Nucleotide sequence of messenger RNA encoding V sub(H)DJ sub(H) and V sub(K)J sub(K) of a highly conserved idiotype-defined primary response anti-hapten antibody

The primary humoral immune response of mice to the hapten phthalate (Xmp) is focused upon two adjacent immunodominant negatively charged carboxyl groups on a benzene ring that are in positions meta and para to the azolinkage (i.e., Xmp) to the protein carrier keyhole limpet hemocyanin. In order to obtain a better understanding of the events and parameters that influence the selection and regulation of the primary response B cell repertoire, and to explore the structural basis of Ag binding, we have determined the nucleotide sequence of the entire V region gene complexes, which encode the H and L chains of these highly conserved and dominant CRI sub(Xmp-1+) antibodies. The amino acid sequence predicted from the nucleotide sequence of the V sub(K)J sub(K) from Xmp-specific CRI sub(Xmp-1+) hybridomas is identical to the sequence of the anti-arsonate antibody 1210.7, which is the prototype of another Id family (CRI) that is conserved and dominant in BALB/c mice.