Squamate reptiles may have compensated for the lack of γδTCR with a duplication of the TRB locus
Squamate reptiles are amongst the most successful terrestrial vertebrate lineages, with over 10,000 species across a broad range of ecosystems. Despite their success, squamates are also amongst the least studied lineages immunologically. Recently, a universal lack of γδ T cells in squamates due to d...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Immunology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1524471/full |
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| author | Jordan M. Sampson Kimberly A. Morrissey Kieran J. Mikolajova Kourtney M. Zimmerly Neil J. Gemmell Michael G. Gardner Terry Bertozzi Terry Bertozzi Robert D. Miller |
| author_facet | Jordan M. Sampson Kimberly A. Morrissey Kieran J. Mikolajova Kourtney M. Zimmerly Neil J. Gemmell Michael G. Gardner Terry Bertozzi Terry Bertozzi Robert D. Miller |
| author_sort | Jordan M. Sampson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Squamate reptiles are amongst the most successful terrestrial vertebrate lineages, with over 10,000 species across a broad range of ecosystems. Despite their success, squamates are also amongst the least studied lineages immunologically. Recently, a universal lack of γδ T cells in squamates due to deletions of the genes encoding the T cell receptor (TCR) γ and δ chains was discovered. Here, we begin to address how the loss of γδ T cells may have impacted the evolution of the squamate immune system. Using the skink Tiliqua rugosa, we found that squamates have not significantly increased the complexity of conventional T cell receptor beta (TCRβ or TRB) chain V regions compared to that of the nearest living squamate relative, the tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus or other amniotes. Our analyses include a putative new TCR locus. This novel locus contains V, D, and J gene segments that undergo V(D)J recombination, albeit with a limited number of gene segments in most squamate species. Based on conserved residues, the predicted protein chain would be expected to form a heterodimer with TCRα. This new TCR locus appears to be derived from an ancient duplication of the TRB locus and is homologous to the recently described T cell receptor epsilon (TRE). TRE is absent from the genomes of the tuatara and all Archosaurs examined and appears squamate specific. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8553ff43233e449a905e3f5c674e54bb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-3224 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Immunology |
| spelling | doaj-art-8553ff43233e449a905e3f5c674e54bb2025-01-09T06:10:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-01-011510.3389/fimmu.2024.15244711524471Squamate reptiles may have compensated for the lack of γδTCR with a duplication of the TRB locusJordan M. Sampson0Kimberly A. Morrissey1Kieran J. Mikolajova2Kourtney M. Zimmerly3Neil J. Gemmell4Michael G. Gardner5Terry Bertozzi6Terry Bertozzi7Robert D. Miller8Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United StatesCenter for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United StatesCenter for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United StatesCenter for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United StatesDepartment of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New ZealandCollege of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaSouth Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaSchool of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaCenter for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United StatesSquamate reptiles are amongst the most successful terrestrial vertebrate lineages, with over 10,000 species across a broad range of ecosystems. Despite their success, squamates are also amongst the least studied lineages immunologically. Recently, a universal lack of γδ T cells in squamates due to deletions of the genes encoding the T cell receptor (TCR) γ and δ chains was discovered. Here, we begin to address how the loss of γδ T cells may have impacted the evolution of the squamate immune system. Using the skink Tiliqua rugosa, we found that squamates have not significantly increased the complexity of conventional T cell receptor beta (TCRβ or TRB) chain V regions compared to that of the nearest living squamate relative, the tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus or other amniotes. Our analyses include a putative new TCR locus. This novel locus contains V, D, and J gene segments that undergo V(D)J recombination, albeit with a limited number of gene segments in most squamate species. Based on conserved residues, the predicted protein chain would be expected to form a heterodimer with TCRα. This new TCR locus appears to be derived from an ancient duplication of the TRB locus and is homologous to the recently described T cell receptor epsilon (TRE). TRE is absent from the genomes of the tuatara and all Archosaurs examined and appears squamate specific.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1524471/fullsquamateT cellscomparative immunologygene lossgene duplication |
| spellingShingle | Jordan M. Sampson Kimberly A. Morrissey Kieran J. Mikolajova Kourtney M. Zimmerly Neil J. Gemmell Michael G. Gardner Terry Bertozzi Terry Bertozzi Robert D. Miller Squamate reptiles may have compensated for the lack of γδTCR with a duplication of the TRB locus Frontiers in Immunology squamate T cells comparative immunology gene loss gene duplication |
| title | Squamate reptiles may have compensated for the lack of γδTCR with a duplication of the TRB locus |
| title_full | Squamate reptiles may have compensated for the lack of γδTCR with a duplication of the TRB locus |
| title_fullStr | Squamate reptiles may have compensated for the lack of γδTCR with a duplication of the TRB locus |
| title_full_unstemmed | Squamate reptiles may have compensated for the lack of γδTCR with a duplication of the TRB locus |
| title_short | Squamate reptiles may have compensated for the lack of γδTCR with a duplication of the TRB locus |
| title_sort | squamate reptiles may have compensated for the lack of γδtcr with a duplication of the trb locus |
| topic | squamate T cells comparative immunology gene loss gene duplication |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1524471/full |
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