IMGT HighV-QUEST

IMGT HighV-QUEST analyzes high-throughput nucleotide sequences of immunoglobulin (IG) and T cell receptor (TR) variable domains from Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data to identify V, D, and J genes/alleles and characterize V-REGION mutations and junctions for immunogenetics research.

Key Features:

• High-throughput NGS processing: Processes thousands of sequences simultaneously to accommodate Next Generation Sequencing datasets.
• IMGT-ONTOLOGY integration: Applies IMGT-ONTOLOGY keywords, labels, nomenclature, unique numbering, and Colliers de Perles (numerotation) for standardized description and numbering.
• Junction analysis: Incorporates IMGT/JunctionAnalysis for detailed examination of V-J and V-D-J junctions and junctional diversity.
• Automated annotation: Uses IMGT/Automat to provide complete sequence annotation of IG and TR variable domains.
• Germline alignment: Identifies V, D, and J genes and alleles by alignment to germline sequences from the IMGT reference directory.
• V-REGION mutation characterization: Characterizes V-REGION mutations and pinpoints mutation hot spots relative to the closest germline V gene.
• Diversity mechanism analysis: Analyzes combinatorial gene rearrangements (V, D, J), N-diversity (random nucleotide additions or deletions), and somatic hypermutations in IG.
• Targets IG and TR variable domains: Specifically analyzes immunoglobulin and T cell receptor variable domain sequences for repertoire studies.

Scientific Applications:

• Basic immunogenetics research: Enables analysis of adaptive immune receptor repertoires and V-REGION mutation patterns.
• Medical research and clinical diagnostics: Supports mutation analysis in contexts such as leukemia and lymphoma.
• Antibody engineering and humanization: Informs antibody design, humanization, and development of therapeutic antibodies and fusion proteins.
• Veterinary studies: Applies repertoire and mutation analyses to non-human species in veterinary research.

Methodology:

Aligns input sequences to germline sequences from the IMGT reference directory to identify V, D, and J genes and alleles; performs IMGT/JunctionAnalysis for V-J and V-D-J junction examination; uses IMGT/Automat for complete sequence annotation; applies IMGT-ONTOLOGY (keywords, labels, nomenclature, unique numbering, Colliers de Perles) for standardized description; characterizes V-REGION mutations and pinpoints mutation hot spots relative to the closest germline V gene.