Chromosomal location of structural genes encoding murine immunoglobulin λ light chains. Genetics of murine λ light chains

To determine the chromosomal localization of murine lambda light (L) chain structural genes, DNA from a panel of 11 mouse x hamster somatic cell hybrids was scored for the presence of sequences homologous to cloned lambda DNA probe molecules. Six of the hybrids had detectable lambda I and lambda II gene sequences. In all six, the full complement of murine sequences was present, and in its germline configuration. The remaining hybrids lacked any detectable murine lambda L chain gene sequences. The only mouse chromosome present in all of the positive hybrids and absent from the negative ones was number 16, allowing the assignment of lambda L chain structural genes to this chromosome. Together with the previous assignments of the kappa L chain genes to chromosome 6 and heavy chain genes to chromosome 12, this finding completes the mapping of Ig structural genes in the mouse at the chromosomal level.