Yi Xiaohua, Qiu Yanbo, Xie Puhang, Wang Shuhui, Sun Xiuzhu
College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
College of Grassland Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
BMC Vet Res. 2025 Mar 28;21(1):214. doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04676-1.
Immunoglobulins, a class of globulins with antibody properties, play a crucial role in the body's defense against pathogens. In this study, we analyzed the gene loci structure of Silver-black fox using a comparative genomics approach. The mechanisms of expression diversity and its preferences were investigated through Next-generation sequencing (NGS). The results revealed 32 potentially functional VH genes, 9 Vκ genes, 17 Vλ genes, 9 DH genes, 3 JH genes, 6 Jκ genes, and 11 Jλ genes, located on different scaffolds. Subsequently, 5'RACE and PE300 bipartite sequencing were used to obtain the reads of the expressed antibody repertoire of Silver-black foxes gene rearrangement events. The analysis indicated a strong preference in the use of V genes, DH genes and J genes by Silver-black fox. The main ways of expression diversity were V(D)J recombination and somatic hypermutation (SHM). The hypermutated region of SHM was not only concentrated in the CDR region but also had higher mutation rate in the FR region. The main types of SHM were G > A, C > T, T > C, and A > G. The findings of this study could serve as a theoretical foundation for a deeper understanding of Silver-black fox immunoglobulins, which is significant for enriching knowledge in immunogenetics and providing theoretical support for future studies on vaccine design for the Silver-black fox.
免疫球蛋白是一类具有抗体特性的球蛋白，在机体抵御病原体的过程中发挥着关键作用。在本研究中，我们采用比较基因组学方法分析了银黑狐的基因座结构。通过下一代测序（NGS）研究了表达多样性及其偏好的机制。结果显示，位于不同支架上的有32个潜在功能性VH基因、9个Vκ基因、17个Vλ基因、9个DH基因、3个JH基因、6个Jκ基因和11个Jλ基因。随后，利用5'RACE和PE300双向测序获得银黑狐基因重排事件表达抗体库的读数。分析表明，银黑狐在V基因、DH基因和J基因的使用上有强烈偏好。表达多样性的主要方式是V(D)J重排和体细胞超突变（SHM）。SHM的高突变区域不仅集中在互补决定区（CDR），而且在框架区（FR）也有较高突变率。SHM的主要类型为G＞A、C＞T、T＞C和A＞G。本研究结果可为深入了解银黑狐免疫球蛋白提供理论基础，这对于丰富免疫遗传学知识以及为银黑狐未来疫苗设计研究提供理论支持具有重要意义。
