In situ hybridization mapping of the immunoglobulin gamma heavy chain (IGHG) gene to chromosome 20q23-q25 in river buffaloes

Immunoglobulins are complex protein molecules of light and heavy chains, each having a variable (v) region, which determines the antigen-binding specificity, and a constant (c) region, which mediates biological effects or functions. Within the Bovidae, the immunoglobulins have been studied mainly in cattle and sheep. In cattle, the gene for immunoglobulin gamma heavy chain (IGHG) has been mapped to chromosome 21 by synteny studies. Later, Gu et al., using in situ hybridization, localized this gene on chromosome 21q24 in cattle. In sheep, molecular analysis of the sheep immunoglobulin light chain loci has recently been reported by Foley and Beh. As far as known, immunoglobulins have not yet been studied in buffaloes. The present study was undertaken to localize the IGHG gene in river buffaloes by in situ hybridization.