Medycyna Wet. 67 (2), 101-104, 2011
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| Klaudia Chrząstek, Tomasz Piasecki |
| Reptilian isotypes of antibodies from the aspect of the evolution of the immunoglobulin gene |
| Antibodies (immunoglobulins, Ig) were first discovered in mammals, as IgM, IgD, IgG, IgE and IgA. These molecules are responsible for humoral immunity. The reptiles are the last major group of vertebrates in which the organization of the IgH locus and its encoded Ig H chain isotypes has not been well characterized. The reptile expresses three Ig H chain isotypes (IgM, IgD and IgY). The presence of the delta gene demonstrates an evolutionary continuity of IgD. Interestingly. A new study of the leopard gecko shows the presence of a gene that is the orthologue of IgA and IgX. |
| Key words: reptile, immunoglobulin |