1
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Hoolehan W, Harris JC, Byrum JN, Simpson DA, Rodgers K. An updated definition of V(D)J recombination signal sequences revealed by high-throughput recombination assays. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:11696-11711. [PMID: 36370096 PMCID: PMC9723617 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the adaptive immune system, V(D)J recombination initiates the production of a diverse antigen receptor repertoire in developing B and T cells. Recombination activating proteins, RAG1 and RAG2 (RAG1/2), catalyze V(D)J recombination by cleaving adjacent to recombination signal sequences (RSSs) that flank antigen receptor gene segments. Previous studies defined the consensus RSS as containing conserved heptamer and nonamer sequences separated by a less conserved 12 or 23 base-pair spacer sequence. However, many RSSs deviate from the consensus sequence. Here, we developed a cell-based, massively parallel assay to evaluate V(D)J recombination activity on thousands of RSSs where the 12-RSS heptamer and adjoining spacer region contained randomized sequences. While the consensus heptamer sequence (CACAGTG) was marginally preferred, V(D)J recombination was highly active on a wide range of non-consensus sequences. Select purine/pyrimidine motifs that may accommodate heptamer unwinding in the RAG1/2 active site were generally preferred. In addition, while different coding flanks and nonamer sequences affected recombination efficiency, the relative dependency on the purine/pyrimidine motifs in the RSS heptamer remained unchanged. Our results suggest RAG1/2 specificity for RSS heptamers is primarily dictated by DNA structural features dependent on purine/pyrimidine pattern, and to a lesser extent, RAG:RSS base-specific interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walker Hoolehan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Justin C Harris
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Jennifer N Byrum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Destiny A Simpson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Karla K Rodgers
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 405 271 2227 (Ext 61248);
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2
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Yan C, Gu J, Zhang Y, Ma K, Lee RJ. Efficient delivery of the Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide G3139 via nucleus-targeted aCD33-NKSN nanoparticles. Int J Pharm 2022; 625:122074. [PMID: 35932928 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
G3139 is an antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN) developed as a Bcl-2 down-regulating agent for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). However, the clinical efficacy of G3139 has been shown to be limited due to its rapid plasma clearance and low permeability. To enhance the effective delivery of G3139, this work prepared a novel nano gene delivery vector (aCD33-NKSN) consisting of a CD33 antigbody (aCD33), a nuclear localization signal (NLS), gene fusion peptides (KALA), and stearic acid (SA) for CD33 antigen targeting and nuclear localization. The aCD33-NKSN/G3139 nanoparticles were spherical and uniformly sized with a positive charge and sustained release. They had an excellent G3139 loading capacity and colloidal stability. The aCD33-NKSN/G3139 delivered G3139 into the nucleus of Kasumi-1 cells and aCD33-NKSN/G3139 could more effectively inhibited Bcl-2 expression and induced apoptosis in Kasumi-1 cells versus free G3139. The aCD33-NKSN/G3139 administration was more effective at inhibiting tumor growth, and significantly prolonged the survival time of mice in contrast to free G3139. The results illustrate that aCD33-NKSN/G3139 nanoparticles could improve the antitumor activity of encapsulated G3139 due to aCD33 targeting and the ability to perform nuclear localization, The results offer a promising clinical application potential for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyun Yan
- College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China.
| | - Jiwei Gu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi of University, Jiamusi 154003, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Kailun Ma
- College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Robert J Lee
- Division of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA
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3
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Chen CC, Chen BR, Wang Y, Curman P, Beilinson HA, Brecht RM, Liu CC, Farrell RJ, de Juan-Sanz J, Charbonnier LM, Kajimura S, Ryan TA, Schatz DG, Chatila TA, Wikstrom JD, Tyler JK, Sleckman BP. Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) activity is required for V(D)J recombination. J Exp Med 2021; 218:212182. [PMID: 34033676 PMCID: PMC8155808 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20201708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A whole-genome CRISPR/Cas9 screen identified ATP2A2, the gene encoding the Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) 2 protein, as being important for V(D)J recombination. SERCAs are ER transmembrane proteins that pump Ca2+ from the cytosol into the ER lumen to maintain the ER Ca2+ reservoir and regulate cytosolic Ca2+-dependent processes. In preB cells, loss of SERCA2 leads to reduced V(D)J recombination kinetics due to diminished RAG-mediated DNA cleavage. SERCA2 deficiency in B cells leads to increased expression of SERCA3, and combined loss of SERCA2 and SERCA3 results in decreased ER Ca2+ levels, increased cytosolic Ca2+ levels, reduction in RAG1 and RAG2 gene expression, and a profound block in V(D)J recombination. Mice with B cells deficient in SERCA2 and humans with Darier disease, caused by heterozygous ATP2A2 mutations, have reduced numbers of mature B cells. We conclude that SERCA proteins modulate intracellular Ca2+ levels to regulate RAG1 and RAG2 gene expression and V(D)J recombination and that defects in SERCA functions cause lymphopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Chin Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Bo-Ruei Chen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
| | - Yinan Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Philip Curman
- Dermatology and Venereology Division, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Dermato-Venereology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Ryan M Brecht
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Catherine C Liu
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Ryan J Farrell
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY.,David Rockefeller Graduate Program, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | | | | | - Shingo Kajimura
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Timothy A Ryan
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - David G Schatz
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Talal A Chatila
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jakob D Wikstrom
- Dermatology and Venereology Division, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Dermato-Venereology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jessica K Tyler
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Barry P Sleckman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
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4
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Hirokawa S, Chure G, Belliveau NM, Lovely GA, Anaya M, Schatz DG, Baltimore D, Phillips R. Sequence-dependent dynamics of synthetic and endogenous RSSs in V(D)J recombination. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:6726-6739. [PMID: 32449932 PMCID: PMC7337519 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing lymphocytes of jawed vertebrates cleave and combine distinct gene segments to assemble antigen-receptor genes. This process called V(D)J recombination that involves the RAG recombinase binding and cutting recombination signal sequences (RSSs) composed of conserved heptamer and nonamer sequences flanking less well-conserved 12- or 23-bp spacers. Little quantitative information is known about the contributions of individual RSS positions over the course of the RAG-RSS interaction. We employ a single-molecule method known as tethered particle motion to track the formation, lifetime and cleavage of individual RAG-12RSS-23RSS paired complexes (PCs) for numerous synthetic and endogenous 12RSSs. We reveal that single-bp changes, including in the 12RSS spacer, can significantly and selectively alter PC formation or the probability of RAG-mediated cleavage in the PC. We find that some rarely used endogenous gene segments can be mapped directly to poor RAG binding on their adjacent 12RSSs. Finally, we find that while abrogating RSS nicking with Ca2+ leads to substantially shorter PC lifetimes, analysis of the complete lifetime distributions of any 12RSS even on this reduced system reveals that the process of exiting the PC involves unidentified molecular details whose involvement in RAG-RSS dynamics are crucial to quantitatively capture kinetics in V(D)J recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soichi Hirokawa
- Department of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Griffin Chure
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Nathan M Belliveau
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Geoffrey A Lovely
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Michael Anaya
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - David G Schatz
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - David Baltimore
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Rob Phillips
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
- Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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5
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Cut-and-Run: A Distinct Mechanism by which V(D)J Recombination Causes Genome Instability. Mol Cell 2019; 74:584-597.e9. [PMID: 30905508 PMCID: PMC6509286 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
V(D)J recombination is essential to generate antigen receptor diversity but is also a potent cause of genome instability. Many chromosome alterations that result from aberrant V(D)J recombination involve breaks at single recombination signal sequences (RSSs). A long-standing question, however, is how such breaks occur. Here, we show that the genomic DNA that is excised during recombination, the excised signal circle (ESC), forms a complex with the recombinase proteins to efficiently catalyze breaks at single RSSs both in vitro and in vivo. Following cutting, the RSS is released while the ESC-recombinase complex remains intact to potentially trigger breaks at further RSSs. Consistent with this, chromosome breaks at RSSs increase markedly in the presence of the ESC. Notably, these breaks co-localize with those found in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and occur at key cancer driver genes. We have named this reaction “cut-and-run” and suggest that it could be a significant cause of lymphocyte genome instability. A complex between the recombination by-product and RAGs triggers multiple DNA breaks The breaks co-localize with chromosome breakpoints in acute lymphoblastic leukemias The breaks occur at many frequently mutated genes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia Cut-and-run may underpin the most common types of lymphocyte chromosome instabilities
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6
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Abstract
The mechanism for initiating DNA cleavage by DDE-family enzymes, including the RAG endonuclease, which initiates V(D)J recombination, is not well understood. Here we report six cryo-EM structures of zebrafish RAG in complex with one or two intact recombination signal sequences (RSSs), at up to 3.9-Å resolution. Unexpectedly, these structures reveal DNA melting at the heptamer of the RSSs, thus resulting in a corkscrew-like rotation of coding-flank DNA and the positioning of the scissile phosphate in the active site. Substrate binding is associated with dimer opening and a piston-like movement in RAG1, first outward to accommodate unmelted DNA and then inward to wedge melted DNA. These precleavage complexes show limited base-specific contacts of RAG at the conserved terminal CAC/GTG sequence of the heptamer, thus suggesting conservation based on a propensity to unwind. CA and TG overwhelmingly dominate terminal sequences in transposons and retrotransposons, thereby implicating a universal mechanism for DNA melting during the initiation of retroviral integration and DNA transposition.
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7
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Miao J, Ying B, Li R, Tollefson AE, Spencer JF, Wold WSM, Song SH, Kong IK, Toth K, Wang Y, Wang Z. Characterization of an N-Terminal Non-Core Domain of RAG1 Gene Disrupted Syrian Hamster Model Generated by CRISPR Cas9. Viruses 2018; 10:E243. [PMID: 29734775 PMCID: PMC5977236 DOI: 10.3390/v10050243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulating evidence demonstrates that Syrian hamsters have advantages as models for various diseases. To develop a Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) model of human immunodeficiency caused by RAG1 gene mutations, we employed the CRISPR/Cas9 system and introduced an 86-nucleotide frameshift deletion in the hamster RAG1 gene encoding part of the N-terminal non-core domain of RAG1. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that these hamsters (referred herein as RAG1-86nt hamsters) had atrophic spleen and thymus, and developed significantly less white pulp and were almost completely devoid of splenic lymphoid follicles. The RAG1-nt86 hamsters had barely detectable CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells. The expression of B and T lymphocyte-specific genes (CD3γ and CD4 for T cell-specific) and (CD22 and FCMR for B cell-specific) was dramatically reduced, whereas the expression of macrophage-specific (CD68) and natural killer (NK) cell-specific (CD94 and KLRG1) marker genes was increased in the spleen of RAG1-nt86 hamsters compared to wildtype hamsters. Interestingly, despite the impaired development of B and T lymphocytes, the RAG1-86nt hamsters still developed neutralizing antibodies against human adenovirus type C6 (HAdV-C6) upon intranasal infection and were capable of clearing the infectious viruses, albeit with slower kinetics. Therefore, the RAG1-86nt hamster reported herein (similar to the hypomorphic RAG1 mutations in humans that cause Omenn syndrome), may provide a useful model for studying the pathogenesis of the specific RAG1-mutation-induced human immunodeficiency, the host immune response to adenovirus infection and other pathogens as well as for evaluation of cell and gene therapies for treatment of this subset of RAG1 mutation patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxin Miao
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA.
| | - Baoling Ying
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA.
| | - Ann E Tollefson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
| | - Jacqueline F Spencer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
| | - William S M Wold
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
| | - Seok-Hwan Song
- Department of Animal Science, Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Plus), Graduate School of Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea.
| | - Il-Keun Kong
- Department of Animal Science, Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Plus), Graduate School of Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea.
- Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea.
| | - Karoly Toth
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
| | - Yaohe Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| | - Zhongde Wang
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA.
- Auratus Bio, LLC., Canton, SD 57104, USA.
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8
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Khan FA, Ali SO. Physiological Roles of DNA Double-Strand Breaks. J Nucleic Acids 2017; 2017:6439169. [PMID: 29181194 PMCID: PMC5664317 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6439169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhaan A. Khan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0SP, UK
| | - Syed O. Ali
- School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0SP, UK
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9
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Bahjat M, Guikema JEJ. The Complex Interplay between DNA Injury and Repair in Enzymatically Induced Mutagenesis and DNA Damage in B Lymphocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18091876. [PMID: 28867784 PMCID: PMC5618525 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18091876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphocytes are endowed with unique and specialized enzymatic mutagenic properties that allow them to diversify their antigen receptors, which are crucial sensors for pathogens and mediators of adaptive immunity. During lymphocyte development, the antigen receptors expressed by B and T lymphocytes are assembled in an antigen-independent fashion by ordered variable gene segment recombinations (V(D)J recombination), which is a highly ordered and regulated process that requires the recombination activating gene products 1 & 2 (RAG1, RAG2). Upon activation by antigen, B lymphocytes undergo additional diversifications of their immunoglobulin B-cell receptors. Enzymatically induced somatic hypermutation (SHM) and immunoglobulin class switch recombination (CSR) improves the affinity for antigen and shape the effector function of the humoral immune response, respectively. The activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) enzyme is crucial for both SHM and CSR. These processes have evolved to both utilize as well as evade different DNA repair and DNA damage response pathways. The delicate balance between enzymatic mutagenesis and DNA repair is crucial for effective immune responses and the maintenance of genomic integrity. Not surprisingly, disturbances in this balance are at the basis of lymphoid malignancies by provoking the formation of oncogenic mutations and chromosomal aberrations. In this review, we discuss recent mechanistic insight into the regulation of RAG1/2 and AID expression and activity in lymphocytes and the complex interplay between these mutagenic enzymes and DNA repair and DNA damage response pathways, focusing on the base excision repair and mismatch repair pathways. We discuss how disturbances of this interplay induce genomic instability and contribute to oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahnoush Bahjat
- Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam (LYMMCARE), Amsterdam 1105 AZ, The Netherlands.
| | - Jeroen E J Guikema
- Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam (LYMMCARE), Amsterdam 1105 AZ, The Netherlands.
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10
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Lescale C, Deriano L. The RAG recombinase: Beyond breaking. Mech Ageing Dev 2016; 165:3-9. [PMID: 27863852 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are commonly seen as lesions that threaten genome integrity and contribute to cancer and aging processes. However, in the context of antigen receptor gene assembly, known as V(D)J recombination, DSBs are obligatory intermediates that allow the establishment of genetic diversity and adaptive immunity. V(D)J recombination is initiated when the lymphoid-restricted recombination-activating genes RAG1 and RAG2 are expressed and form a site-specific endonuclease (the RAG nuclease or RAG recombinase). Here, we discuss the ability of the RAG nuclease to minimize the risks of genome disruption by coupling the breakage and repair steps of the V(D)J reaction. This implies that the RAG genes, derived from an ancient transposon, have undergone strong selective pressure to prohibit transposition in favor of promoting controlled DNA end joining in cis by the ubiquitous DNA damage response and DNA repair machineries. We also discuss the idea that, in addition to being essential for the rearrangement of antigen receptor genes, RAG-mediated DSBs could impact cellular processes and outcomes by affecting genetic and epigenetic programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Lescale
- Department of Immunology and Department of Genomes and Genetics, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Deriano
- Department of Immunology and Department of Genomes and Genetics, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France.
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11
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Meek K, Xu Y, Bailie C, Yu K, Neal JA. The ATM Kinase Restrains Joining of Both VDJ Signal and Coding Ends. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 197:3165-3174. [PMID: 27574300 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The evidence that ATM affects resolution of RAG-induced DNA double-strand breaks is profuse and unequivocal; moreover, it is clear that the RAG complex itself cooperates (in an undetermined way) with ATM to facilitate repair of these double-strand breaks by the classical nonhomologous end-joining pathway. The mechanistic basis for the cooperation between ATM and the RAG complex has not been defined, although proposed models invoke ATM and RAG2's C terminus in maintaining the RAG postcleavage complex. In this study, we show that ATM reduces the rate of both coding and signal joining in a robust episomal assay; we suggest that this is the result of increased stability of the postcleavage complex. ATM's ability to inhibit VDJ joining requires its enzymatic activity. The noncore C termini of both RAG1 and RAG2 are also required for ATM's capacity to limit signal (but not coding) joining. Moreover, potential phosphorylation targets within the C terminus of RAG2 are also required for ATM's capacity to limit signal joining. These data suggest a model whereby the RAG signal end complex is stabilized by phosphorylation of RAG2 by ATM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katheryn Meek
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824; .,Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824; and
| | - Yao Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.,Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824; and
| | - Caleb Bailie
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.,Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824; and
| | - Kefei Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
| | - Jessica A Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.,Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824; and
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12
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Maman Y, Teng G, Seth R, Kleinstein SH, Schatz DG. RAG1 targeting in the genome is dominated by chromatin interactions mediated by the non-core regions of RAG1 and RAG2. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:9624-9637. [PMID: 27436288 PMCID: PMC5175335 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The RAG1/RAG2 endonuclease initiates V(D)J recombination at antigen receptor loci but also binds to thousands of places outside of these loci. RAG2 localizes directly to lysine 4 trimethylated histone 3 (H3K4me3) through a plant homeodomain (PHD) finger. The relative contribution of RAG2-dependent and RAG1-intrinsic mechanisms in determining RAG1 binding patterns is not known. Through analysis of deep RAG1 ChIP-seq data, we provide a quantitative description of the forces underlying genome-wide targeting of RAG1. Surprisingly, sequence-specific DNA binding contributes minimally to RAG1 targeting outside of antigen receptor loci. Instead, RAG1 binding is driven by two distinct modes of interaction with chromatin: the first is driven by H3K4me3, promoter-focused and dependent on the RAG2 PHD, and the second is defined by H3K27Ac, enhancer-focused and dependent on ‘non-core’ portions of RAG1. Based on this and additional chromatin and genomic features, we formulated a predictive model of RAG1 targeting to the genome. RAG1 binding sites predicted by our model correlate well with observed patterns of RAG1-mediated breaks in human pro-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Overall, this study provides an integrative model for RAG1 genome-wide binding and off-target activity and reveals a novel role for the RAG1 non-core region in RAG1 targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaakov Maman
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, Box 208011, New Haven, CT 06520-8011, USA
| | - Grace Teng
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, Box 208011, New Haven, CT 06520-8011, USA
| | - Rashu Seth
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, Box 208011, New Haven, CT 06520-8011, USA
| | - Steven H Kleinstein
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, Box 208011, New Haven, CT 06520-8011, USA.,Interdepartmental Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.,Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - David G Schatz
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, Box 208011, New Haven, CT 06520-8011, USA .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 295 Congress Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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13
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Abstract
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.
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14
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Xu K, Liu H, Shi Z, Song G, Zhu X, Jiang Y, Zhou Z, Liu X. Disruption of the RAG2 zinc finger motif impairs protein stability and causes immunodeficiency. Eur J Immunol 2015; 46:1011-9. [PMID: 26692406 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201545896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Although the RAG2 core domain is the minimal region required for V(D)J recombination, the noncore region also plays important roles in the regulation of recombination, and mutations in this region are often related to severe combined immunodeficiency. A complete understanding of the functions of the RAG2 noncore region and the potential contributions of its individual residues has not yet been achieved. Here, we show that the zinc finger motif within the noncore region of RAG2 is indispensable for maintaining the stability of the RAG2 protein. The zinc finger motif in the noncore region of RAG2 is highly conserved from zebrafish to humans. Knock-in mice carrying a zinc finger mutation (C478Y) exhibit decreased V(D)J recombination efficiency and serious impairment in T/B-cell development due to RAG2 instability. Further studies also reveal the importance of the zinc finger motif for RAG2 stability. Moreover, mice harboring a RAG2 noncore region mutation (N474S), which is located near C478 but is not zinc-binding, exhibit no impairment in either RAG2 stability or T/B-cell development. Taken together, our findings contribute to defining critical functions of the RAG2 zinc finger motif and provide insights into the relationships between the mutations within this motif and immunodeficiency diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhubing Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangrong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuzhang Jiang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Huaian First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhaocai Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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15
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Reeves R. High mobility group (HMG) proteins: Modulators of chromatin structure and DNA repair in mammalian cells. DNA Repair (Amst) 2015; 36:122-136. [PMID: 26411874 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2015.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
It has been almost a decade since the last review appeared comparing and contrasting the influences that the different families of High Mobility Group proteins (HMGA, HMGB and HMGN) have on the various DNA repair pathways in mammalian cells. During that time considerable progress has been made in our understanding of how these non-histone proteins modulate the efficiency of DNA repair by all of the major cellular pathways: nucleotide excision repair, base excision repair, double-stand break repair and mismatch repair. Although there are often similar and over-lapping biological activities shared by all HMG proteins, members of each of the different families appear to have a somewhat 'individualistic' impact on various DNA repair pathways. This review will focus on what is currently known about the roles that different HMG proteins play in DNA repair processes and discuss possible future research areas in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Reeves
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4660, USA.
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16
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Vassiliev KA, Polevshchikov AV. Enhancement of rag1 and tdt expression in thymus after immunization. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2015; 462:196-8. [PMID: 26163219 DOI: 10.1134/s1607672915030151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K A Vassiliev
- St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
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17
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Lapkouski M, Chuenchor W, Kim MS, Gellert M, Yang W. Assembly Pathway and Characterization of the RAG1/2-DNA Paired and Signal-end Complexes. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:14618-25. [PMID: 25903130 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.641787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikalai Lapkouski
- From the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Watchalee Chuenchor
- From the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Min-Sung Kim
- From the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Martin Gellert
- From the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Wei Yang
- From the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
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18
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Kumar V, Alt FW, Oksenych V. Reprint of "Functional overlaps between XLF and the ATM-dependent DNA double strand break response". DNA Repair (Amst) 2014; 17:52-63. [PMID: 24767946 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2013] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Developing B and T lymphocytes generate programmed DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) during the V(D)J recombination process that assembles exons that encode the antigen-binding variable regions of antibodies. In addition, mature B lymphocytes generate programmed DSBs during the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) class switch recombination (CSR) process that allows expression of different antibody heavy chain constant regions that provide different effector functions. During both V(D)J recombination and CSR, DSB intermediates are sensed by the ATM-dependent DSB response (DSBR) pathway, which also contributes to their joining via classical non-homologous end-joining (C-NHEJ). The precise nature of the interplay between the DSBR and C-NHEJ pathways in the context of DSB repair via C-NHEJ remains under investigation. Recent studies have shown that the XLF C-NHEJ factor has functional redundancy with several members of the ATM-dependent DSBR pathway in C-NHEJ, highlighting unappreciated major roles for both XLF as well as the DSBR in V(D)J recombination, CSR and C-NHEJ in general. In this review, we discuss current knowledge of the mechanisms that contribute to the repair of DSBs generated during B lymphocyte development and activation with a focus on potential functionally redundant roles of XLF and ATM-dependent DSBR factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Kumar
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Frederick W Alt
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| | - Valentyn Oksenych
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
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19
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Kumar V, Alt FW, Oksenych V. Functional overlaps between XLF and the ATM-dependent DNA double strand break response. DNA Repair (Amst) 2014; 16:11-22. [PMID: 24674624 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2014.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2013] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Developing B and T lymphocytes generate programmed DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) during the V(D)J recombination process that assembles exons that encode the antigen-binding variable regions of antibodies. In addition, mature B lymphocytes generate programmed DSBs during the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) class switch recombination (CSR) process that allows expression of different antibody heavy chain constant regions that provide different effector functions. During both V(D)J recombination and CSR, DSB intermediates are sensed by the ATM-dependent DSB response (DSBR) pathway, which also contributes to their joining via classical non-homologous end-joining (C-NHEJ). The precise nature of the interplay between the DSBR and C-NHEJ pathways in the context of DSB repair via C-NHEJ remains under investigation. Recent studies have shown that the XLF C-NHEJ factor has functional redundancy with several members of the ATM-dependent DSBR pathway in C-NHEJ, highlighting unappreciated major roles for both XLF as well as the DSBR in V(D)J recombination, CSR and C-NHEJ in general. In this review, we discuss current knowledge of the mechanisms that contribute to the repair of DSBs generated during B lymphocyte development and activation with a focus on potential functionally redundant roles of XLF and ATM-dependent DSBR factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Kumar
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Frederick W Alt
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| | - Valentyn Oksenych
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
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20
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Deriano L, Roth DB. Modernizing the nonhomologous end-joining repertoire: alternative and classical NHEJ share the stage. Annu Rev Genet 2013; 47:433-55. [PMID: 24050180 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-110711-155540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 314] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are common lesions that continually threaten genomic integrity. Failure to repair a DSB has deleterious consequences, including cell death. Misrepair is also fraught with danger, especially inappropriate end-joining events, which commonly underlie oncogenic transformation and can scramble the genome. Canonically, cells employ two basic mechanisms to repair DSBs: homologous recombination (HR) and the classical nonhomologous end-joining pathway (cNHEJ). More recent experiments identified a highly error-prone NHEJ pathway, termed alternative NHEJ (aNHEJ), which operates in both cNHEJ-proficient and cNHEJ-deficient cells. aNHEJ is now recognized to catalyze many genome rearrangements, some leading to oncogenic transformation. Here, we review the mechanisms of cNHEJ and aNHEJ, their interconnections with the DNA damage response (DDR), and the mechanisms used to determine which of the three DSB repair pathways is used to heal a particular DSB. We briefly review recent clinical applications involving NHEJ and NHEJ inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Deriano
- Departments of Immunology and Genomes & Genetics, Institut Pasteur, CNRS-URA 1961, 75015 Paris, France;
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21
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Goodarzi AA, Jeggo PA. The repair and signaling responses to DNA double-strand breaks. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2013; 82:1-45. [PMID: 23721719 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407676-1.00001-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A DNA double-strand break (DSB) has long been recognized as a severe cellular lesion, potentially representing an initiating event for carcinogenesis or cell death. The evolution of DSB repair pathways as well as additional processes, such as cell cycle checkpoint arrest, to minimize the cellular impact of DSB formation was, therefore, not surprising. However, the depth and complexity of the DNA damage responses being revealed by current studies were unexpected. Perhaps the most surprising finding to emerge is the dramatic changes to chromatin architecture that arise in the DSB vicinity. In this review, we overview the cellular response to DSBs focusing on DNA repair pathways and the interface between them. We consider additional events which impact upon these DSB repair pathways, including regulated arrest of cell cycle progression and chromatin architecture alterations. Finally, we discuss the impact of defects in these processes to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron A Goodarzi
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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22
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Nishana M, Raghavan SC. Role of recombination activating genes in the generation of antigen receptor diversity and beyond. Immunology 2013; 137:271-81. [PMID: 23039142 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2012] [Revised: 08/19/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
V(D)J recombination is the process by which antibody and T-cell receptor diversity is attained. During this process, antigen receptor gene segments are cleaved and rejoined by non-homologous DNA end joining for the generation of combinatorial diversity. The major players of the initial process of cleavage are the proteins known as RAG1 (recombination activating gene 1) and RAG2. In this review, we discuss the physiological function of RAGs as a sequence-specific nuclease and its pathological role as a structure-specific nuclease. The first part of the review discusses the basic mechanism of V(D)J recombination, and the last part focuses on how the RAG complex functions as a sequence-specific and structure-specific nuclease. It also deals with the off-target cleavage of RAGs and its implications in genomic instability.
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23
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Massive evolution of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus in children with B precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2012; 120:4407-17. [PMID: 22932801 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-05-429811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to distinguish clonal B-cell populations based on the sequence of their rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus is an important tool for diagnosing B-cell neoplasms and monitoring treatment response. Leukemic precursor B cells may continue to undergo recombination of the IgH gene after malignant transformation; however, the magnitude of evolution at the IgH locus is currently unknown. We used next-generation sequencing to characterize the repertoire of IgH sequences in diagnostic samples of 51 children with B precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). We identified clonal IgH rearrangements in 43 of 51 (84%) cases and found that the number of evolved IgH sequences per patient ranged dramatically from 0 to 4024. We demonstrate that the evolved IgH sequences are not the result of amplification artifacts and are unique to leukemic precursor B cells. In addition, the evolution often follows an allelic exclusion pattern, where only 1 of 2 rearranged IgH loci exhibit ongoing recombination. Thus, precursor B-cell leukemias maintain evolution at the IgH locus at levels that were previously underappreciated. This finding sheds light on the mechanisms associated with leukemic clonal evolution and may fundamentally change approaches for monitoring minimal residual disease burden.
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24
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Wang G, Dhar K, Swanson PC, Levitus M, Chang Y. Real-time monitoring of RAG-catalyzed DNA cleavage unveils dynamic changes in coding end association with the coding end complex. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:6082-96. [PMID: 22434887 PMCID: PMC3401440 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During V(D)J recombination, the RAG1/2 recombinase is thought to play an active role in transferring newly excised recombination ends from the RAG post-cleavage complex (PCC) to the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) machinery to promote appropriate antigen receptor gene assembly. However, this transfer mechanism is poorly understood, partly because of the technical difficulty in revealing weak association of coding ends (CEs) with one of the PCCs, coding end complex (CEC). Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and anisotropy measurement, we present here real-time monitoring of the RAG1/2-catalyzed cleavage reaction, and provide unequivocal evidence that CEs are retained within the CEC in the presence of Mg(2+). By examining the dynamic fluorescence changes during the cleavage reaction, we compared the stability of CEC assembled with core RAG1 paired with full-length RAG2, core RAG2 or a frameshift RAG2 mutant that was speculated to destabilize the PCC, leading to increased aberrant joining. While the latter two CECs exhibit similar stability, the full-length RAG2 renders a less stable CEC unless H3K4me3 peptides are added. Interestingly, the RAG2 mutant appears to modulate the structure of the RAG-12RSS pre-cleavage complex. Thus, the fluorescence-based detection offers a sensitive, quantitative and continuous assessment of pre-cleavage complex assembly and CEC stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Wang
- Center of Infectious Disease and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
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25
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Berkowska MA, van der Burg M, van Dongen JJM, van Zelm MC. Checkpoints of B cell differentiation: visualizing Ig-centric processes. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2012; 1246:11-25. [PMID: 22236426 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06278.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The generation of antibody responses and B cell memory can only take place following multiple steps of differentiation. Key molecular processes during precursor B cell differentiation in bone marrow generate unique antibodies. These antibodies are further optimized via molecular modifications during immune responses in peripheral lymphoid organs. Multiple checkpoints ensure proper differentiation of precursor and mature B lymphocytes. Many of these checkpoints have been found disrupted in patients with a primary immunodeficiency. Based on studies in these patients and in mouse models, new insights have been generated in B cell differentiation and antibody responses. Still, in many patients with impaired antibody formation, it remains unclear how B cells are affected. In this perspective, we present 11 critical processes in B cell differentiation. We discuss how defects in these processes can result in impaired checkpoint selection and how they can be visualized in healthy subjects and patients with immunodeficiency or other immunological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena A Berkowska
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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26
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Abstract
V(D)J recombination assembles immunoglobulin and T cell receptor genes during lymphocyte development through a series of carefully orchestrated DNA breakage and rejoining events. DNA cleavage requires a series of protein-DNA complexes containing the RAG1 and RAG2 proteins and recombination signals that flank the recombining gene segments. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the function and domain organization of the RAG proteins, the composition and structure of RAG-DNA complexes, and the pathways that lead to the formation of these complexes. We also consider the functional significance of RAG-mediated histone recognition and ubiquitin ligase activities, and the role played by RAG in ensuring proper repair of DNA breaks made during V(D)J recombination. Finally, we propose a model for the formation of RAG-DNA complexes that involves anchoring of RAG1 at the recombination signal nonamer and RAG2-dependent surveillance of adjoining DNA for suitable spacer and heptamer sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Schatz
- Department of Immunobiology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8011, USA.
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27
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Numata M, Nagata K. Synergistic requirement of orphan nonamer-like elements and DNA bending enhanced by HMGB1 for RAG-mediated nicking at cryptic 12-RSS but not authentic 12-RSS. Genes Cells 2011; 16:879-95. [PMID: 21740486 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2443.2011.01534.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
V(D)J recombination is initiated by the specific binding of the recombination activating gene (RAG) complex to the heptamer and nonamer elements within recombination signal sequence (RSS). The break points associated with some chromosomal translocations contain cryptic RSSs, and mistargeting of RAG proteins to these less conserved elements could contribute to an aberrant V(D)J recombination. Recently, we found RAG-dependent recombination in the hotspots of TEL-AML1 t(12;21)(p13;q22) chromosomal translocation by an extrachromosomal recombination assay. Here, we describe using in vitro cleavage assays that RAG proteins directly bind to and introduce nicks into TEL and AML1 translocation regions, which contain several heptamer-like sequences. The cryptic nicking site within the TEL fragment was cleaved by RAG proteins essentially depending on a 12-RSS framework, and the nicking activity was enhanced synergistically by both HMGB1 and orphan nonamer-like (NL) sequences, which do not possess counterpart heptamers. In addition, we found that DNA bending stimulated by HMGB1 is indispensable for the HMGB1- and orphan NL element-dependent enhancement of RAG-mediated nicking at the cryptic 12-RSS. Collectively, we would propose the mechanism of HMGB1-dependent enhancement of RAG-mediated nicking at a cryptic RSS through enhanced DNA bending.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Numata
- Department of Infection Biology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
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28
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Abstract
Approximately 500 million years ago, two types of recombinatorial adaptive immune systems (AISs) arose in vertebrates. The jawed vertebrates diversify their repertoire of immunoglobulin domain-based T and B cell antigen receptors mainly through the rearrangement of V(D)J gene segments and somatic hypermutation, but none of the fundamental AIS recognition elements in jawed vertebrates have been found in jawless vertebrates. Instead, the AIS of jawless vertebrates is based on variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs) that are generated through recombinatorial usage of a large panel of highly diverse leucine-rich-repeat (LRR) sequences. Whereas the appearance of transposon-like, recombination-activating genes contributed uniquely to the origin of the AIS in jawed vertebrates, the use of activation-induced cytidine deaminase for receptor diversification is common to both the jawed and jawless vertebrates. Despite these differences in anticipatory receptor construction, the basic AIS design featuring two interactive T and B lymphocyte arms apparently evolved in an ancestor of jawed and jawless vertebrates within the context of preexisting innate immunity and has been maintained since as a consequence of powerful and enduring selection, most probably for pathogen defense purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Hirano
- Emory Vaccine Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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29
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Desiderio S. Temporal and spatial regulatory functions of the V(D)J recombinase. Semin Immunol 2010; 22:362-9. [PMID: 21036059 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2010.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 09/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In developing lymphocytes, V(D)J recombination is subject to tight spatial and temporal regulation. An emerging body of evidence indicates that some of these constraints, particularly with respect to locus specificity and cell cycle phase, are enforced by regulatory cues that converge directly on the RAG proteins themselves. Active chromatin is bound by RAG-2 through a specific histone modification that may serve the recombinase as an allosteric activator as well as a docking site. RAG-1 possesses intrinsic histone ubiquitin ligase activity, suggesting that the recombinase not only responds to chromatin modification but is itself able to modify chromatin. The cyclin A/Cdk2 component of the cell cycle clock triggers periodic destruction of RAG-2, thereby restricting V(D)J recombination to the G0/G1 cell cycle phases. These examples illustrate that the RAG proteins, in addition to their direct actions on DNA, are able to detect and respond to intracellular signals, thereby coordinating recombinase activity with intracellular processes such as cell division and transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Desiderio
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21210, United States
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30
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Arnal SM, Holub AJ, Salus SS, Roth DB. Non-consensus heptamer sequences destabilize the RAG post-cleavage complex, making ends available to alternative DNA repair pathways. Nucleic Acids Res 2010; 38:2944-54. [PMID: 20139091 PMCID: PMC2875030 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkp1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
V(D)J recombination entails double-stranded DNA cleavage at the antigen receptor loci by the RAG1/2 proteins, which recognize conserved recombination signal sequences (RSSs) adjoining variable (V), diversity (D) and joining (J) gene segments. After cleavage, RAG1/2 remain associated with the coding and signal ends (SE) in a post-cleavage complex (PCC), which is critical for their proper joining by classical non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Certain mutations in RAG1/2 destabilize the PCC, allowing DNA ends to access inappropriate repair pathways such as alternative NHEJ, an error-prone pathway implicated in chromosomal translocations. The PCC is thus thought to discourage aberrant rearrangements by controlling repair pathway choice. Since interactions between RAG1/2 and the RSS heptamer element are especially important in forming the RAG-SE complex, we hypothesized that non-consensus heptamer sequences might affect PCC stability. We find that certain non-consensus heptamers, including a cryptic heptamer implicated in oncogenic chromosomal rearrangements, destabilize the PCC, allowing coding and SEs to be repaired by non-standard pathways, including alternative NHEJ. These data suggest that some non-consensus RSS, frequently present at chromosomal translocations in lymphoid neoplasms, may promote genomic instability by a novel mechanism, disabling the PCC’s ability to restrict repair pathway choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzzette M Arnal
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Grundy GJ, Ramón-Maiques S, Dimitriadis EK, Kotova S, Biertümpfel C, Heymann JB, Steven AC, Gellert M, Yang W. Initial stages of V(D)J recombination: the organization of RAG1/2 and RSS DNA in the postcleavage complex. Mol Cell 2009; 35:217-27. [PMID: 19647518 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2009.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2009] [Revised: 05/27/2009] [Accepted: 06/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
To obtain structural information on the early stages of V(D)J recombination, we isolated a complex of the core RAG1 and RAG2 proteins with DNA containing a pair of cleaved recombination signal sequences (RSS). Stoichiometric and molecular mass analysis established that this signal-end complex (SEC) contains two protomers each of RAG1 and RAG2. Visualization of the SEC by negative-staining electron microscopy revealed an anchor-shaped particle with approximate two-fold symmetry. Consistent with a parallel arrangement of DNA and protein subunits, the N termini of RAG1 and RAG2 are positioned at opposing ends of the complex, and the DNA chains beyond the RSS nonamer emerge from the same face of the complex, near the RAG1 N termini. These first images of the V(D)J recombinase in its postcleavage state provide a framework for modeling RAG domains and their interactions with DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle J Grundy
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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32
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Deriano L, Stracker TH, Baker A, Petrini JHJ, Roth DB. Roles for NBS1 in alternative nonhomologous end-joining of V(D)J recombination intermediates. Mol Cell 2009; 34:13-25. [PMID: 19362533 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2009.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2008] [Revised: 01/28/2009] [Accepted: 03/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent work has highlighted the importance of alternative, error-prone mechanisms for joining DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in mammalian cells. These noncanonical, nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathways threaten genomic stability but remain poorly characterized. The RAG postcleavage complex normally prevents V(D)J recombination-associated DSBs from accessing alternative NHEJ. Because the MRE11/RAD50/NBS1 complex localizes to RAG-mediated DSBs and possesses DNA end tethering, processing, and joining activities, we asked whether it plays a role in the mechanism of alternative NHEJ or participates in regulating access of DSBs to alternative repair pathways. We find that NBS1 is required for alternative NHEJ of hairpin coding ends, suppresses alternative NHEJ of signal ends, and promotes proper resolution of inversional recombination intermediates. These data demonstrate that the MRE11 complex functions at two distinct levels, regulating repair pathway choice (likely through enhancing the stability of DNA end complexes) and participating in alternative NHEJ of coding ends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Deriano
- Department of Pathology, The Helen L and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine and , New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Shlyakhtenko LS, Gilmore J, Kriatchko AN, Kumar S, Swanson PC, Lyubchenko YL. Molecular mechanism underlying RAG1/RAG2 synaptic complex formation. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:20956-65. [PMID: 19502597 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.028977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Two lymphoid cell-specific proteins, RAG1 and RAG2 (RAG), initiate V(D)J recombination by assembling a synaptic complex with recombination signal sequences (RSSs) abutting two different antigen receptor gene coding segments, and then introducing a DNA double strand break at the end of each RSS. Despite the biological importance of this system, the structure of the synaptic complex, and the RAG protein stoichiometry and arrangement of DNA within the synaptosome, remains poorly understood. Here we applied atomic force microscopy to directly visualize and characterize RAG synaptic complexes. We report that the pre-cleavage RAG synaptic complex contains about twice the protein content as a RAG complex bound to a single RSS, with a calculated mass consistent with a pair of RAG heterotetramers. In the synaptic complex, the RSSs are predominantly oriented in a side-by-side configuration with no DNA strand crossover. The mass of the synaptic complex, and the conditions under which it is formed in vitro, favors an association model of assembly in which isolated RAG-RSS complexes undergo synapsis mediated by RAG protein-protein interactions. The replacement of Mg2+ cations with Ca2+ leads to a dramatic change in protein stoichiometry for all RAG-RSS complexes, suggesting that the cation composition profoundly influences the type of complex assembled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luda S Shlyakhtenko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
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34
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Franco D, Chang Y. Accessibility of chromosomal recombination breaks in nuclei of wild-type and DNA-PKcs-deficient cells. DNA Repair (Amst) 2009; 8:813-21. [PMID: 19395319 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2009.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2008] [Revised: 02/24/2009] [Accepted: 03/23/2009] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
V(D)J recombination is a highly regulated process, proceeding from a site-specific cleavage to an imprecise end joining. After the DNA excision catalyzed by the recombinase encoded by recombination activating genes 1 and 2 (RAG1/2), newly generated recombination ends are believed held by a post-cleavage complex (PC) consisting of RAG1/2 proteins, and are subsequently resolved by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) machinery. The relay of these ends from PC to NHEJ remains elusive. It has been speculated that NHEJ factors modify the RAG1/2-PC to gain access to the ends or act on free ends after the disassembly of the PC. Thus, recombination ends may either be retained in a complex throughout the recombination process or left as unprotected free ends after cleavage, a condition that may permit an alternative, non-classical NHEJ end joining pathway. To directly test these scenarios on recombination induced chromosomal breaks, we have developed a recombination end protection assay to monitor the accessibility of recombination ends to exonuclease-V in intact nuclei. We demonstrate that these ends are well protected in the nuclei of wild-type cells, suggesting a seamless cleavage-joining reaction. However, divergent end protection of coding versus signal ends was found in cells derived from severe combined immunodeficient (scid) mice that are defective in the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs). While signal ends are resistant, opened coding ends are susceptible to enzymatic modification. Our data suggests a role of DNA-PKcs in protecting chromosomal coding ends. Furthermore, using recombination inducible scid cell lines, we demonstrate that conditional protection of coding ends is inversely correlated with the level of their resolution, i.e., the greater the accessibility of the coding ends, the higher level of coding joints formed. Taken together, our findings provide important insights into the resolution of recombination ends by error-prone alternative NHEJ pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Franco
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, School of Life Sciences, Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, BDA220, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85287-5501, United States
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Swanson PC, Kumar S, Raval P. Early steps of V(D)J rearrangement: insights from biochemical studies of RAG-RSS complexes. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2009; 650:1-15. [PMID: 19731797 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-0296-2_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
V(D)J recombination is initiated by the synapsis and cleavage of a complementary (12/23) pair of recombination signal sequences (RSSs) by the RAG1 and RAG2 proteins. Our understanding of these processes has been greatly aided by the development of in vitro biochemical assays of RAG binding and cleavage activity. Accumulating evidence suggests that synaptic complex assembly occurs in a step-wise manner and that the RAG proteins catalyze RSS cleavage by mechanisms similar to those used by bacterial transposases. In this chapter we will review the molecular mechanisms of RAG synaptic complex assembly and 12/23-regulated RSS cleavage, focusing on recent advances that shed new light on these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick C Swanson
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, USA.
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36
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Temporal and spatial regulation of V(D)J recombination: interactions of extrinsic factors with the RAG complex. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2009; 650:157-65. [PMID: 19731809 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-0296-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In the course of lymphoid development, V(D)J recombination is subject to stringent locus-specific and temporal regulation. These constraints are ultimately responsible for several features peculiar to lymphoid development, including the lineage specificity of antigen receptor assembly, allelic exclusion and receptor editing. In addition, cell cycle phase-dependent regulation of V(D)J recombinase activity ensures that DNA rearrangement is completed by the appropriate mechanism of DNA repair. Regulation of V(D)J recombination involves interactions between the V(D)J recombinase--a heteromeric complex consisting of RAG-1 and RAG-2 subunits--and macromolecular assemblies extrinsic to the recombinase. This chapter will focus on those features of the recombinase itself--and in particular the RAG-2 subunit--that interact with extrinsic factors to establish patterns of temporal control and locus specificity in developing lymphocytes.
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37
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Integrase and integration: biochemical activities of HIV-1 integrase. Retrovirology 2008; 5:114. [PMID: 19091057 PMCID: PMC2615046 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-5-114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2008] [Accepted: 12/17/2008] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Integration of retroviral DNA is an obligatory step of retrovirus replication because proviral DNA is the template for productive infection. Integrase, a retroviral enzyme, catalyses integration. The process of integration can be divided into two sequential reactions. The first one, named 3'-processing, corresponds to a specific endonucleolytic reaction which prepares the viral DNA extremities to be competent for the subsequent covalent insertion, named strand transfer, into the host cell genome by a trans-esterification reaction. Recently, a novel specific activity of the full length integrase was reported, in vitro, by our group for two retroviral integrases (HIV-1 and PFV-1). This activity of internal cleavage occurs at a specific palindromic sequence mimicking the LTR-LTR junction described into the 2-LTR circles which are peculiar viral DNA forms found during viral infection. Moreover, recent studies demonstrated the existence of a weak palindromic consensus found at the integration sites. Taken together, these data underline the propensity of retroviral integrases for binding symmetrical sequences and give perspectives for targeting specific sequences used for gene therapy.
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Vaisocherová H, Snásel J, Springer T, Sípová H, Rosenberg I, Stepánek J, Homola J. Surface plasmon resonance study on HIV-1 integrase strand transfer activity. Anal Bioanal Chem 2008; 393:1165-72. [PMID: 19011840 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-008-2485-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2008] [Revised: 09/12/2008] [Accepted: 10/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanism of HIV-1 integrase (IN) activity is critical to find functional inhibitors for an effective AIDS therapy. A robust, fast, and sensitive method for studying IN activity is required. In this work, an assay for real-time label-free monitoring of the IN activity based on surface plasmon resonance was developed. This assay enabled direct monitoring of the integration of a viral doubled-stranded (ds) DNA into the host genome. The strand transfer reaction was detected by using two different DNA targets: supercoiled plasmid (pUC 19) and short palindrome oligonucleotide. The effect of the length of the DNA target on the possibility to monitor the actual process of the strand transfer reaction is discussed. The surface density of integrated ds-DNA was determined. IN binding to the oligonucleotide complexes and model DNA triplexes in the presence of various divalent ions as metal cofactors was investigated as well. The assay developed can serve as an important analytical tool to search for potential strand transfer reaction inhibitors as well as for the study of compounds interfering with the binding of ds long terminal repeats-IN complexes with the host DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Vaisocherová
- Institute of Photonics and Electronics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Chaberská 57, 182 51, Prague, Czech Republic
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39
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Jeggo PA. Genomic instability in cancer development. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2008; 570:175-97. [PMID: 18727501 DOI: 10.1007/1-4020-3764-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Penny A Jeggo
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, UK
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40
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Lu CP, Posey JE, Roth DB. Understanding how the V(D)J recombinase catalyzes transesterification: distinctions between DNA cleavage and transposition. Nucleic Acids Res 2008; 36:2864-73. [PMID: 18375979 PMCID: PMC2396405 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkn128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rag1 and Rag2 proteins initiate V(D)J recombination by introducing site-specific DNA double-strand breaks. Cleavage occurs by nicking one DNA strand, followed by a one-step transesterification reaction that forms a DNA hairpin structure. A similar reaction allows Rag transposition, in which the 3'-OH groups produced by Rag cleavage are joined to target DNA. The Rag1 active site DDE triad clearly plays a catalytic role in both cleavage and transposition, but no other residues in Rag1 responsible for transesterification have been identified. Furthermore, although Rag2 is essential for both cleavage and transposition, the nature of its involvement is unknown. Here, we identify basic amino acids in the catalytic core of Rag1 specifically important for transesterification. We also show that some Rag1 mutants with severe defects in hairpin formation nonetheless catalyze substantial levels of transposition. Lastly, we show that a catalytically defective Rag2 mutant is impaired in target capture and displays a novel form of coding flank sensitivity. These findings provide the first identification of components of Rag1 that are specifically required for transesterification and suggest an unexpected role for Rag2 in DNA cleavage and transposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine P Lu
- Program in Molecular Pathogenesis, Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
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41
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Nishihara T, Nagawa F, Imai T, Sakano H. RAG-heptamer interaction in the synaptic complex is a crucial biochemical checkpoint for the 12/23 recombination rule. J Biol Chem 2007; 283:4877-85. [PMID: 18089566 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m709890200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In V(D)J recombination, the RAG1 and RAG2 protein complex cleaves the recombination signal sequences (RSSs), generating a hairpin structure at the coding end. The cleavage occurs only between two RSSs with different spacer lengths of 12 and 23 bp. Here we report that in the synaptic complex, recombination-activating gene (RAG) proteins interact with the 7-mer and unstack the adjacent base in the coding region. We generated a RAG1 mutant that exhibits reduced RAG-7-mer interaction, unstacking of the coding base, and hairpin formation. Mutation of the 23-RSS at the first position of the 7-mer, which has been reported to impair the cleavage of the partner 12-RSS, demonstrated phenotypes similar to those of the RAG1 mutant; the RAG interaction and base unstacking in the partner 12-RSS are reduced. We propose that the RAG-7-mer interaction is a critical step for coding DNA distortion and hairpin formation in the context of the 12/23 rule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Nishihara
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
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42
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Liu Y, Subrahmanyam R, Chakraborty T, Sen R, Desiderio S. A plant homeodomain in RAG-2 that binds Hypermethylated lysine 4 of histone H3 is necessary for efficient antigen-receptor-gene rearrangement. Immunity 2007; 27:561-71. [PMID: 17936034 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2007.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2007] [Revised: 09/11/2007] [Accepted: 09/13/2007] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
V(D)J recombination is initiated by the recombination activating gene (RAG) proteins RAG-1 and RAG-2. The ability of antigen-receptor-gene segments to undergo V(D)J recombination is correlated with spatially- and temporally-restricted chromatin modifications. We have found that RAG-2 bound specifically to histone H3 and that this binding was absolutely dependent on dimethylation or trimethylation at lysine 4 (H3K4me2 or H3K4me3). The interaction required a noncanonical plant homeodomain (PHD) that had previously been described within the noncore region of RAG-2. Binding of the RAG-2 PHD finger to chromatin across the IgH D-J(H)-C locus showed a strong correlation with the distribution of trimethylated histone H3 K4. Mutation of a conserved tryptophan residue in the RAG-2 PHD finger abolished binding to H3K4me3 and greatly impaired recombination of extrachromosomal and endogenous immunoglobulin gene segments. Together, these findings are consistent with the interpretation that recognition of hypermethylated histone H3 K4 promotes efficient V(D)J recombination in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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43
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Ciubotaru M, Kriatchko AN, Swanson PC, Bright FV, Schatz DG. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis of recombination signal sequence configuration in the RAG1/2 synaptic complex. Mol Cell Biol 2007; 27:4745-58. [PMID: 17470556 PMCID: PMC1951485 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00177-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A critical step in V(D)J recombination is the synapsis of complementary (12/23) recombination signal sequences (RSSs) by the RAG1 and RAG2 proteins to generate the paired complex (PC). Using a facilitated ligation assay and substrates that vary the helical phasing of the RSSs, we provide evidence that one particular geometric configuration of the RSSs is favored in the PC. To investigate this configuration further, we used fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) to detect the synapsis of fluorescently labeled RSS oligonucleotides. FRET requires an appropriate 12/23 RSS pair, a divalent metal ion, and high-mobility-group protein HMGB1 or HMGB2. Energy transfer between the RSSs was detected with all 12/23 RSS end positions of the fluorescent probes but was not detected when probes were placed on the two ends of the same RSS. Energy transfer was confirmed to originate from the PC by using an in-gel FRET assay. The results argue against a unique planar configuration of the RSSs in the PC and are most easily accommodated by models in which synapsed 12- and 23-RSSs are bent and cross one another, with implications for the organization of the RAG proteins and the DNA substrates at the time of cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihai Ciubotaru
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Immunibiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8011, USA
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44
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Abstract
This review considers a crucially new mechanism of T-cell antigen-recognizing repertoire formation. It includes the revision of T-cell antigen receptor (TCR), which implies the secondary rearrangement of TCR genes in peripheral T-lymphocytes and surface expression of a new antigen receptor with altered specificity. Factors and mechanisms involved in the induction of this process have been analyzed. Certain attention is paid to a possible role of TCR revision in the formation of peripheral tolerance in the processes of "avidity maturation" of T-lymphocytes during immune response and also negative consequences related to appearance of potentially autoreactive clones in the periphery.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Kuklina
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, 614081, Russia.
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45
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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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Affiliation(s)
- D G Schatz
- Section of Immunobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8011, USA.
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46
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Abstract
A clonally diverse anticipatory repertoire in which each lymphocyte bears a unique antigen receptor is the central feature of the adaptive immune system that evolved in our vertebrate ancestors. The survival advantage gained through adding this type of adaptive immune system to a pre-existing innate immune system led to the evolution of alternative ways for lymphocytes to generate diverse antigen receptors for use in recognizing and repelling pathogen invaders. All jawed vertebrates assemble their antigen-receptor genes through recombinatorial rearrangement of different immunoglobulin or T cell receptor gene segments. The surviving jawless vertebrates, lampreys and hagfish, instead solved the receptor diversification problem by the recombinatorial assembly of leucine-rich-repeat genetic modules to encode variable lymphocyte receptors. The convergent evolution of these remarkably different adaptive immune systems involved innovative genetic modification of innate-immune-system components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max D Cooper
- Division of Developmental and Clinical Immunology, Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Pediatrics, and Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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Dudley DD, Chaudhuri J, Bassing CH, Alt FW. Mechanism and control of V(D)J recombination versus class switch recombination: similarities and differences. Adv Immunol 2006; 86:43-112. [PMID: 15705419 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2776(04)86002-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
V(D)J recombination is the process by which the variable region exons encoding the antigen recognition sites of receptors expressed on B and T lymphocytes are generated during early development via somatic assembly of component gene segments. In response to antigen, somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination (CSR) induce further modifications of immunoglobulin genes in B cells. CSR changes the IgH constant region for an alternate set that confers distinct antibody effector functions. SHM introduces mutations, at a high rate, into variable region exons, ultimately allowing affinity maturation. All of these genomic alteration processes require tight regulatory control mechanisms, both to ensure development of a normal immune system and to prevent potentially oncogenic processes, such as translocations, caused by errors in the recombination/mutation processes. In this regard, transcription of substrate sequences plays a significant role in target specificity, and transcription is mechanistically coupled to CSR and SHM. However, there are many mechanistic differences in these reactions. V(D)J recombination proceeds via precise DNA cleavage initiated by the RAG proteins at short conserved signal sequences, whereas CSR and SHM are initiated over large target regions via activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)-mediated DNA deamination of transcribed target DNA. Yet, new evidence suggests that AID cofactors may help provide an additional layer of specificity for both SHM and CSR. Whereas repair of RAG-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs) involves the general nonhomologous end-joining DNA repair pathway, and CSR also depends on at least some of these factors, CSR requires induction of certain general DSB response factors, whereas V(D)J recombination does not. In this review, we compare and contrast V(D)J recombination and CSR, with particular emphasis on the role of the initiating enzymes and DNA repair proteins in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darryll D Dudley
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Children's Hospital Boston, CBR Institute for Biomedical Research, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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48
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Abstract
It has been unclear why certain defined DNA regions are consistently sites of chromosomal translocations. Some of these are simply sequences of recognition by endogenous recombination enzymes, but most are not. Recent progress indicates that some of the most common fragile sites in human neoplasm assume non-B DNA structures, namely deviations from the Watson-Crick helix. Because of the single strandedness within these non-B structures, they are vulnerable to structure-specific nucleases. Here we summarize these findings and integrate them with other recent data for non-B structures at sites of consistent constitutional chromosomal translocations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathees C Raghavan
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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49
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Larijani M, Zaheen A, Frieder D, Wang Y, Wu GE, Edelmann W, Martin A. Lack of MSH2 involvement differentiates V(D)J recombination from other non-homologous end joining events. Nucleic Acids Res 2005; 33:6733-42. [PMID: 16314305 PMCID: PMC1297709 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gki983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
V(D)J recombination and class switch recombination are the two DNA rearrangement events used to diversify the mouse and human antibody repertoires. While their double strand breaks (DSBs) are initiated by different mechanisms, both processes use non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) in the repair phase. DNA mismatch repair elements (MSH2/MSH6) have been implicated in the repair of class switch junctions as well as other DNA DSBs that proceed through NHEJ. MSH2 has also been implicated in the regulation of factors such as ATM and the MRN (Mre11, Rad50, Nbs1) complex, which are involved in V(D)J recombination. These findings led us to examine the role of MSH2 in V(D)J repair. Using MSH2−/− and MSH2+/+ mice and cell lines, we show here that all pathways involving MSH2 are dispensable for the generation of an intact pre-immune repertoire by V(D)J recombination. In contrast to switch junctions and other DSBs, the usage of terminal homology in V(D)J junctions is not influenced by MSH2. Thus, whether the repair complex for V(D)J recombination is of a canonical NHEJ type or a separate microhomology-mediated-end joining (MMEJ) type, it does not involve MSH2. This highlights a distinction between the repair of V(D)J recombination and other NHEJ reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mani Larijani
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 5265, Toronto, Canada, M5S 1A8.
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Huttenhuis HBT, Romano N, Van Oosterhoud CN, Taverne-Thiele AJ, Mastrolia L, Van Muiswinkel WB, Rombout JHWM. The ontogeny of mucosal immune cells in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 211:19-29. [PMID: 16328358 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-005-0062-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2005] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The ontogeny of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) immune cells was studied in mucosal organs (intestine, gills and skin) using the monoclonal antibodies WCL38 (intraepithelial lymphocytes), WCL15 (monocytes/macrophages) and WCI12 (B cells). In addition, recombination activating gene 1 expression was examined in the intestine with real time quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization to investigate extrathymic generation of lymphocytes. WCL38(+) intraepithelial lymphocytes (putative T cells) appeared in the intestine at 3 days post-fertilization (dpf), which is shortly after hatching but before feeding, implying an important function at early age. These lymphoid cells appear in the intestine before the observation of the first thymocytes at 3-4 dpf, and together with the expression of recombination activating gene 1 in the intestine, suggests that similar to mammals at least part of these cells are generated in the intestine. WCL15(+)monocytes/macrophages appeared in the lamina propria of the intestine at 7 dpf, but considerably later in the epithelium, while WCI12(+) (B) cells appeared in intestine and gills at 6-7 weeks. From these results it can be concluded that putative T cells occur much earlier than B cells, and that B cells appear much later in the mucosae than in other internal lymphoid organs (2 wpf).
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi B T Huttenhuis
- Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Marijkeweg 40, 6709 PG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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