# GENETIC CONTROL OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN VARIABLE REGIONS

> **NIH NIH R01** · LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO · 1993 · $236,663

## Abstract

The goal of this project is to examine V(H) gene usage in rabbit VDJ
gene rearrangements.  These studies are important for understanding
basic mechanisms of the immune system of mammals.  Previous studies
showed that rabbit B cells preferentially utilize the 3'-most germline
VH gene, VH1 in their VDJ gene rearrangements.  The specific aims of
this proposal are to 1) determine if the preferential usage of VH1
reflects preferential rearrangement of this germline gene or antigen
selection of B cells that have utilized VH1, 2) search for a
"recombination enhancer" flanking VH1, 3) determine V(H) gene usage in
various B cell populations including B cells that produce antibodies
of defined specificity, V(H)a- B cells of mutant Alicia rabbits, V(H)a-
cells of suppressed rabbits, and CD5+ B cells, 4) develop rabbit B cell
lines, 5) determine the order of V(H), D(H), and J(H) gene rearrange-
ments, and 6) construct a linear map of the V(H) chromosomal region.

The methods used to achieve these goals include construction of
recombinant phage libraries from various B cell populations, and the
cloning and characterization of VDJ genes from these libraries.
Vectors will be developed for use in determining if particular germline
V(H) genes are preferentially rearranged and in identifying cis acting
elements responsible for the rearrangement.

Experiments using rabbit X mouse hybridomas and rabbit B cell lines are
described, the goal being to test the hypothesis that the order of VDJ
gene rearrangement in rabbit is V to D followed by VD to J, unlike
other mammals that rearrange D to J, followed by V to DJ.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3126727
- **Project number:** 2R01AI016611-14
- **Recipient organization:** LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** RFRPFMNR8LA5
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine L. Knight
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $236,663
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1989-01-01 → 1997-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3126727

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3126727, GENETIC CONTROL OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN VARIABLE REGIONS (2R01AI016611-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3126727. Licensed CC0.

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