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Biochemistry of V(D)J Recombination

  • Chapter
Molecular Analysis of B Lymphocyte Development and Activation

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology ((CT MICROBIOLOGY,volume 290))

Abstract

The genes that encode immunoglobulin and T cell receptor proteins are assembled from component gene segments in a reaction known as V(D)J recombination. The reaction, and its crucial mediators RAG1 and RAG2, are essential for lymphocyte development and hence for adaptive immunity. Here we consider the biochemistry of this reaction, focusing on the DNA transactions and the proteins involved. We discuss how the RAG proteins interact with DNA and how coordinate cleavage of the DNA at two sites might be achieved. Finally, we consider the RAG proteins and V(D)J recombination from an evolutionary point of view.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Immunobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, Box 208011, New Haven, CT, 06520-8011, USA

    D. G. Schatz

  2. Ruttenberg Cancer Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10029, USA

    E. Spanopoulou

Authors
  1. D. G. Schatz
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  2. E. Spanopoulou
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave. N112, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Harinder Singh

  2. Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Max-Plank-Institute of Immunobiology, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany

    Rudolf Grosschedl

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© 2005 Springer-Verlag

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Schatz, D.G., Spanopoulou, E. (2005). Biochemistry of V(D)J Recombination. In: Singh, H., Grosschedl, R. (eds) Molecular Analysis of B Lymphocyte Development and Activation. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, vol 290. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-26363-2_4

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