Identification of a new European rabbit IgA with a serine-rich hinge region

Ana Pinheiro, Patricia de Sousa-Pereira, Tanja Strive, Katherine L. Knight, Jenny M. Woof, Pedro J. Esteves, Joana Abrantes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)
172 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In mammals, the most striking IgA system belongs to Lagomorpha. Indeed, 14 IgA subclasses have been identified in European rabbits, 11 of which are expressed. In contrast, most other mammals have only one IgA, or in the case of hominoids, two IgA subclasses. Characteristic features of the mammalian IgA subclasses are the length and amino acid sequence of their hinge regions, which are often rich in Pro, Ser and Thr residues and may also carry Cys residues. Here, we describe a new IgA that was expressed in New Zealand White domestic rabbits of IGHVa1 allotype. This IgA has an extended hinge region containing an intriguing stretch of nine consecutive Ser residues and no Pro or Thr residues, a motif exclusive to this new rabbit IgA. Considering the amino acid properties, this hinge motif may present some advantage over the common IgA hinge by affording novel functional capabilities. We also sequenced for the first time the IgA14 CH2 and CH3 domains and showed that IgA14 and IgA3 are expressed.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0201567
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume13
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Aug 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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