Construction and characterization of a BAC library for functional genomics in Xenopus tropicalis.

Large insert genomic DNA libraries are useful resources for genomic studies. Although the genome of Xenopus tropicalis stands as the amphibian reference genome because it benefitted from large-scale sequencing studies, physical mapping resources such as BAC libraries are lagging behind. Here we present the construction and characterization of a BAC library that covers the whole X.

Molecular and biochemical characterization of the Mexican axolotl CD3 (CD3ε and CD3γ/δ).

In mammals, the T-cell receptor (TCR) complex expressed on mature T-cells consists of α/β or γ/δ clonotypic heterodimers non-covalently associated with four invariant chains forming the CD3 complex (CD3γ, CD3δ, CD3ε and CD3ζ). The TCR is the unit implicated in the antigenic peptide recognition whereas the CD3 subunits present as three different dimers (δ-ε, γ-ε and ζ-ζ) in the receptor complex participate to the signal transduction and are indispensable for the expression of the TCR at the cell surface. We report the cloning, characterization and expression analysis of CD3γ/δ and CD3ε genes in an amphibian urodele, the Mexican axolotl.

Highly restricted diversity of TCR delta chains of the amphibian Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) in peripheral tissues.

Gammadelta T cells localize at mammalian epithelial surfaces to exert both protective and regulatory roles in response to infections. We have previously characterized the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) T cell receptor delta (TRD) chain. In this study, TRD repertoires in spleen, liver, intestine and skin from larvae, pre-adult and adult axolotls were examined and compared to the thymic TRD repertoire.

[On the origin of the adaptative immune system (AIS): the hypothesis].

The adaptive immune system (AIS) appears exclusively at the vertebrate ones with jaw. In parallel, the lymphoid tissu associated with the digestive tract, or GALT (gut associated lymphoïd tissu), seems to play an essential part in the development of this response immune with memory. That one could find its origin in the innate immune system of the invertebrates and closer the cyclostomes (vertebrates without jaws).

Early expression of two TdT isoforms in the hematopoietic system of the Mexican axolotl. Implications for the evolutionary origin of the N-nucleotide addition.

Nontemplate (N)-nucleotide addition by the terminal dideoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) at the junctions of rearranging V( D) J gene segments greatly contribute to antigen-receptor diversity. TdT has been identified in several vertebrate species, where it is highly conserved. We report here the isolation of two forms of TdT mRNA in an amphibian, the Mexican axolotl.

Identification and expression of Helios, a member of the Ikaros family, in the Mexican axolotl: implications for the embryonic origin of lymphocyte progenitors.

Transcription factors of the Ikaros gene family are critical for the differentiation of T and B lymphocytes from pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells. To study the first steps of lymphopoiesis in the Mexican axolotl, we have cloned the Helios ortholog in this urodele amphibian species. We demonstrated that the axolotl Helios contains a 144-bp deletion at the 5' end of the activation domain.

Cloning and modeling of CD8 beta in the amphibian ambystoma Mexicanum. Evolutionary conserved structures for interactions with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules.

Mammalian and avian T-cells exhibit a large number of well characterized surface molecules associated with their maturation degree. Very little is known in comparison with T-cell differentiation in ectothermic vertebrates. This is mainly due to the lack of probes to identify T-cell subsets.

Structure, diversity and expression of the TCRdelta chains in the Mexican axolotl.

Mammals and birds have two major populations of T cells, based on the molecular composition and biological properties of their antigen receptors (TCR). alpha beta T cells recognize antigenic peptides linked to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, and gamma delta T cells recognize native peptide or non-peptide antigens independently of MHC. Very little is known about gamma delta T cells in ectothermic vertebrates.

Complexity of the T cell receptor Cbeta isotypes in the Mexican axolotl: structure and diversity of the VDJCbeta3 and VDJCbeta4 chains.

We have reported previously the presence of two T cell receptor beta-chain constant region (Cbeta) isotypes in the Mexican axolotl. Specific Dbeta and Jbeta segments were present at the Vbeta-Cbeta1 and Vbeta-Cbeta2 junctions and nine Vbeta families which associate with both isotypes were characterized. This report describes two new Cbeta isotypes, Cbeta3 and Cbeta4.

Structure and diversity of Mexican axolotl lambda light chains.

We report here the structure of cDNA clones encoding axolotl light chains of the lambda type. A single IGLC gene and eight different potential IGLV genes belonging to four different families were detected. The axolotl Cgamma domain has several residues or stretches of residues that are typically conserved in mammalian, avian, and Xenopus Cgamma, but the KATLVCL stretch, which is well conserved in the Cgamma and T-cell receptor Cbeta domains of many vertebrate species, is not well conserved.

RAG expression is restricted to the first year of life in the Mexican axolotl.

The developmental expression of the RAG1 gene in the Mexican axolotl hematopoietic organs was studied. RAG1 mRNAs were first detected in trunk extracts from 6-week-old larvae, and in head and trunk extracts of 8- and 9-week-old larvae. RAG1 is expressed in the thymus at all stages of development, until its natural involution after 12 months of age.

Structure and developmental expression of Ikaros in the Mexican axolotl.

The Ikaros family of transcription factors plays an essential role in hematopoiesis. We report here the structure of cDNA clones encoding two Ikaros isoforms, Ikl and Ik2, in the Mexican axolotl. The Ik1 cDNA sequence is very similar to that of the rainbow trout, chicken, and mammalian Ik1 sequences.

T-cell receptors in ectothermic vertebrates.

The structure and expression of genes encoding molecules homologous to mammalian T-cell receptors (TCR) have been recently studied in ectothermic vertebrate species representative of chondrychthians, teleosts, and amphibians. The overall TCR chain structure is well conserved in phylogeny: TCR beta- and TCR alpha-like chains were detected in all the species analyzed; TCR gamma- and TCR delta-like chains were also present in a chondrychthian species. The diversity potential of the variable (V) and joining (J) segments is rather large and, as in mammals, conserved diversity (D) segments are associated to the TCR beta and TCR delta chains.

Structure and diversity of the heavy chain VDJ junctions in the developing Mexican axolotl.

The immune capacity of young and adult axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) was evaluated by examining the combinatorial and junctional diversity of the VH chain. A large number of VDJ rearrangements isolated from 2.5-, 3.

The T cell receptor beta genes of Xenopus.

cDNA of the T cell receptor beta (TCRB) have been isolated from the anuran amphibian Xenopus and they show strong structural homology to TCRB sequences of other vertebrates. Ten BV families, two D segments, ten J segments, and a single C region have been defined so far. Each V family consists of one to two members per haploid genome.

Structure and diversity of the T-cell receptor alpha chain in the Mexican axolotl.

Polymerase chain reaction was used to isolate cDNA clones encoding putative T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha chains in an amphibian, the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). Five TCRalpha-V chain-encoding segments were identified, each belonging to a separate family. The best identity scores for these axolotl TCRalpha-V segments were all provided by sequences belonging to the human TCRalpha-V1 family and the mouse TCRalpha-V3 and TCRalpha-V8 families.

Structure and diversity of the TCR alpha-chain in a teleost fish.

T cell receptor beta-chain genes are well characterized in representatives of most vertebrate phyla, from sharks to mammals, but the molecular structure of complete TCR alpha-chains has not yet been established in cold-blooded vertebrates. We used a PCR approach to isolate cDNAs encoding putative teleost fish (Oncorhynchus mykiss, rainbow trout) TCR alpha-chains. Eight V alpha segments were identified, belonging to six different families, and the best amino acid sequence identity scores for these trout V alpha were all provided by mammalian V alpha or V delta sequences.

The structure, rearrangement, and ontogenic expression of DB and JB gene segments of the Mexican axolotl T-cell antigen receptor beta chain (TCRB).

We sequenced a total of 189 independent rearrangements in which the VB7.1 element is associated with CB1 (99 clones) or CB2 (90 clones) isotypes of the T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain in the Mexican axolotl. Three stages of development were analyzed: 2.

Identification of cDNA clones encoding HMG 2, a major protein of the mexican axolotl hydrocortisone-sensitive thymocytes.

We have identified and analyzed cDNA clones encoding a major 26 kDa protein of the HMG1-2 family which is abundant in the cytoplasm and nucleus of axolotl hydrocortisone-sensitive thymocytes. The axolotl HMG2 protein is very similar to proteins belonging to the HMG1-2 family, from teleost fish to mammals. All the molecular features of the HMG1-2 proteins are conserved, including the high proportion of basic and aromatic residues, and the characteristic acidic C-terminus tail.

Structure and diversity of the T cell antigen receptor beta-chain in a teleost fish.

Cell-mediated immunity (e.g., allograft rejection) is found in all vertebrates, and these reactions are known to depend on thymus-derived cells in amphibian, avian, and mammalian species.

Evolution of T cell receptor genes. Extensive diversity of V beta families in the Mexican axolotl.

We have cloned 36 different rearranged variable regions (V beta) genes encoding the beta-chain of the T cell receptor in an amphibian species, Ambystoma mexicanum (the Mexican axolotl). Eleven different V beta segments were identified, which can be classified into 9 families on the basis of a minimum of 75% nucleotide identity. All the cloned V beta segments have the canonical features of known mammalian and avian V beta, including conserved residues Cys23, Trp34, Arg69, Tyr90, and Cys92.

[Characterization of cDNA of T-cell receptor beta chain in rainbow trout].

Using a two-step PCR strategy, we have cloned several cDNA segments encoding the T-cell receptor beta chain in a Teleost fish, the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The nine clones analyzed encode identical N-terminal-truncated V beta regions which present limited sequence similarities with several mammalian TcR V beta chains, from residue Tyr-35 to residue Ser-95. These V beta regions are followed by V beta-D beta-J beta-like regions which are different in all the sequenced clones, and by identical C beta regions.