T cell receptor gamma and delta gene rearrangements in scid thymocytes. Similarity to those in normal thymocytes
Kienker, L.J.; Kuziel, W.A.; Garni-Wagner, B.A.; Kumar, V.; Tucker, P.W.
Journal of Immunology 147(12): 4351-4359
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 1661315 Document Number: 378171
The nature of TCR .gamma. and .delta. gene rearrangements in 4- to 6-week-old scid thymocytes was examined by using the polymerase chain reaction technique, cloning, and DNA sequencing. Analysis of 78 sequences indicate that TCR .gamma. and .delta. gene rearrangements in scid mice generally resemble those in thymocytes from normal young adult mice. V.gamma.1, V.gamma.2, and V.gamma.5 rearrangements are heterogeneous, with extensive N region addition and nucleotide excision from the recombining coding segments. In addition, homogeneous and fetal-like V.gamma.3, Vy4, and V.delta.1 rearrangements are observed. Thee rearrangements are currently difficult to interpret but may be significant with respect to whether certain homogenous joints in normal mice are due to cellular selection or to the rearrangement process, scid TCR .gamma. and .delta. gene nucleotide sequences also reveal direct V-J.delta. joining, inter-(V-J-C.gamma.) cluster joining, and the possibility of inversional rearrangement at the .gamma. locus. Short sequence homologies may contribute to V(D)J recombination and to the rescue of blocked coding joints.