Lamprey lymphocyte-like cells express homologs of genes involved in immunologically relevant activities of mammalian lymphocytes.

ABSTRACT: To shed light on the origin of adaptive immunity, a cDNA library was prepared from purified lymphocyte-like cells of a jawless vertebrate, the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). Randomly selected cDNA clones were sequenced, and their homologies to proteins in the databases were determined. Of the sequences homologous to proteins involved in immune responses, five were selected for further characterization. Their encoding genes corresponded to loci that in jawed vertebrates are essential for activities of lymphocytes. These activities include regulation of T and B cell stimulation and proliferation (CD45); stabilization of molecular complexes involved in lymphocyte activation, adhesion, migration, and differentiation (CD9/CD81); adaptor functions in signaling leading to the activation of B l

SUBMITTER: Uinuk-Ool T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC137888 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature