# GENETIC CONTROL OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN VARIABLE REGIONS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 1988 · $177,752

## Abstract

The goal of this research is to determine the genetic basis for the
allotypes of the variable region of rabbit immunoglobin heavy
chains.  Rabbit B cell leukemias will be developed in transgenic
rabbits carrying the c-myc-heavy chain enhancer gene construct.
Cell lines will be developed from these rabbits and a somatic cell
fusion partner will be developed for the generation of rabbit
hybridomas.  Rearranged VDJ genes will be cloned from the
leukemic cells as well as various hybridomas in order to determine
which germline genes are used in VDJ rearrangements and if there
is preferential usage of one or a small number of germline V
genes.  These studies should provide insight into the genetic basis
for the apparent allelic inheritance of rabbit VH allotypes.

The genetic basis for latent VH allotypes will also be examined by
preparation of a cDNA library from rabbits expressing large
quantities of a latent a2 allotype.  The nucleotide sequence of the
cDNAs will be determined and the cDNAs will be expressed in
vitro to establish which ones encode the latent a2 allotype.  If a
latent cDNA is cloned, the corresponding germline V gene will be
cloned and analyzed by nucleotide sequence analysis and for its
location within the VH chromosomal region.

Finally, VHa+, and Vha- cDNA will be cloned and the nucleotide
sequence determined in order to understand the structural
correlates of VH allotypes.  The regulatory region of genes
encoding nominal VHa+, VHa- and latent allotypes will be
compared in an effort to understand how the expression of the
multiple VH genes is regulated.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3126726
- **Project number:** 2R01AI016611-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** W8XEAJDKMXH3
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine L. Knight
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $177,752
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1980-01-01 → 1988-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3126726

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3126726, GENETIC CONTROL OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN VARIABLE REGIONS (2R01AI016611-09). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3126726. Licensed CC0.

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