Analysis of the T cell receptor (TcR) regions in the NOD, NON and CTS mouse strains define new TcR V alpha haplotypes and new deletions in the TcR V beta region.

Abstract

We have analyzed the T cell receptor (TcR) V alpha and TcR V beta regions in the spontaneous mouse model for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, the NOD mouse, and compared it to the regions in the two sister strains, the NON and CTS strains. Based on restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis the TcR V alpha region in the NOD mouse is essentially identical to that of the SJL/J strain. In contrast both the NON and CTS strains have a unique TcR V alpha haplotype. Whereas the NOD and NON strains apparently contains all the TcR V beta genes, the CTS mouse has three deletions in the V beta region. Our analysis does not give any indications for the diabetic phenotype of the NOD mouse.