Immunoglobulin heavy variable 3-38 (IGHV3-38)

Immunoglobulin heavy variable 3-38 (IGHV3-38) is a gene segment within the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus (IGH) on chromosome 14q32.33, involved in encoding the variable domain of immunoglobulin heavy chains[2][3]. IGHV3-38 is classified as a probable non-functional open reading frame (ORF), meaning it does not contribute to the synthesis of productive immunoglobulin chains due to alterations in its recombination, splicing sites, or protein sequence[3][4]. While variable immunoglobulin heavy chain genes are critical for the antigen-binding diversity of antibodies and thus the adaptive immune system, IGHV3-38 itself does not encode a functional antibody or receptor and is not a therapeutic target, receptor, enzyme, or druggable entity[3][4]. IGHV gene segments are highly polymorphic, often subject to copy number variants and population-specific structural variation[2][5]. The non-functional nature of IGHV3-38 precludes its involvement as a biomarker or direct disease modifier; instead, the gene is categorized among numerous pseudogenic or altered IGHV loci that collectively contribute to immunoglobulin locus genetic complexity[2][3][4][5].

Other names

IGHV338HV338 proteinProbable non-functional immunoglobulin heavy variable 3-38Immunoglobulin heavy chain variable regionimmunoglobulin heavy variable 3-38 (non-functional)

Not applicable (IGHV3-38 is not a functional protein and is not a drug target)