes targeted to intragenic sequences.Methods-Cytogenetic preparations from phytohaemagglutinin stimulated lymphocytes, B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) cells, and a B-prolymphocytic leuk...