Abstract
Mice with a null mutation in the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) gene harbor immunoglobulin and T cell receptor repertoires essentially devoid of N-region diversity. Consequently, the CDR3 loops important for antigen recognition are shorter and considerably less diverse than those of wild-type controls. We find surprisingly normal immune responses in TdT0 mice, as regards both efficiency and specificity. This provokes a reconsideration of the assumption that N-region diversity is required for an effective T and B cell repertoire.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase / immunology*
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Epitopes / immunology
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Immunoglobulins / genetics
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Immunoglobulins / immunology*
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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / immunology
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Mice
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Mice, Mutant Strains
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Neutralization Tests
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Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology*
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Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus / immunology
Substances
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Epitopes
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Immunoglobulins
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
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DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase