Organization of kappa light chain genes in germ-line and somatic tissue.

Abstract
The organization of the mouse L chain genes in germ-line (sperm) and somatic (embryo) tissues was studied. A plasmid containing a DNA insert coding for the MOPC 167 myeloma K chain was constructed and the Southern blotting technique was used to determine the organization of K variable [V] and constant (C) region genes. In the haploid genome of the mouse, there was only 1 C region gene detectable and it had the same organization in sperm and embryo DNA. There were several V region genes in sperm and embryo that were related to the Vk167 gene. The organization of the V genes in sperm and embryo DNA was identical. There is apparently no rearrangement of V region genes (minigenes) during early embryogenesis.