The cDNA encoding the epsilon chain of the tammar wallaby CD3 complex (CD3
epsilon;) was isolated by PCR. This is the first CD3 component to be cloned
in a marsupial. The tammar wallaby cDNA coding region was 61.7 and 63.0%,
identical to the human and mouse cDNA coding sequences, respectively. Simil
arly, the predicted amino acid sequence was 56.5 and 52.9% identical to the
human and mouse sequences. When compared with other known CD3 epsilon pept
ide sequences. the most conserved region of the tammar wallaby CD3 epsilon
chain peptide was the cytoplasmic domain and the least conserved was the ex
tracellular portion. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on the deduced amino
acid sequence placed the tammar wallaby sequence in its expected position
outside of all the eutherian mammals. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri
ghts reserved.