Immunoglobulin gene diversification

Three processes alter genomic sequence and structure at the immunoglobulin genes of B lymphocytes: gene conversion, somatic hypermutation, and class switch recombination. Though the molecular signatures of these processes differ, they occur by a shared pathway which is induced by targeted DNA deamin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of genetics 2005-01, Vol.39 (1), p.23-46
Main Author: Maizels, Nancy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antibody Diversity - genetics
Antibody Diversity - immunology
Cells
Cytidine Deaminase - metabolism
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
Genes
Genes, Immunoglobulin - genetics
Immunoglobulin Class Switching - genetics
Immunoglobulins
Immunology
Lymphocytes
Mutagenesis - genetics
Mutation
Pathogens
Proteins
Somatic Hypermutation, Immunoglobulin - genetics
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Summary:Three processes alter genomic sequence and structure at the immunoglobulin genes of B lymphocytes: gene conversion, somatic hypermutation, and class switch recombination. Though the molecular signatures of these processes differ, they occur by a shared pathway which is induced by targeted DNA deamination by a B cell-specific factor, activation induced cytidine deaminase (AID). Ubiquitous factors critical for DNA repair carry out all downstream steps, creating mutations and deletions in genomic DNA. This review focuses on the genetic and biochemical mechanisms of diversification of immunoglobulin genes.
ISSN:0066-4197
1545-2948
DOI:10.1146/annurev.genet.39.073003.110544