T-cell receptor VT beta genes in natural populations of mice.

The composition of 15 VT beta gene subfamilies has been examined by Southern hybridization among a broad spectrum of colony bred rat and mouse species extending phylogenetically from Rattus to Mus musculus domesticus. Most mouse species contain a similar content of VT beta genes as determined by the number of hybridizing restriction fragment (RF) bands. Furthermore, the extent of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) appears to be limited. Some VT beta gene families, however, are missing from Rattus (VT beta 7, VT beta 12) and M. shortridgei (VT beta 9, VT beta 16). Extension of the VT beta survey to a panel of 38 wild caught mice reveals that nearly a third lack specific hybridization to the VT beta 5 probe. Previous reports have established that the mouse inbred strains SJL, C57BR, C57L, and SWR lack 50% of their VT beta repertoire, including VT beta 5 (Behlke et al. 1985). This study demonstrates that natural populations of mice also carry a significantly reduced VT beta gene repertoire.