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- Title
Soma-to-germline feedback is implied by the extreme polymorphism at IGHV relative to MHC.
- Authors
Steele, Edward J.; Lloyd, Sally S.
- Abstract
Soma-to-germline feedback is forbidden under the neo-Darwinian paradigm. Nevertheless, there is a growing realization it occurs frequently in immunoglobulin (Ig) variable (V) region genes. This is a surprising development. It arises from a most unlikely source in light of the exposure of co-author EJS to the haplotype data of RL Dawkins and others on the polymorphism of the Major Histocompatibility Complex, which is generally assumed to be the most polymorphic region in the genome (spanning ∼4 Mb). The comparison between the magnitude of MHC polymorphism with estimates for the human heavy chain immunoglobulin V locus (spanning ∼1 Mb), suggests IGHV could be many orders of magnitude more polymorphic than the MHC. This conclusion needs airing in the literature as it implies generational churn and soma-to-germline gene feedback. Pedigree-based experimental strategies to resolve the IGHV issue are outlined.
- Subjects
GERM cells; GENETIC polymorphisms; MAJOR histocompatibility complex; IMMUNOGLOBULINS; HAPLOTYPES
- Publication
BioEssays, 2015, Vol 37, Issue 5, p557
- ISSN
0265-9247
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/bies.201400213