The mechanism of V(D)J joining: lessons from molecular, immunological, and comparative analyses

Circulating Biomarkers for Prediction of Immunotherapy Response in NSCLC

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes the majority of the lung cancer population and the prognosis is poor. In recent years, immunotherapy has become the standard of care for advanced NSCLC patients as numerous trials demonstrated that immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are more efficacious than conventional chemotherapy. However, only a minority of NSCLC patients benefit from this treatment. Therefore, there is an unmet need for biomarkers that could accurately predict response to immunotherapy. Liquid biopsy allows repeated sampling of blood-based biomarkers in a non-invasive manner for the dynamic monitoring of treatment response. In this review, we summarize the efforts and progress made in the identification of circulating biomarkers that predict immunotherapy benefit for NSCLC patients. We also discuss the challenges with future implementation of circulating biomarkers into clinical practice.

Non-Clinical Cell Therapy Development Using the NCG Mouse Model as a Test System

The NCG triple immunodeficient mice on a NOD/Nju background lack functional/mature T, B, and NK cells, and have reduced macrophage and dendritic cell function. This study characterized the NCG mouse model for toxicity, engraftment and tumorigenicity assessments of cell therapies, using CD34⁺ hHSPC adult mobilized cells with two myeloablation regimens.Mice received sub-lethal irradiation or busulfan and were then injected intravenously with CD34⁺ hHSPCs (1.0 x 106 cells/mouse) or PBS (control), while positive control animals received 2 x 106 HL-60 cells/mouse. hCD34+ cell donors were treated with the mobilizing agent G-CSF prior to leukapheresis. Following injections, mouse blood samples were collected to assess engraftment rates by flow cytometry with body weights recorded periodically up to 20 weeks post-cell injection. No significant clinical signs or body weight changes were observed. At week 10 post-cell injection, the peripheral blood chimerism of hCD45+ cells was above 20%. While mCD45+ concentration was constant between week 10 and 17 in whole blood samples, hCD45+ concentration and chimerism slightly decreased at week 17. However, chimerism remained above 10%, with busulfan-treated mice presenting higher values. Chimerism was further assessed by quantifying human Alu sequences in blood and multiple organs using qPCR. Alu sequences were most abundant in the spleen and bone marrow, while lowest in the testes. In the positive control group, expected mortalities due to tumorigenesis were observed between days 27 and 40 post-cell injection. Overall, study results may be used to inform study design and potential toxicological endpoints relevant to non-clinical cell therapy development.

Nonamer dependent RAG cleavage at CpGs can explain mechanism of chromosomal translocations associated to lymphoid cancers

Chromosomal translocations are considered as one of the major causes of lymphoid cancers. RAG complex, which is responsible for V(D)J recombination, can also cleave non-B DNA structures and cryptic RSSs in the genome leading to chromosomal translocations. The mechanism and factors regulating the illegitimate function of RAGs resulting in oncogenesis are largely unknown. Upon in silico analysis of 3760 chromosomal translocations from lymphoid cancer patients, we find that 93% of the translocation breakpoints possess adjacent cryptic nonamers (RAG binding sequences), of which 77% had CpGs in proximity. As a proof of principle, we show that RAGs can efficiently bind to cryptic nonamers present at multiple fragile regions and cleave at adjacent mismatches generated to mimic the deamination of CpGs. ChIP studies reveal that RAGs can indeed recognize these fragile sites on a chromatin context inside the cell. Finally, we show that AID, the cytidine deaminase, plays a significant role during the generation of mismatches at CpGs and reconstitute the process of RAG-dependent generation of DNA breaks both in vitro and inside the cells. Thus, we propose a novel mechanism for generation of chromosomal translocation, where RAGs bind to the cryptic nonamer sequences and direct cleavage at adjacent mismatch generated due to deamination of meCpGs or cytosines.

Structural insights into the evolution of the RAG recombinase

Adaptive immunity in jawed vertebrates relies on the assembly of antigen receptor genes by the recombination activating gene 1 (RAG1)-RAG2 (collectively RAG) recombinase in a reaction known as V(D)J recombination. Extensive biochemical and structural evidence indicates that RAG and V(D)J recombination evolved from the components of a RAG-like (RAGL) transposable element through a process known as transposon molecular domestication. This Review describes recent advances in our understanding of the functional and structural transitions that occurred during RAG evolution. We use the structures of RAG and RAGL enzymes to trace the evolutionary adaptations that yielded a RAG recombinase with exquisitely regulated cleavage activity and a multilayered array of mechanisms to suppress transposition. We describe how changes in modes of DNA binding, alterations in the dynamics of protein-DNA complexes, single amino acid mutations and a modular design likely enabled RAG family enzymes to survive and spread in the genomes of eukaryotes. These advances highlight the insight that can be gained from viewing evolution of vertebrate immunity through the lens of comparative genome analyses coupled with structural biology and biochemistry.

MiRAGDB: A Knowledgebase of RAG Regulators

RAG1 and RAG2 genes generate diversity in immunoglobulin and TCR genes by initiating the process of V-D-J recombination. RAGs recognize specific sequences (heptamer-nonamer) to generate a diversity of immunoglobulins. RAG expression is limited to early B and T cell developmental stages. Aberrant expression of RAG can lead to double strand breaks and translocations as observed in leukemia and lymphoma. The expression of RAG is tightly regulated at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that are involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. This study aimed to identify and catalog RAG regulation by miRNA during normal development and cancer. NGS data from normal B-cell and T-cell developmental stages and blood cancer samples have been analyzed for the expression of miRNAs against RAG1 (1,173 against human RAG1 and 749 against mouse RAG1). The analyzed data has been organized to retrieve the miRNA and mRNA expression of various RAG regulators (10 transcription factors and interacting partners) in normal and diseased states. The database allows users to navigate through the human and mouse RAG regulators, visualize and plot expression. miRAGDB is freely available and can be accessed at http://52.4.112.252/shiny/miragdb/.

Diversity upon diversity: linking DNA double-strand break repair to blood cancer health disparities

Chromosomal translocations arising from aberrant repair of multiple DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are a defining characteristic of many cancers. DSBs are an essential part of physiological processes in antibody-producing B cells. The B cell environment is poised to generate genome instability leading to translocations relevant to the pathology of blood cancers. These are a diverse set of cancers, but limited data from under-represented groups have pointed to health disparities associated with each. We focus on the DSBs that occur in developing B cells and propose the most likely mechanism behind the formation of translocations. We also highlight specific cancers in which these rearrangements occur and address the growing concern of health disparities associated with them.

T cell receptor revision and immune repertoire changes in autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune disease (AID) is a condition in which the immune system breaks down and starts to attack the body. Some common AIDs include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes mellitus and so forth. The changes in T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire have been found in several autoimmune diseases, and may be responsible for the breakdown of peripheral immune tolerance. In this review, we discussed the processes of TCR revision in peripheral immune environment, the changes in TCR repertoire that occurred in various AIDs, and the specifically expanded T cell clones. We hope our discussion can provide insights for the future studies, helping with the discovery of disease biomarkers and expanding the strategies of immune-targeted therapy. HighlightsRestricted TCR repertoire and biased TCR-usage are found in a variety of AIDs.TCR repertoire shows tissue specificity in a variety of AID diseases.The relationship between TCR repertoire diversity and disease activity is still controversial in AIDs.Dominant TCR clonotypes may help to discover new disease biomarkers and expand the strategies of immune-targeted therapy.

The Usage of Human IGHJ Genes Follows a Particular Non-random Selection: The Recombination Signal Sequence May Affect the Usage of Human IGHJ Genes

The formation of the B cell receptor (BCR) heavy chain variable region is derived from the germline V(D)J gene rearrangement according to the “12/23” rule and the “beyond 12/23” rule. The usage frequency of each V(D)J gene in the peripheral BCR repertoires is related to the initial recombination, self-tolerance selection, and the clonal proliferative response. However, their specific differences and possible mechanisms are still unknown. We analyzed in-frame and out-of-frame BCR-H repertoires from human samples with normal physiological and various pathological conditions by high-throughput sequencing. Our results showed that IGHJ gene frequency follows a similar pattern which is previously known, where IGHJ4 is used at high frequency (>40%), IGHJ6/IGHJ3/IGHJ5 is used at medium frequencies (10∼20%), and IGH2/IGHJ1 is used at low frequency (<4%) under whether normal physiological or various pathological conditions. However, our analysis of the recombination signal sequences suggested that the conserved non-amer and heptamer and certain 23 bp spacer length may affect the initial IGHD-IGHJ recombination, which results in different frequencies of IGHJ genes among the initial BCR-H repertoire. Based on this “initial repertoire,” we recommend that re-evaluation and further investigation are needed when analyzing the significance and mechanism of IGHJ gene frequency in self-tolerance selection and the clonal proliferative response.

Temporally uncoupled signal and coding joint formation in human V(D)J recombination

In vertebrate antigen receptor gene rearrangement, V(D)J recombination events can occur by deletion or by inversion. For deletional events, the signal joint is deleted from the genome. Nearly half of the immunoglobulin light chain genes undergo V(D)J recombination in an inversional manner, and both signal and coding joint formation must occur to retain chromosomal integrity. But given the undetermined amount of pre-B and pre-T cell death that occurs during V(D)J recombination, the efficiency with which both joints are completed is not known, nor is the relative efficiency (balance) of signal versus coding joint formation. Signal joint formation only requires Ku and XRCC4:DNA ligase 4 of the nonhomologous DNA end joining repair pathway. Coding joint formation requires these proteins as well, but in addition requires Artemis and DNA-dependent protein kinase to open the hairpin DNA coding ends, which the RAG complex generated; and further processing is required because the hairpin opening generates incompatible 3' overhangs. Mutations in some of the end processing enzymes affect one, but only minimally the other joint. We have devised a precise cellular assay that does not have any cellular, enzymatic or biochemical selective bias to assess signal and coding joint formation independently, and it can detect intermediates for which one joint has formed but not the other. We find that intermediates with only one completed joint are more abundant than molecules with both joints completed. This indicates that either joint can form independent of the other and joint formation can be a relatively slow process.

Liquid Biopsies to Evaluate Immunogenicity of Gynecological/Breast Tumors: On the Way to Blood-Based Biomarkers for Immunotherapies

BACKGROUND

Despite the assumption of breast cancer (BC) as a cold, non-immunogenic tumor, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is favorable for a subgroup of patients. Immunohistochemical assessment of the programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is the only approved companion diagnostic for anti-PD-L1 therapy in metastatic triple-negative BC; however, challenges regarding the standardization of PD-L1 scoring in tumor tissue still remain. Consequently, to select patients most likely to respond to ICI, blood-based biomarkers are urgently needed.

SUMMARY AND KEY MESSAGES

Liquid biopsy, comprising circulating immune cells, circulating tumor cells and extracellular vesicles, as well as their surface proteins, is of high potential, and these analytes were already shown to be molecular correlates or regulators of the evasion from antitumoral immune reaction. Liquid biopsy, also enabling the evaluation of tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability, and the T-cell receptor repertoire, allows serial sampling for monitoring purposes and reflects intra-tumoral heterogeneity which qualifies as marker for immunogenicity. Only a very few studies have already elucidated the potential of these analytes as biomarkers under ICI therapy. Nonetheless, the topic is of growing interest and has high relevance for the future. However, for clinical implementation, these multifarious analytes first need to pass robust standardization and validation procedures.

Structural basis for the activation and suppression of transposition during evolution of the RAG recombinase

Jawed vertebrate adaptive immunity relies on the RAG1/RAG2 (RAG) recombinase, a domesticated transposase, for assembly of antigen receptor genes. Using an integration-activated form of RAG1 with methionine at residue 848 and cryo-electron microscopy, we determined structures that capture RAG engaged with transposon ends and U-shaped target DNA prior to integration (the target capture complex) and two forms of the RAG strand transfer complex that differ based on whether target site DNA is annealed or dynamic. Target site DNA base unstacking, flipping, and melting by RAG1 methionine 848 explain how this residue activates transposition, how RAG can stabilize sharp bends in target DNA, and why replacement of residue 848 by arginine during RAG domestication led to suppression of transposition activity. RAG2 extends a jawed vertebrate-specific loop to interact with target site DNA, and functional assays demonstrate that this loop represents another evolutionary adaptation acquired during RAG domestication to inhibit transposition. Our findings identify mechanistic principles of the final step in cut-and-paste transposition and the molecular and structural logic underlying the transformation of RAG from transposase to recombinase.

Severe combined immunodeficiency pig as an emerging animal model for human diseases and regenerative medicines

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a group of inherited disorders characterized by compromised T lymphocyte differentiation related to abnormal development of other lymphocytes [i.e., B and/or natural killer (NK) cells], leading to death early in life unless treated immediately with hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Functional NK cells may impact engraftment success of life-saving procedures such as bone marrow transplantation in human SCID patients. Therefore, in animal models, a T cell−/B cell−/NK cell+ environment provides a valuable tool for understanding the function of the innate immune system and for developing targeted NK therapies against human immune diseases. In this review, we focus on underlying mechanisms of human SCID, recent progress in the development of SCID animal models, and utilization of SCID pig model in biomedical sciences. Numerous physiologies in pig are comparable to those in human such as immune system, X-linked heritability, typical T−B+NK− cellular phenotype, and anatomy. Due to analogous features of pig to those of human, studies have found that immunodeficient pig is the most appropriate model for human SCID.

The evolution of zebrafish RAG2 protein is required for adapting to the elevated body temperature of the higher endothermic vertebrates

The recombination activating gene (RAG or RAG1/RAG2 complex)-mediated adaptive immune system is a hallmark of jawed vertebrates. It has been reported that RAG originated in invertebrates. However, whether RAG further evolved once it arose in jawed vertebrates remains largely unknown. Here, we found that zebrafish RAG (zRAG) had a lower activity than mouse RAG (mRAG). Intriguingly, the attenuated stability of zebrafish RAG2 (zRAG2), but not zebrafish RAG1, caused the reduced V(D)J recombination efficiency compared to mRAG at 37 °C which are the body temperature of most endotherms except birds. Importantly, the lower temperature 28 °C, which is the best temperature for zebrafish growth, made the recombination efficiency of zRAG similar to that of mRAG by improving the stability of zRAG2. Consistent with the prementioned observation, the V(D)J recombination of Rag2^KI/KI mice, which zRAG2 was substituted for mRAG2, was also severely impaired. Unexpectedly, Rag2^KI/KI mice developed cachexia syndromes accompanied by premature death. Taken together, our findings illustrate that the evolution of zebrafish RAG2 protein is required for adapting to the elevated body temperature of the higher endothermic vertebrates.

Cutting antiparallel DNA strands in a single active site

A single enzyme active site that catalyzes multiple reactions is a well-established biochemical theme, but how one nuclease site cleaves both DNA strands of a double helix has not been well understood. In analyzing site-specific DNA cleavage by the mammalian RAG1-RAG2 recombinase, which initiates V(D)J recombination, we find that the active site is reconfigured for the two consecutive reactions and the DNA double helix adopts drastically different structures. For initial nicking of the DNA, a locally unwound and unpaired DNA duplex forms a zipper via alternating interstrand base stacking, rather than melting as generally thought. The second strand cleavage and formation of a hairpin-DNA product requires a global scissor-like movement of protein and DNA, delivering the scissile phosphate into the rearranged active site.

How mouse RAG recombinase avoids DNA transposition

The RAG1-RAG2 recombinase (RAG) cleaves DNA to initiate V(D)J recombination. But RAG also belongs to the RNH-type transposase family. To learn how RAG-catalyzed transposition is inhibited in developing lymphocytes, we determined the structure of a DNA strand-transfer complex of mouse RAG at 3.1 Å resolution. The target DNA is a T form (T for transpositional target), which contains two >80° kinks towards the minor groove, only 3 bp apart. RAG2, a late evolutionary addition in V(D)J recombination, appears to enforce the sharp kinks and additional inter-segment twisting in target DNA and thus attenuate unwanted transposition. In contrast to strand-transfer complexes of genuine transposases, where severe kinks occur at the integration sites of target DNA and thus prevent the reverse reaction, the sharp kink with RAG is 1 bp away from the integration site. As a result, RAG efficiently catalyzes the disintegration reaction that restores the RSS (donor) and target DNA.

Germline DNA Retention in Murine and Human Rearranged T Cell Receptor Gene Coding Joints: Alternative Recombination Signal Sequences and V(D)J Recombinase Errors

The genes coding for the antigenic T cell receptor (TR) subunits are assembled in thymocytes from discrete V, D, and J genes by a site-specific recombination process. A tight control of this activity is required to prevent potentially detrimental recombination events. V, D, and J genes are flanked by semi-conserved nucleotide motives called recombination signal sequences (RSSs). V(D)J recombination is initiated by the precise introduction of a DNA double-strand break exactly at the border of the genes and their RSSs by the RAG recombinase. RSSs are therefore physically separated from the coding region of the genes before assembly of a rearranged TR gene. During a high throughput profiling of TRB genes in mice, we identified rearranged TRB genes in which part or all of a flanking RSS was retained in V-D or D-J coding joints. In some instances, this retention of germline DNA resulted from the use of an upstream alternative RSS. However, we also identified TRB sequences where retention of germline DNA occurred in the absence of alternative RSS, suggesting that RAG activity was mis-targeted during recombination. Similar events were also identified in human rearranged TRB and TRG genes. The use of alternative RSSs during V(D)J recombination illustrates the complexity of RAG-RSSs interactions during V(D)J recombination. While the frequency of errors resulting from mis-targeted RAG activity is very low, we believe that these RAG errors may be at the origin of oncogenic translocations and are a threat for genetic stability in developing lymphocytes.

Liquid biopsy in the era of immuno-oncology: is it ready for prime-time use for cancer patients?

The emergence of immunotherapy in oncology requires the discovery, validation and subsequent adoption of robust, sensitive and specific predictive and prognostic biomarkers for daily practice. Until now, anti-PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) on tissue sections has been the only validated companion diagnostic test for first-line immunotherapy for advanced and metastatic cancer, notably non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, detection of this biomarker presents limitations that have stimulated the development of other biomarkers and other approaches. Within this context, the use of a liquid biopsy (LB) could provide an important complementary or alternative added value to PD-L1 IHC. In this review, we discuss how LBs have been used in the field of immuno-oncology (I-O) to predict response, relapse or adverse advents for patients undergoing immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy (anti-PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4) and we highlight recent developments. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), proteins and cytokines detected in plasma as well as circulating T-lymphocytes are discussed as potential sources for developing new I-O biomarkers. The quantification of cfDNA as a predictive biomarker, as well as its sequencing for the determination of tumor mutational burden, is already well advanced. Additionally, the quantification of PD-L1 from CTCs, bound on exosomes or free in plasma, as well as the determination of cytokines, are also being actively investigated with promising results having recently been published. Lastly, analysis of T-lymphocytes, especially by analyzing the T-cell receptor, has recently emerged as a valuable biomarker that might become relevant for the prediction of response to ICIs. While LBs have not yet been implemented in routine I-O clinical practice, recent promising data and rapidly advancing technologies indicate that this approach has the potential to soon personalize the clinical management of cancer patients receiving ICIs.

Transposon molecular domestication and the evolution of the RAG recombinase

Domestication of a transposon (a DNA sequence that can change its position in a genome) to give rise to the RAG1-RAG2 recombinase (RAG) and V(D)J recombination, which produces the diverse repertoire of antibodies and T cell receptors, was a pivotal event in the evolution of the adaptive immune system of jawed vertebrates. The evolutionary adaptations that transformed the ancestral RAG transposase into a RAG recombinase with appropriately regulated DNA cleavage and transposition activities are not understood. Here, beginning with cryo-electron microscopy structures of the amphioxus ProtoRAG transposase (an evolutionary relative of RAG), we identify amino acid residues and domains the acquisition or loss of which underpins the propensity of RAG for coupled cleavage, its preference for asymmetric DNA substrates and its inability to perform transposition in cells. In particular, we identify two adaptations specific to jawed-vertebrates-arginine 848 in RAG1 and an acidic region in RAG2-that together suppress RAG-mediated transposition more than 1,000-fold. Our findings reveal a two-tiered mechanism for the suppression of RAG-mediated transposition, illuminate the evolution of V(D)J recombination and provide insight into the principles that govern the molecular domestication of transposons.

WITHDRAWN: T cell receptor revision and immune repertoire changes in autoimmune diseases

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal.

Physiological Roles of DNA Double-Strand Breaks

Genomic integrity is constantly threatened by sources of DNA damage, internal and external alike. Among the most cytotoxic lesions is the DNA double-strand break (DSB) which arises from the cleavage of both strands of the double helix. Cells boast a considerable set of defences to both prevent and repair these breaks and drugs which derail these processes represent an important category of anticancer therapeutics. And yet, bizarrely, cells deploy this very machinery for the intentional and calculated disruption of genomic integrity, harnessing potentially destructive DSBs in delicate genetic transactions. Under tight spatiotemporal regulation, DSBs serve as a tool for genetic modification, widely used across cellular biology to generate diverse functionalities, ranging from the fundamental upkeep of DNA replication, transcription, and the chromatin landscape to the diversification of immunity and the germline. Growing evidence points to a role of aberrant DSB physiology in human disease and an understanding of these processes may both inform the design of new therapeutic strategies and reduce off-target effects of existing drugs. Here, we review the wide-ranging roles of physiological DSBs and the emerging network of their multilateral regulation to consider how the cell is able to harness DNA breaks as a critical biochemical tool.

HIV integrase inhibitor, Elvitegravir, impairs RAG functions and inhibits V(D)J recombination

Integrase inhibitors are a class of antiretroviral drugs used for the treatment of AIDS that target HIV integrase, an enzyme responsible for integration of viral cDNA into host genome. RAG1, a critical enzyme involved in V(D)J recombination exhibits structural similarity to HIV integrase. We find that two integrase inhibitors, Raltegravir and Elvitegravir, interfered with the physiological functions of RAGs such as binding, cleavage and hairpin formation at the recombination signal sequence (RSS), though the effect of Raltegravir was limited. Circular dichroism studies demonstrated a distinct change in the secondary structure of RAG1 central domain (RAG1 shares DDE motif amino acids with integrases), and when incubated with Elvitegravir, an equilibrium dissociation constant (K_d) of 32.53±2.9 μM was determined by Biolayer interferometry, leading to inhibition of its binding to DNA. Besides, using extrachromosomal assays, we show that Elvitegravir inhibited both coding and signal joint formation in pre-B cells. Importantly, treatment with Elvitegravir resulted in significant reduction of mature B lymphocytes in 70% of mice studied. Thus, our study suggests a potential risk associated with the use of Elvitegravir as an antiretroviral drug, considering the evolutionary and structural similarities between HIV integrase and RAGs.

RAG Recombinase as a Selective Pressure for Genome Evolution

The RAG recombinase is a domesticated transposable element co-opted in jawed vertebrates to drive the process of the so-called V(D)J recombination, which is the hallmark of the adaptive immune system to produce antigen receptors. RAG targets, namely, the Recombination Signal Sequences (RSS), are rather long and degenerated sequences, which highlights the ability of the recombinase to interact with a wide range of target sequences, including outside of antigen receptor loci. The recognition of such cryptic targets by the recombinase threatens genome integrity by promoting aberrant DNA recombination, as observed in lymphoid malignancies. Genomes evolution resulting from RAG acquisition is an ongoing discussion, in particular regarding the counter-selection of sequences resembling the RSS and the modifications of epigenetic regulation at these potential cryptic sites. Here, we describe a new bioinformatics tool to map potential RAG targets in all jawed vertebrates. We show that our REcombination Classifier (REC) outperforms the currently available tool and is suitable for full genomes scans from species other than human and mouse. Using the REC, we document a reduction in density of potential RAG targets at the transcription start sites of genes co-expressed with the rag genes and marked with high levels of the trimethylation of the lysine 4 of the histone 3 (H3K4me3), which correlates with the retention of functional RAG activity after the horizontal transfer.

MEF2C protects bone marrow B-lymphoid progenitors during stress haematopoiesis

DNA double strand break (DSB) repair is critical for generation of B-cell receptors, which are pre-requisite for B-cell progenitor survival. However, the transcription factors that promote DSB repair in B cells are not known. Here we show that MEF2C enhances the expression of DNA repair and recombination factors in B-cell progenitors, promoting DSB repair, V(D)J recombination and cell survival. Although Mef2c-deficient mice maintain relatively intact peripheral B-lymphoid cellularity during homeostasis, they exhibit poor B-lymphoid recovery after sub-lethal irradiation and 5-fluorouracil injection. MEF2C binds active regulatory regions with high-chromatin accessibility in DNA repair and V(D)J genes in both mouse B-cell progenitors and human B lymphoblasts. Loss of Mef2c in pre-B cells reduces chromatin accessibility in multiple regulatory regions of the MEF2C-activated genes. MEF2C therefore protects B lymphopoiesis during stress by ensuring proper expression of genes that encode DNA repair and B-cell factors.

Generation and characterization of RAG2 knockout pigs as animal model for severe combined immunodeficiency

Pigs with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) are versatile animal models for human medical research because of their biological similarities to humans, suitable body size, and longevity for practical research. SCID pigs with defined mutation(s) can be an invaluable tool for research on porcine immunity. In this study, we produced RAG2-knockout pigs via somatic cell nuclear transfer and analyzed their phenotype. The V(D)J recombination processes were confirmed as being inactivated. They consistently lacked mature T and B cells but had substantial numbers of cells considered to be T- or B-cell progenitors as well as NK cells. They also lacked thymic medulla and lymphoid aggregations in the spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, and ileal Peyer's patches. We showed more severe immunological defects in the RAG2 and IL2RG double-knockout pig through this study. Thus, SCID pigs could be promising animal models not only for translational medical research but also for immunological studies of pigs themselves.

Discovery of an Active RAG Transposon Illuminates the Origins of V(D)J Recombination

Co-option of RAG1 and RAG2 for antigen receptor gene assembly by V(D)J recombination was a crucial event in the evolution of jawed vertebrate adaptive immunity. RAG1/2 are proposed to have arisen from a transposable element, but definitive evidence for this is lacking. Here, we report the discovery of ProtoRAG, a DNA transposon family from lancelets, the most basal extant chordates. A typical ProtoRAG is flanked by 5-bp target site duplications and a pair of terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) resembling V(D)J recombination signal sequences. Between the TIRs reside tail-to-tail-oriented, intron-containing RAG1-like and RAG2-like genes. We demonstrate that ProtoRAG was recently active in the lancelet germline and that the lancelet RAG1/2-like proteins can mediate TIR-dependent transposon excision, host DNA recombination, transposition, and low-efficiency TIR rejoining using reaction mechanisms similar to those used by vertebrate RAGs. We propose that ProtoRAG represents a molecular "living fossil" of the long-sought RAG transposon.

V(D)J Recombination: Mechanism, Errors, and Fidelity

V(D)J recombination, the mechanism responsible for generating antigen receptor diversity, has the potential to generate aberrant DNA rearrangements in developing lymphocytes. Indeed, the recombinase has been implicated in several different kinds of errors leading to oncogenic transformation. Here we review the basic aspects of V(D)J recombination, mechanisms underlying aberrant DNA rearrangements, and the types of aberrant events uncovered in recent genomewide analyses of lymphoid neoplasms.

Methylation of CpG sites in BCL2 major breakpoint region and the increase of BCL2/JH translocation with aging

The BCL2 breakage mechanism has been shown to be highly dependent on DNA methylation at the major breakpoint region (MBR) CpG sites. We recently described an increased frequency of BCL2/ JH translocation with aging. It is known that methylation levels change with aging. The present study aimed to determine whether methylation alterations at CpG sites of BCL2 MBR were the cause of increased breakages with aging. We analyzed the methylation levels of three CpG sites on the region by pyrosequencing and studied if methylation levels and/or polymorphisms affecting CpG sites were associated with an increase of translocations. We observed that although the methylation levels of MBR CpG sites were higher in individuals with BCL2/JH translocation, in contrast to our expectations, these levels decreased with the age. Moreover, we show that polymorphisms at those CpG sites leading to absence of methylation seem to be a protective factor for the apparition of translocations.

Recruitment of RAG1 and RAG2 to Chromatinized DNA during V(D)J Recombination

V(D)J recombination is initiated by the binding of the RAG1 and RAG2 proteins to recombination signal sequences (RSSs) that consist of conserved heptamer and nonamer sequences separated by a spacer of either 12 or 23 bp. Here, we used RAG-inducible pro-B v-Abl cell lines in conjunction with chromatin immunoprecipitation to better understand the protein and RSS requirements for RAG recruitment to chromatin. Using a catalytic mutant form of RAG1 to prevent recombination, we did not observe cooperation between RAG1 and RAG2 in their recruitment to endogenous Jκ gene segments over a 48-h time course. Using retroviral recombination substrates, we found that RAG1 was recruited inefficiently to substrates lacking an RSS or containing a single RSS, better to substrates with two 12-bp RSSs (12RSSs) or two 23-bp RSSs (23RSSs), and more efficiently to a substrate with a 12/23RSS pair. RSS mutagenesis demonstrated a major role for the nonamer element in RAG1 binding, and correspondingly, a cryptic RSS consisting of a repeat of CA dinucleotides, which poorly re-creates the nonamer, was ineffective in recruiting RAG1. Our findings suggest that 12RSS-23RSS cooperation (the "12/23 rule") is important not only for regulating RAG-mediated DNA cleavage but also for the efficiency of RAG recruitment to chromatin.

Regulation and Evolution of the RAG Recombinase

The modular, noncontiguous architecture of the antigen receptor genes necessitates their assembly through V(D)J recombination. This program of DNA breakage and rejoining occurs during early lymphocyte development, and depends on the RAG1 and RAG2 proteins, whose collaborative endonuclease activity targets specific DNA motifs enriched in the antigen receptor loci. This essential gene shuffling reaction requires lymphocytes to traverse several developmental stages wherein DNA breakage is tolerated, while minimizing the expense to overall genome integrity. Thus, RAG activity is subject to stringent temporal and spatial regulation. The RAG proteins themselves also contribute autoregulatory properties that coordinate their DNA cleavage activity with target chromatin structure, cell cycle status, and DNA repair pathways. Even so, lapses in regulatory restriction of RAG activity are apparent in the aberrant V(D)J recombination events that underlie many lymphomas. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the RAG endonuclease, its widespread binding in the lymphocyte genome, its noncleavage activities that restrain its enzymatic potential, and the growing evidence of its evolution from an ancient transposase.

Role of RAG1 autoubiquitination in V(D)J recombination

The variable domains of Ig and T-cell receptor genes in vertebrates are assembled from gene fragments by the V(D)J recombination process. The RAG1-RAG2 recombinase (RAG1/2) initiates this recombination by cutting DNA at the borders of recombination signal sequences (RSS) and their neighboring gene segments. The RAG1 protein is also known to contain a ubiquitin E3 ligase activity, located in an N-terminal region that is not strictly required for the basic recombination reaction but helps to regulate recombination. The isolated E3 ligase domain was earlier shown to ubiquitinate one site in a neighboring RAG1 sequence. Here we show that autoubiquitination of full-length RAG1 at this specific residue (K233) results in a large increase of DNA cleavage by RAG1/2. A mutational block of the ubiquitination site abolishes this effect and inhibits recombination of a test substrate in mouse cells. Thus, ubiquitination of RAG1, which can be promoted by RAG1's own ubiquitin ligase activity, plays a significant role in governing the level of V(D)J recombination activity.

Functional analyses of polymorphic variants of human terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase

Human terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (hTdT) is a DNA polymerase that functions to generate diversity in the adaptive immune system. Here, we focus on the function of naturally occurring single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of hTdT to evaluate their role in genetic-generated immune variation. The data demonstrate that the genetic variations generated by the hTdT SNPs will vary the human immune repertoire and thus its responses. Human TdT catalyzes template-independent addition of nucleotides (N-additions) during coding joint formation in V(D)J recombination. Its activity is crucial to the diversity of the antigen receptors of B and T lymphocytes. We used in vitro polymerase assays and in vivo human cell V(D)J recombination assays to evaluate the activity and the N-addition levels of six natural (SNP) variants of hTdT. In vitro, the variants differed from wild-type hTdT in polymerization ability with four having significantly lower activity. In vivo, the presence of TdT varied both the efficiency of recombination and N-addition, with two variants generating coding joints with significantly fewer N-additions. Although likely heterozygous, individuals possessing these genetic changes may have less diverse B- and T-cell receptors that would particularly effect individuals prone to adaptive immune disorders, including autoimmunity.

Snaps and mends: DNA breaks and chromosomal translocations

Integrity in entirety is the preferred state of any organism. The temporal and spatial integrity of the genome ensures continued survival of a cell. DNA breakage is the first step towards creation of chromosomal translocations. In this review, we highlight the factors contributing towards the breakage of chromosomal DNA. It has been well-established that the structure and sequence of DNA play a critical role in selective fragility of the genome. Several non-B-DNA structures such as Z-DNA, cruciform DNA, G-quadruplexes, R loops and triplexes have been implicated in generation of genomic fragility leading to translocations. Similarly, specific sequences targeted by proteins such as Recombination Activating Genes and Activation Induced Cytidine Deaminase are involved in translocations. Processes that ensure the integrity of the genome through repair may lead to persistence of breakage and eventually translocations if their actions are anomalous. An insufficient supply of nucleotides and chromatin architecture may also play a critical role. This review focuses on a range of events with the potential to threaten the genomic integrity of a cell, leading to cancer.

Assembly Pathway and Characterization of the RAG1/2-DNA Paired and Signal-end Complexes

Mammalian immune receptor diversity is established via a unique restricted set of site-specific DNA rearrangements in lymphoid cells, known as V(D)J recombination. The lymphoid-specific RAG1-RAG2 protein complex (RAG1/2) initiates this process by binding to two types of recombination signal sequences (RSS), 12RSS and 23RSS, and cleaving at the boundaries of RSS and V, D, or J gene segments, which are to be assembled into immunoglobulins and T-cell receptors. Here we dissect the ordered assembly of the RAG1/2 heterotetramer with 12RSS and 23RSS DNAs. We find that RAG1/2 binds only a single 12RSS or 23RSS and reserves the second DNA-binding site specifically for the complementary RSS, to form a paired complex that reflects the known 12/23 rule of V(D)J recombination. The assembled RAG1/2 paired complex is active in the presence of Mg(2+), the physiologically relevant metal ion, in nicking and double-strand cleavage of both RSS DNAs to produce a signal-end complex. We report here the purification and initial crystallization of the RAG1/2 signal-end complex for atomic-resolution structure elucidation. Strict pairing of the 12RSS and 23RSS at the binding step, together with information from the crystal structure of RAG1/2, leads to a molecular explanation of the 12/23 rule.

Single-molecule analysis of RAG-mediated V(D)J DNA cleavage

The recombination-activating gene products, RAG1 and RAG2, initiate V(D)J recombination during lymphocyte development by cleaving DNA adjacent to conserved recombination signal sequences (RSSs). The reaction involves DNA binding, synapsis, and cleavage at two RSSs located on the same DNA molecule and results in the assembly of antigen receptor genes. We have developed single-molecule assays to examine RSS binding by RAG1/2 and their cofactor high-mobility group-box protein 1 (HMGB1) as they proceed through the steps of this reaction. These assays allowed us to observe in real time the individual molecular events of RAG-mediated cleavage. As a result, we are able to measure the binding statistics (dwell times) and binding energies of the initial RAG binding events and characterize synapse formation at the single-molecule level, yielding insights into the distribution of dwell times in the paired complex and the propensity for cleavage on forming the synapse. Interestingly, we find that the synaptic complex has a mean lifetime of roughly 400 s and that its formation is readily reversible, with only ∼40% of observed synapses resulting in cleavage at consensus RSS binding sites.

Crystal structure of the V(D)J recombinase RAG1-RAG2

V(D)J recombination in the vertebrate immune system generates a highly diverse population of immunoglobulins and T-cell receptors by combinatorial joining of segments of coding DNA. The RAG1-RAG2 protein complex initiates this site-specific recombination by cutting DNA at specific sites flanking the coding segments. Here we report the crystal structure of the mouse RAG1-RAG2 complex at 3.2 Å resolution. The 230-kilodalton RAG1-RAG2 heterotetramer is 'Y-shaped', with the amino-terminal domains of the two RAG1 chains forming an intertwined stalk. Each RAG1-RAG2 heterodimer composes one arm of the 'Y', with the active site in the middle and RAG2 at its tip. The RAG1-RAG2 structure rationalizes more than 60 mutations identified in immunodeficient patients, as well as a large body of genetic and biochemical data. The architectural similarity between RAG1 and the hairpin-forming transposases Hermes and Tn5 suggests the evolutionary conservation of these DNA rearrangements.

Structure-specific nuclease activity of RAGs is modulated by sequence, length and phase position of flanking double-stranded DNA

RAGs (recombination activating genes) are responsible for the generation of antigen receptor diversity through the process of combinatorial joining of different V (variable), D (diversity) and J (joining) gene segments. In addition to its physiological property, wherein RAG functions as a sequence-specific nuclease, it can also act as a structure-specific nuclease leading to genomic instability and cancer. In the present study, we investigate the factors that regulate RAG cleavage on non-B DNA structures. We find that RAG binding and cleavage on heteroduplex DNA is dependent on the length of the double-stranded flanking region. Besides, the immediate flanking double-stranded region regulates RAG activity in a sequence-dependent manner. Interestingly, the cleavage efficiency of RAGs at the heteroduplex region is influenced by the phasing of DNA. Thus, our results suggest that sequence, length and phase positions of the DNA can affect the efficiency of RAG cleavage when it acts as a structure-specific nuclease. These findings provide novel insights on the regulation of the pathological functions of RAGs.

Accumulation of VH Replacement Products in IgH Genes Derived from Autoimmune Diseases and Anti-Viral Responses in Human

V_H replacement refers to RAG-mediated secondary recombination of the IgH genes, which renews almost the entire V_H gene coding region but retains a short stretch of nucleotides as a V_H replacement footprint at the newly generated V_H–D_H junction. To explore the biological significance of V_H replacement to the antibody repertoire, we developed a Java-based V_H replacement footprint analyzer program and analyzed the distribution of V_H replacement products in 61,851 human IgH gene sequences downloaded from the NCBI database. The initial assignment of the V_H, D_H, and J_H gene segments provided a comprehensive view of the human IgH repertoire. To our interest, the overall frequency of V_H replacement products is 12.1%; the frequencies of V_H replacement products in IgH genes using different V_H germline genes vary significantly. Importantly, the frequencies of V_H replacement products are significantly elevated in IgH genes derived from different autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and allergic rhinitis, and in IgH genes encoding various autoantibodies or anti-viral antibodies. The identified V_H replacement footprints preferentially encoded charged amino acids to elongate IgH CDR3 regions, which may contribute to their autoreactivities or anti-viral functions. Analyses of the mutation status of the identified V_H replacement products suggested that they had been actively involved in immune responses. These results provide a global view of the distribution of V_H replacement products in human IgH genes, especially in IgH genes derived from autoimmune diseases and anti-viral immune responses.

Illegitimate V(D)J recombination-mediated deletions in Notch1 and Bcl11b are not sufficient for extensive clonal expansion and show minimal age or sex bias in frequency or junctional processing

Illegitimate V(D)J recombination at oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes is implicated in formation of several T cell malignancies. Notch1 and Bcl11b, genes involved in developing T cell specification, selection, proliferation, and survival, were previously shown to contain hotspots for deletional illegitimate V(D)J recombination associated with radiation-induced thymic lymphoma. Interestingly, these deletions were also observed in wild-type animals. In this study, we conducted frequency, clonality, and junctional processing analyses of Notch1 and Bcl11b deletions during mouse development and compared results to published analyses of authentic V(D)J rearrangements at the T cell receptor beta (TCRβ) locus and illegitimate V(D)J deletions observed at the human, nonimmune HPRT1 locus not involved in T cell malignancies. We detect deletions in Notch1 and Bcl11b in thymic and splenic T cell populations, consistent with cells bearing deletions in the circulating lymphocyte pool. Deletions in thymus can occur in utero, increase in frequency between fetal and postnatal stages, are detected at all ages examined between fetal and 7 months, exhibit only limited clonality (contrasting with previous results in radiation-sensitive mouse strains), and consistent with previous reports are more frequent in Bcl11b, partially explained by relatively high Recombination Signal Information Content (RIC) scores. Deletion junctions in Bcl11b exhibit greater germline nucleotide loss, while in Notch1 palindromic (P) nucleotides are more abundant, although average P nucleotide length is similar for both genes and consistent with results at the TCRβ locus. Non-templated (N) nucleotide insertions appear to increase between fetal and postnatal stages for Notch1, consistent with normal terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) activity; however, neonatal Bcl11b junctions contain elevated levels of N insertions. Finally, contrasting with results at the HPRT1 locus, we find no obvious age or gender bias in junctional processing, and inverted repeats at recessed coding ends (Pr nucleotides) correspond mostly to single-base additions consistent with normal TdT activity.

VH Replacement Footprint Analyzer-I, a Java-Based Computer Program for Analyses of Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Genes and Potential VH Replacement Products in Human and Mouse

V_H replacement occurs through RAG-mediated secondary recombination between a rearranged V_H gene and an upstream unrearranged V_H gene. Due to the location of the cryptic recombination signal sequence (cRSS, TACTGTG) at the 3′ end of V_H gene coding region, a short stretch of nucleotides from the previous rearranged V_H gene can be retained in the newly formed V_H–D_H junction as a “footprint” of V_H replacement. Such footprints can be used as markers to identify Ig heavy chain (IgH) genes potentially generated through V_H replacement. To explore the contribution of V_H replacement products to the antibody repertoire, we developed a Java-based computer program, V_H replacement footprint analyzer-I (V_HRFA-I), to analyze published or newly obtained IgH genes from human or mouse. The V_HRFA-1 program has multiple functional modules: it first uses service provided by the IMGT/V-QUEST program to assign potential V_H, D_H, and J_H germline genes; then, it searches for V_H replacement footprint motifs within the V_H–D_H junction (N1) regions of IgH gene sequences to identify potential V_H replacement products; it can also analyze the frequencies of V_H replacement products in correlation with publications, keywords, or V_H, D_H, and J_H gene usages, and mutation status; it can further analyze the amino acid usages encoded by the identified V_H replacement footprints. In summary, this program provides a useful computation tool for exploring the biological significance of V_H replacement products in human and mouse.

An amphioxus RAG1-like DNA fragment encodes a functional central domain of vertebrate core RAG1

The highly diversified repertoire of antigen receptors in the vertebrate immune system is generated via proteins encoded by the recombination activating genes (RAGs) RAG1 and RAG2 by a process known as variable, diversity, and joining [V(D)J] gene recombination. Based on the study of vertebrate RAG proteins, many hypotheses have been proposed regarding the origin and evolution of RAG. This issue remains unresolved, leaving a significant gap in our understanding of the evolution of adaptive immunity. Here, we show that the amphioxus genome contains an ancient RAG1-like DNA fragment (bfRAG1L) that encodes a virus-related protein that is much shorter than vertebrate RAG1 and harbors a region homologous to the central domain of core RAG1 (cRAG1). bfRAG1L also contains an unexpected retroviral type II nuclease active site motif, DXN(D/E)XK, and is capable of degrading both DNA and RNA. Moreover, bfRAG1L shares important functional properties with the central domain of cRAG1, including interaction with RAG2 and localization to the nucleus. Remarkably, the reconstitution of bfRAG1L into a cRAG1-like protein yielded an enzyme capable of recognizing recombination signal sequences and performing V(D)J recombination in the presence of mouse RAG2. Moreover, this reconstituted cRAG1-like protein could mediate the assembly of antigen receptor genes in RAG1-deficient mice. Together, our results demonstrate that amphioxus bfRAG1L encodes a protein that is functionally equivalent to the central domain of cRAG1 and is well prepared for further evolution to mediate V(D)J recombination. Thus, our findings provide unique insights into the evolutionary origin of RAG1.

Two sequential cleavage reactions on cruciform DNA structures cause palindrome-mediated chromosomal translocations

Gross chromosomal rearrangements (GCRs), such as translocations, deletions or inversions, are often generated by illegitimate repair between two DNA breakages at regions with nucleotide sequences that might potentially adopt a non-B DNA conformation. We previously established a plasmid-based model system that recapitulates palindrome-mediated recurrent chromosomal translocations in humans, and demonstrated that cruciform DNA conformation is required for the translocation-like rearrangements. Here we show that two sequential reactions that cleave the cruciform structures give rise to the translocation: GEN1-mediated resolution that cleaves diagonally at the four-way junction of the cruciform and Artemis-mediated opening of the subsequently formed hairpin ends. Indeed, translocation products in human sperm reveal the remnants of this two-step mechanism. These two intrinsic pathways that normally fulfil vital functions independently, Holliday-junction resolution in homologous recombination and coding joint formation in rearrangement of antigen-receptor genes, act upon the unusual DNA conformation in concert and lead to a subset of recurrent GCRs in humans.

Regulation of VH replacement by B cell receptor-mediated signaling in human immature B cells

VH replacement provides a unique RAG-mediated recombination mechanism to edit nonfunctional IgH genes or IgH genes encoding self-reactive BCRs and contributes to the diversification of Ab repertoire in the mouse and human. Currently, it is not clear how VH replacement is regulated during early B lineage cell development. In this article, we show that cross-linking BCRs induces VH replacement in human EU12 μHC(+) cells and in the newly emigrated immature B cells purified from peripheral blood of healthy donors or tonsillar samples. BCR signaling-induced VH replacement is dependent on the activation of Syk and Src kinases but is inhibited by CD19 costimulation, presumably through activation of the PI3K pathway. These results show that VH replacement is regulated by BCR-mediated signaling in human immature B cells, which can be modulated by physiological and pharmacological treatments.

JEC. Secondary mechanisms of diversification in the human antibody repertoire

V(D)J recombination and somatic hypermutation (SHM) are the primary mechanisms for diversification of the human antibody repertoire. These mechanisms allow for rapid humoral immune responses to a wide range of pathogenic challenges. V(D)J recombination efficiently generate a virtually limitless diversity through random recombination of variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) genes with diverse non-templated junctions between the selected gene segments. Following antigen stimulation, affinity maturation by SHM produces antibodies with refined specificity mediated by mutations typically focused in complementarity determining regions (CDRs), which form the bulk of the antigen recognition site. While V(D)J recombination and SHM are responsible for much of the diversity of the antibody repertoire, there are several secondary mechanisms that, while less frequent, make substantial contributions to antibody diversity including V(DD)J recombination (or D-D fusion), SHM-associated insertions and deletions, and affinity maturation and antigen contact by non-CDR regions of the antibody. In addition to enhanced diversity, these mechanisms allow the production of antibodies that are critical to response to a variety of viral and bacterial pathogens but that would be difficult to generate using only the primary mechanisms of diversification.

Role of non-homologous end joining in V(D)J recombination

The pathway of V(D)J recombination was discovered almost three decades ago. Yet it continues to baffle scientists because of its inherent complexity and the multiple layers of regulation that are required to efficiently generate a diverse repertoire of T and B cells. The non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA repair pathway is an integral part of the V(D)J reaction, and its numerous players perform critical functions in generating this vast diversity, while ensuring genomic stability. In this review, we summarize the efforts of a number of laboratories including ours in providing the mechanisms of V(D)J regulation with a focus on the NHEJ pathway. This involves discovering new players, unraveling unknown roles for known components, and understanding how deregulation of these pathways contributes to generation of primary immunodeficiencies. A long-standing interest of our laboratory has been to elucidate various mechanisms that control RAG activity. Our recent work has focused on understanding the multiple protein-protein interactions and protein-DNA interactions during V(D)J recombination, which allow efficient and regulated generation of the antigen receptors. Exploring how deregulation of this process contributes to immunodeficiencies also continues to be an important area of research for our group.

Contribution of V(H) replacement products in mouse antibody repertoire

V_H replacement occurs through RAG-mediated recombination between the cryptic recombination signal sequence (cRSS) near the 3′ end of a rearranged V_H gene and the 23-bp RSS from an upstream unrearranged V_H gene. Due to the location of the cRSS, V_H replacement leaves a short stretch of nucleotides from the previously rearranged V_H gene at the newly formed V-D junction, which can be used as a marker to identify V_H replacement products. To determine the contribution of V_H replacement products to mouse antibody repertoire, we developed a Java-based V_H Replacement Footprint Analyzer (V_HRFA) program and analyzed 17,179 mouse IgH gene sequences from the NCBI database to identify V_H replacement products. The overall frequency of V_H replacement products in these IgH genes is 5.29% based on the identification of pentameric V_H replacement footprints at their V-D junctions. The identified V_H replacement products are distributed similarly in IgH genes using most families of V_H genes, although different families of V_H genes are used differentially. The frequencies of V_H replacement products are significantly elevated in IgH genes derived from several strains of autoimmune prone mice and in IgH genes encoding autoantibodies. Moreover, the identified V_H replacement footprints in IgH genes from autoimmune prone mice or IgH genes encoding autoantibodies preferentially encode positively charged amino acids. These results revealed a significant contribution of V_H replacement products to the diversification of antibody repertoire and potentially, to the generation of autoantibodies in mice.

A non-B DNA can replace heptamer of V(D)J recombination when present along with a nonamer: implications in chromosomal translocations and cancer

The RAG (recombination-activating gene) complex is responsible for the generation of antigen receptor diversity by acting as a sequence-specific nuclease. Recent studies have shown that it also acts as a structure-specific nuclease. However, little is known about the factors regulating this activity at the genomic level. We show in the present study that the proximity of a V(D)J nonamer to heteroduplex DNA significantly increases RAG cleavage and binding efficiencies at physiological concentrations of MgCl(2). The position of the nonamer with respect to heteroduplex DNA was important, but not orientation. A spacer length of 18 bp between the nonamer and mismatch was optimal for RAG-mediated DNA cleavage. Mutations to the sequence of the nonamer and deletion of the nonamer-binding domain of RAG1 reinforced the role of the nonamer in the enhancement in RAG cleavage. Interestingly, partial mutation of the nonamer did not significantly reduce RAG cleavage on heteroduplex DNA, suggesting that even cryptic nonamers were sufficient to enhance RAG cleavage. More importantly, we show that the fragile region involved in chromosomal translocations associated with BCL2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) can be cleaved by RAGs following a nonamer-dependent mechanism. Hence our results from the present study suggest that a non-B DNA can replace the heptamer of RSS (recombination signal sequence) when present adjacent to nonamers, explaining the generation of certain chromosomal translocations in lymphoid malignancies.

Frequency and genetic characterization of V(DD)J recombinants in the human peripheral blood antibody repertoire

Antibody heavy-chain recombination that results in the incorporation of multiple diversity (D) genes, although uncommon, contributes substantially to the diversity of the human antibody repertoire. Such recombination allows the generation of heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (HCDR3) regions of extreme length and enables junctional regions that, because of the nucleotide bias of N-addition regions, are difficult to produce through normal V(D)J recombination. Although this non-classical recombination process has been observed infrequently, comprehensive analysis of the frequency and genetic characteristics of such events in the human peripheral blood antibody repertoire has not been possible because of the rarity of such recombinants and the limitations of traditional sequencing technologies. Here, through the use of high-throughput sequencing of the normal human peripheral blood antibody repertoire, we analysed the frequency and genetic characteristics of V(DD)J recombinants. We found that these recombinations were present in approximately 1 in 800 circulating B cells, and that the frequency was severely reduced in memory cell subsets. We also found that V(DD)J recombination can occur across the spectrum of diversity genes, indicating that virtually all recombination signal sequences that flank diversity genes are amenable to V(DD)J recombination. Finally, we observed a repertoire bias in the diversity gene repertoire at the upstream (5') position, and discovered that this bias was primarily attributable to the order of diversity genes in the genomic locus.

Sequence and structural basis for chromosomal fragility during translocations in cancer

Chromosomal aberration is considered to be one of the major characteristic features in many cancers. Chromosomal translocation, one type of genomic abnormality, can lead to deregulation of critical genes involved in regulating important physiological functions such as cell proliferation and DNA repair. Although chromosomal translocations were thought to be random events, recent findings suggest that certain regions in the human genome are more susceptible to breakage than others. The possibility of deviation from the usual B-DNA conformation in such fragile regions has been an active area of investigation. This review summarizes the factors that contribute towards the fragility of these regions in the chromosomes, such as DNA sequences and the role of different forms of DNA structures. Proteins responsible for chromosomal fragility, and their mechanism of action are also discussed. The effect of positioning of chromosomes within the nucleus favoring chromosomal translocations and the role of repair mechanisms are also addressed.