T-cell receptor V T? genes in natural populations of mice

Abstract

The composition of 15 V _Tβ gene subfamilies has been examined by Southern hybridization among a broad spectrum of colony bred rat and mouse species extending phylogenetically from Rattus to Mus musculus domesticus. Most mouse species contain a similar content of V _Tβ genes as determined by the number of hybridizing restriction fragment (RF) bands. Furthermore, the extent of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) appears to be limited. Some V _Tβ gene families, however, are missing from Rattus (VTβ7, V _Tβ12) and M. shortridgei (V _Tβ9, V _Tβ16). Extension of the V _Tβ survey to a panel of 38 wild-caught mice reveals that nearly a third lack specific hybridization to the V _Tβ5 probe. Previous reports have established that the mouse inbred strains SJL, C57BR, C57L, and SWR lack 50% of their V _Tβ repertoire, including V _Tβ5 (Behlke et al. 1985). This study demonstrates that natural populations of mice also carry a significantly reduced V _Tβ gene repertoire.