Characterisation of the kappa light chain of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

Two full length cDNA sequences encoding the kappa light chain of the Austra lian marsupial, Trichosurus vulpecula, the brushtail possum, were isolated from a mesenteric lymph node cDNA library. The constant regions (C kappa) o f the two light chains were identical, but the variable (V kappa) and joini ng (J kappa) regions were different. At the amino acid level, possum C kapp a was most similar to C kappa of an American marsupial, Monodelphis domesti ca (75%), with similarity to eutherian C kappa ranging from 47 to 63%. The availability of molecular data will enable the development of immunological reagents for studying immune responses and disease in marsupials, thereby aiding conservation strategies and veterinary medicine. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.