Restriction fragment alleles of the rabbit IGHG genes with reference to the rabbit IGHGCH2 or e locus polymorphism

Abstract

Among domesticated mammals, rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is the only species possessing not more than one subclass of immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies. The rabbit IGHGCH2 or e locus presents two serologically defined alleles, the e14 and e15 allotypes, which are correlated with amino acid variation at the IgG CH2-CH3 interface. Genetic studies, while revealing the adaptive value of this polymorphism, have relied so far entirely upon allo-antisera. Here we show how these alleles can be distinguished by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. The proposed PCR-RFLP approach allows the monitoring of IGHG locus diversity in rabbit. Abbreviations: IgG, gamma class immunoglobulin; IGHG, IgG immunoglobulin heavy chain gamma constant region; IGHGCH2, second domain of IGHG; bp, base pair; aa, amino acid; PCR, polymerase chain reaction, RFLP, restriction fragment length polymorphism.