Immunoglobulins in Teleost

Abstract

Jawed vertebrate species (Gnathostomata) are all characterized by an adaptive immune system based on B and T cells along with the huge diversity and specificity of their antigen receptors, the immunoglobulins (IG) or antibodies and the T-cell receptors (TCRs), respectively. The availability of genome assemblies of many species has recently provided valuable information on the complexity and diversity of teleost germline IG loci. The development of deep sequencing technologies has also favored a growing interest for immunoglobulin repertoires, to address basic questions about immune mechanisms in teleost or applied concerns such as the identification of molecular markers of protection after vaccination. This work provides an overview on the germline configuration of teleost IG loci, IG repertoire studies, and recent findings on IG functional roles in this group of vertebrates.