The V region sequence of lambda Bence-Jones protein Wh: evidence for separate germ-line sets within lambda-subgroups.

The complete variable region sequence of the glycosylated Bence-Jones protein Wh has revealed that the most hypervariable segments of the first and third complementarity-determing regions (CDR) are identical with those of another glycosylated Bence-Jones protein (Nei) of the same lambda-subgroup. The carbohydrate is attached in both proteins at the identical sequences in the third CDR, and the sequences of the first CDR differ at only one position in fourteen. Because CDR sequence comparisons more sensitively reflect overall germ-line V gene similarities, proteins Wh and Nei could possibly reflect a "set" relationship analogous to the mouse V kappa isotype. Cluster analyses of currently available V lambda sequences supported this suggested relationship.