On the location of palindromes in immunoglobulin genes.

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Abstract
A statistical method is presented for detection of palindromes in mRNA or DNA, starting from the protein sequence. Analysis of immunoglobulin [Ig] genes by this method demonstrates that palindromic sequences are not randomly distributed. They are located at each side of the hypervariable regions in the variable (V) genes; no such regular design is observed in the constant (C) genes. Palindromic sequences overlap the V-C junction in all Ig classes and significant palindromes are present near residue 216 of the H chain, which is the end of deletions in many H chain diseases. The relevance of these palindromes to gene translocation and generation of diversity in antibodies is discussed.