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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #279451
Title: Molecular identification of duck and quail common cytokine receptor gamma chain genes

Author
item JEONG, JIPSEOL - Gyeongsang National University
item LEE, CHANGHWAN - Gyeongsang National University
item YOO, JEONGMI - Gyeongsang National University
item KOH, PHIL - Gyeongsang National University
item KIM, YONG - Gyeongsang National University
item CHANG, HONG - Konkuk University
item CHOE, NONG - Gyeongsang National University
item Lillehoj, Hyun
item MIN, WONGI - Gyeongsang National University

Submitted to: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2012
Publication Date: 12/30/2012
Citation: Jeong, J., Lee, C., Yoo, J., Koh, P.O., Kim, Y.H., Chang, H.H., Choe, N.H., Lillehoj, H.S., Min, W. 2012. Molecular identification of duck and quail common cytokine receptor gamma chain genes. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. 140(1-2):159-65.

Interpretive Summary: Understanding chicken immune system and the various components of effector lymphocytes of poultry is critical in our understanding of host-pathogen interaction and the development of logical disease control strategies against many economically important diseases of poultry. In this communication by ARS scientists and collaborating scientists from the University of Gyeongsang National University, they describe new gene encoding the common cytokine receptor gamma chain family which plays crucial roles in the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses of poultry. This new information is especially important since unlike mammals, chickens possess two different gamma chain transcripts. To better understand the species difference in common cytokine receptor gamma chain family, chicken gamma chain cDNA and genomic clones from ducks and quails were investigated. The major findings from this paper concerning the species difference in common gamma chains in poultry, duck and quails reveal evolutionar relationship among these three bird species and indicate a possibility that avian species, unlike mammals, express two different gamma chain transcripts due to alternative splicing. This study is the first demonstration of an alternatively-spliced gamma chain isoform that lacks a transmembrane domain in birds. This new information will enhance our understanding of immune system of avian species.

Technical Abstract: Common cytokine receptor gamma chain family cytokines play crucial roles in the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Unlike mammals, chickens possess two different gamma chains transcripts. To determine if this difference is present in other avian species, gamma chain cDNA and genomic clones from ducks and quails were investigated. Two different gamma chain transcripts were identified in both species and designated as duck gamma chain-a, -b, quail gamma chain-a, and -b. Comparisons between the duck and quail gamma chain cDNA and genomic sequences indicated that the two transcripts were produced by alternative splicing. Unexpectedly, the duck gamma chain-b contained the fifth intron, a frame-switching 88-bp insertion, resulting in a receptor molecule lacking a transmembrane region. These findings indicate a possibility that avian species, unlike mammals, express two different gamma chain transcripts due to alternative splicing. This study is the first demonstration of an alternatively-spliced gamma chain isoform that lacks a transmembrane domain.