A directory of human germ-line Vχ segments reveals a strong bias in their usage

TLDR: Comparison with 236 rearranged sequences revealed that no more than 24 of these germ‐line sequences could be assigned rearranged counterparts, that some of these were rarely used, and that only about 11 sequences are used frequently, suggesting that the expressed Vχ repertoire is mainly derived from a limited number of segments.

Abstract: From the genomic DNA of a single individual, we have amplified, cloned and sequenced 37 human germ-line V kappa segments. Four of these segments were new. We then compiled a comprehensive directory of all germ-line V kappa segments and identified 50 different sequences with open reading frames. Comparison with 236 rearranged sequences revealed that no more than 24 of these germ-line sequences could be assigned rearranged counterparts, that some of these were rarely used, and that only about 11 sequences are used frequently. This suggests that the expressed V kappa repertoire is mainly derived from a limited number of segments. Most surprisingly, the J kappa-distal region of the locus appears to be rarely used: we could unambiguously assign 162 rearranged sequences to V kappa segments of the J kappa-proximal region, but only 5 to segments of the J kappa-distal region.