Genomic structure of the whole D–J–C clusters and the upstream region coding V segments of the TRB locus in pig

• Published in: Developmental and comparative immunology 2009-10, Vol.33 (10), p.1111-1119
• Main Authors: Eguchi-Ogawa, Tomoko, Toki, Daisuke, Uenishi, Hirohide
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Artiodactyla - genetics; Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial - genetics; Cloning, Molecular; Gene duplication; Genes, T-Cell Receptor beta - genetics; Genome - genetics; Genome sequence; Interspersed Repetitive Sequences - genetics; Multigene Family; Phylogeny; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta - classification; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta - genetics; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta - classification; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta - genetics; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Swine; Swine - genetics; T cell receptor β chain
• ISSN: 0145-305X; 1879-0089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2009.06.006

In the vertebrate immune system, T cells play a central role in host defense against microbial or viral infection. Previous studies suggested that at least two sets of TRBD– J– C clusters are harbored in the porcine genome. In this study, we determined 212,193 bp of a continuous porcine genomic sequence covering the entire TRBC region. EPHB6, TRPV6, TRY, and ten TRBV genes were conserved in the vicinity of the TRBD– J– C clusters. Interestingly, three TRBD– J– C clusters were identified in this sequence; each TRBD– J– C cluster consisted of one TRBD and seven TRBJ segments, with one TRBC region composed of four exons. The distribution of repetitive sequences and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the TRBD– J– C cluster, located at the center of the three clusters identified, had a structure combined with the others. Most of the TRBJ segments were available in public databases, suggesting that all three TRBD– J– C clusters are functional in pigs.