E. Jouvinmarche et al., DIFFERENTIAL CHRONOLOGY OF TCRADV2 GENE USE BY ALPHA-CHAINS AND DELTA-CHAINS OF THE MOUSE TCR, European Journal of Immunology, 28(3), 1998, pp. 818-827
The genes coding for TCR alpha and delta chains share the same genetic
locus (TCRA/D). The rules governing the utilization of a V gene with
the alpha and delta chains have not been established. More specificall
y, it is not known whether the position of a gene within the locus inf
luences its utilization in alpha and delta TCR. To elucidate these poi
nts, we mapped ADV2 genes in the TCRA/D locus of BALB/c mice and analy
zed their utilization in TCR alpha and delta transcripts from thymi is
olated from mice of different ages. Our results show that all ADV2 gen
es can be used by the two chains, but with strikingly different patter
ns. Moreover, ADV2 utilization by the alpha chain proceeds in successi
ve concentric waves during development, suggesting a progressive regul
ation of gene accessibility and utilization. These results support ind
ependent control of TCRA and TCRD gene assembly.