Cloning and sequencing of a cDNA encoding the bovine FcR gamma chain

Phagocytic cells of the immune system express specific receptors for the Fc region of immunoglobulins (FcRs). In humans, most FcRs for IgG (Fc gammaR) , IgA (Fc alphaR) and IgE (Fc epsilonR) consist of an immunoglobulin (Ig) - binding subunit associated with a specialized signaling molecule, the FcR g amma chain. The FeR gamma chain is crucial for the transmission of intracel lular signals following receptor ligation. In cattle, however, although fou r distinct complimentary DNAs (cDNAs) encoding IgG-binding subunits have be en described (corresponding to bovine Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma RII, Fc gamma R III, and Fc gamma 2R), virtually, nothing is known about signal transductio n via bovine FcRs. Therefore, in this study, a cDNA encoding the bovine FcR gamma chain was cloned. The cDNA is 258 base pairs long and encodes a prot ein of 85 amino-acids. The mature protein shows high homology with the FcR gamma chains from several other species. Interestingly, the cytoplasmic dom ain of the bovine FeR gamma chain is one amino-acid shorter than those prev iously described. Cloning of a cDNA encoding, the bovine FcR gamma chain wi ll allow for a better understanding of signal transduction processes trigge red by bovine FcRs. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.