Skip to main content
Log in

Allelic polymorphisms and RFLP in the human immunoglobulin lambda light chain locus

  • Review article
  • Published:
Human Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The organization of the human immunoglobulin lambda light chain locus (IGL) was recently described. This locus has been entirely sequenced. To evaluate the extent of the genomic variability existing inside that locus, we compiled all the available sequences of germline IGLV genes to find variants of Vλ sequences. We also looked for RFLP polymorphisms in a reputedly highly polymorphic human population from eastern Senegal, and compiled all RFLP data previously published. Analysis of these data indicates that IGLV alleles are frequent and increase the diversity of the lambda light chain repertoire in the human population. In contrast, RFLP and polymorphism by insertion and/or deletion are limited in that locus. This observation reinforces our hypothesis that the human IGL locus has undergone less evolutionary shuffling than the human kappa or heavy-chain loci.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received: 23 December 1998 / Accepted: 1 March 1999

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lefranc, MP., Pallarès, N. & Frippiat, JP. Allelic polymorphisms and RFLP in the human immunoglobulin lambda light chain locus. Hum Genet 104, 361–369 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004390050969

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004390050969

Keywords

Navigation