Collaboration of RAG2 with RAG1-like proteins during the evolution of V(D)J recombination

Generation and Next-Generation Sequencing-Based Characterization of a Large Human Combinatorial Antibody Library

Antibody phage display is a key technology for the discovery and development of target-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for use in research, diagnostics, and therapy. The construction of a high-quality antibody library, with larger and more diverse antibody repertoires, is essential for the successful development of phage display-derived mAbs. In this study, a large human combinatorial single-chain variable fragment library (1.5 × 10¹¹ colonies) was constructed from Epstein-Barr virus-infected human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with a combination of two of the activators of human B cells, the Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist R848 and interleukin-2. Next-generation sequencing analysis with approximately 1.9 × 10⁶ and 2.7 × 10⁶ full-length sequences of heavy chain variable (VH) and κ light chain variable (Vκ) domains, respectively, revealed that the library consists of unique VH (approximately 94%) and Vκ (approximately 91%) sequences with greater diversity than germline sequences. Lastly, multiple unique mAbs with high affinity and broad cross-species reactivity could be isolated from the library against two therapeutically relevant target antigens, validating the library quality. These findings suggest that the novel antibody library we have developed may be useful for the rapid development of target-specific phage display-derived recombinant human mAbs for use in therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Different sea urchin RAG-like genes were domesticated to carry out different functions

The closely linked recombination activating genes (RAG1 and RAG2) in vertebrates encode the core of the RAG recombinase that mediates the V(D)J recombination of the immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes. RAG1 and RAG2 homologues (RAG1L and RAG2L) are present in multiple invertebrate phyla, including mollusks, nemerteans, cnidarians, and sea urchins. However, the function of the invertebrates' RAGL proteins is yet unknown. The sea urchins contain multiple RAGL genes that presumably originated in a common ancestral transposon. In this study, we demonstrated that two different RAG1L genes in the sea urchin Paracentrutus lividus (PlRAG1La and PlRAG1Lb) lost their mobility and, along with PlRAG2L, were fully domesticated to carry out different functions. We found that the examined echinoid RAGL homologues have distinct expression profiles in early developmental stages and in adult tissues. Moreover, the predicted structure of the proteins suggests that while PlRAG1La could maintain its endonuclease activity and create a heterotetramer with PlRAG2L, the PlRAG1Lb adopted a different function that does not include an interaction with DNA nor a collaboration with PlRAG2L. By characterizing the different RAG homologues in the echinoid lineage, we hope to increase the knowledge about the evolution of these genes and shed light on their domestication processes.

Structural insights into the evolution of the RAG recombinase

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

The Role of Transposable Elements of the Human Genome in Neuronal Function and Pathology

Transposable elements (TEs) have been extensively studied for decades. In recent years, the introduction of whole-genome and whole-transcriptome approaches, as well as single-cell resolution techniques, provided a breakthrough that uncovered TE involvement in host gene expression regulation underlying multiple normal and pathological processes. Of particular interest is increased TE activity in neuronal tissue, and specifically in the hippocampus, that was repeatedly demonstrated in multiple experiments. On the other hand, numerous neuropathologies are associated with TE dysregulation. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of literature about the role of TEs in neurons published over the last three decades. The first chapter of the present review describes known mechanisms of TE interaction with host genomes in general, with the focus on mammalian and human TEs; the second chapter provides examples of TE exaptation in normal neuronal tissue, including TE involvement in neuronal differentiation and plasticity; and the last chapter lists TE-related neuropathologies. We sought to provide specific molecular mechanisms of TE involvement in neuron-specific processes whenever possible; however, in many cases, only phenomenological reports were available. This underscores the importance of further studies in this area.

T cell transgressions: Tales of T cell form and function in diverse disease states

Insights into T cell form, function, and dysfunction are rapidly evolving. T cells have remarkably varied effector functions including protecting the host from infection, activating cells of the innate immune system, releasing cytokines and chemokines, and heavily contributing to immunological memory. Under healthy conditions, T cells orchestrate a finely tuned attack on invading pathogens while minimizing damage to the host. The dark side of T cells is that they also exhibit autoreactivity and inflict harm to host cells, creating autoimmunity. The mechanisms of T cell autoreactivity are complex and dynamic. Emerging research is elucidating the mechanisms leading T cells to become autoreactive and how such responses cause or contribute to diverse disease states, both peripherally and within the central nervous system. This review provides foundational information on T cell development, differentiation, and functions. Key T cell subtypes, cytokines that create their effector roles, and sex differences are highlighted. Pathological T cell contributions to diverse peripheral and central disease states, arising from errors in reactivity, are highlighted, with a focus on multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain, and type 1 diabetes.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Promotes Early B Lineage Development and IgA Production in the Lamina Propria in Piglets

Gut microbes play an important role in the development of host B cells. It has been controversial whether GALT is the development site of B cells in pigs. By investigating the relationship between gut microbes and the development of B cells in the GALT of piglets, we found, to our knowledge for the first time, that early B cells exist in the gut lamina propria (LP) in pigs at different ages. We further used Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) to treat piglets. The results showed that LGG promotes the development of the early B lineage, affects the composition of the Ig CDR3 repertoires of B cells, and promotes the production of IgA in the intestinal LP. Additionally, we found that the p40 protein derived from LGG can activate the EGFR/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways, inducing porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) to secrete a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), which promotes IgA production in B cells. Finally, we identified ARF4 and DIF3 as candidates for p40 receptors on IPEC-J2 by GST pull-down, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry analysis, and coimmunoprecipitation. In conclusion, LGG could promote early B cell differentiation and development in the intestinal LP in piglets and might contribute to promoting IgA production via secretion of p40, which interacts with the membrane receptors on IPEC-J2 and induces them to secrete APRIL. Our study will provide insight to aid in better utilization of probiotics to increase human health.

RAG2 abolishes RAG1 aggregation to facilitate V(D)J recombination

RAG1 and RAG2 form a tetramer nuclease to initiate V(D)J recombination in developing T and B lymphocytes. The RAG1 protein evolves from a transposon ancestor and possesses nuclease activity that requires interaction with RAG2. Here, we show that the human RAG1 aggregates in the nucleus in the absence of RAG2, exhibiting an extremely low V(D)J recombination activity. In contrast, RAG2 does not aggregate by itself, but it interacts with RAG1 to disrupt RAG1 aggregates and thereby activate robust V(D)J recombination. Moreover, RAG2 from mouse and zebrafish could not disrupt the aggregation of human RAG1 as efficiently as human RAG2 did, indicating a species-specific regulatory mechanism for RAG1 by RAG2. Therefore, we propose that RAG2 coevolves with RAG1 to release inert RAG1 from aggregates and thereby activate V(D)J recombination to generate diverse antigen receptors in lymphocytes.

DNA End Joining: G0-ing to the Core

Humans have evolved a series of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways to efficiently and accurately rejoin nascently formed pairs of double-stranded DNA ends (DSEs). In G0/G1-phase cells, non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and alternative end joining (A-EJ) operate to support covalent rejoining of DSEs. While NHEJ is predominantly utilized and collaborates extensively with the DNA damage response (DDR) to support pairing of DSEs, much less is known about A-EJ collaboration with DDR factors when NHEJ is absent. Non-cycling lymphocyte progenitor cells use NHEJ to complete V(D)J recombination of antigen receptor genes, initiated by the RAG1/2 endonuclease which holds its pair of targeted DSBs in a synapse until each specified pair of DSEs is handed off to the NHEJ DSB sensor complex, Ku. Similar to designer endonuclease DSBs, the absence of Ku allows for A-EJ to access RAG1/2 DSEs but with random pairing to complete their repair. Here, we describe recent insights into the major phases of DSB end joining, with an emphasis on synapsis and tethering mechanisms, and bring together new and old concepts of NHEJ vs. A-EJ and on RAG2-mediated repair pathway choice.

Guardian of the Genome: An Alternative RAG/Transib Co-Evolution Hypothesis for the Origin of V(D)J Recombination

The appearance of adaptive immunity in jawed vertebrates is termed the immunological 'Big Bang' because of the short evolutionary time over which it developed. Underlying it is the recombination activating gene (RAG)-based V(D)J recombination system, which initiates the sequence diversification of the immunoglobulins and lymphocyte antigen receptors. It was convincingly argued that the RAG1 and RAG2 genes originated from a single transposon. The current dogma postulates that the V(D)J recombination system was established by the split of a primordial vertebrate immune receptor gene into V and J segments by a RAG1/2 transposon, in parallel with the domestication of the same transposable element in a separate genomic locus as the RAG recombinase. Here, based on a new interpretation of previously published data, we propose an alternative evolutionary hypothesis suggesting that two different elements, a RAG1/2 transposase and a Transib transposon invader with RSS-like terminal inverted repeats, co-evolved to work together, resulting in a functional recombination process. This hypothesis offers an alternative understanding of the acquisition of recombinase function by RAGs and the origin of the V(D)J system.

RAG enhances BCR-ABL1-positive leukemic cell growth through its endonuclease activity in vitro and in vivo

BCR-ABL1 gene fusion associated with additional DNA lesions involves the pathogenesis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) from a chronic phase (CP) to a blast crisis of B lymphoid (CML-LBC) lineage and BCR-ABL1+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCR-ABL1+ ALL). The recombination-activating gene RAG1 and RAG2 (collectively, RAG) proteins that assemble a diverse set of antigen receptor genes during lymphocyte development are abnormally expressed in CML-LBC and BCR-ABL1+ ALL. However, the direct involvement of dysregulated RAG in disease progression remains unclear. Here, we generate human wild-type (WT) RAG and catalytically inactive RAG-expressing BCR-ABL1+ and BCR-ABL1- cell lines, respectively, and demonstrate that BCR-ABL1 specifically collaborates with RAG recombinase to promote cell survival in vitro and in xenograft mice models. WT RAG-expressing BCR-ABL1+ cell lines and primary CD34+ bone marrow cells from CML-LBC samples maintain more double-strand breaks (DSB) compared to catalytically inactive RAG-expressing BCR-ABL1+ cell lines and RAG-deficient CML-CP samples, which are measured by γ-H2AX. WT RAG-expressing BCR-ABL1+ cells are biased to repair RAG-mediated DSB by the alternative non-homologous end joining pathway (a-NHEJ), which could contribute genomic instability through increasing the expression of a-NHEJ-related MRE11 and RAD50 proteins. As a result, RAG-expressing BCR-ABL1+ cells decrease sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) by activating BCR-ABL1 signaling but independent of the levels of BCR-ABL1 expression and mutations in the BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase domain. These findings identify a surprising and novel role of RAG in the functional specialization of disease progression in BCR-ABL1+ leukemia through its endonuclease activity.

Radiofrequency EMF irradiation effects on pre-B lymphocytes undergoing somatic recombination

Intense electromagnetic fields (EMFs) induce DNA double stranded breaks (DSBs) in exposed lymphocytes.We study developing pre-B lymphocytes following V(D)J recombination at their Immunoglobulin light chain loci (IgL). Recombination physiologically induces DNA DSBs, and we tested if low doses of EMF irradiation affect this developmental stage. Recombining pre-B cells, were exposed for 48 h to low intensity EMFs (maximal radiative power density flux S of 9.5 µW/cm² and electric field intensity 3 V/m) from waves of frequencies ranging from 720 to 1224 MHz. Irradiated pre-B cells show decreased levels of recombination, reduction which is dependent upon the power dose and most remarkably upon the frequency of the applied EMF. Although 50% recombination reduction cannot be obtained even for an S of 9.5 µW/cm² in cells irradiated at 720 MHz, such an effect is reached in cells exposed to only 0.45 µW/cm² power with 950 and 1000 MHz waves. A maximal four-fold recombination reduction was measured in cells exposed to 1000 MHz waves with S from 0.2 to 4.5 µW/cm² displaying normal levels of γH2AX phosphorylated histone. Our findings show that developing B cells exposure to low intensity EMFs can affect the levels of production and diversity of their antibodies repertoire.

Clinical Manifestations, Mutational Analysis, and Immunological Phenotype in Patients with RAG1/2 Mutations: First Cases Series from Mexico and Description of Two Novel Mutations

Mutations in recombinase activating genes 1 and 2 (RAG1/2) result in human severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). The products of these genes are essential for V(D)J rearrangement of the antigen receptors during lymphocyte development. Mutations resulting in null-recombination activity in RAG1 or RAG2 are associated with the most severe clinical and immunological phenotypes, whereas patients with hypomorphic mutations may develop leaky SCID, including Omenn syndrome (OS). A group of previously unrecognized clinical phenotypes associated with granulomata and/or autoimmunity have been described as a consequence of hypomorphic mutations. Here, we present six patients from unrelated families with missense variants in RAG1 or RAG2. Phenotypes observed in these patients ranged from OS to severe mycobacterial infections and granulomatous disease. Moreover, we report the first evidence of two variants that had not been associated with immunodeficiency. This study represents the first case series of RAG1- or RAG2-deficient patients from Mexico and Latin America.

Transposable element-derived sequences in vertebrate development

Transposable elements (TEs) are major components of all vertebrate genomes that can cause deleterious insertions and genomic instability. However, depending on the specific genomic context of their insertion site, TE sequences can sometimes get positively selected, leading to what are called "exaptation" events. TE sequence exaptation constitutes an important source of novelties for gene, genome and organism evolution, giving rise to new regulatory sequences, protein-coding exons/genes and non-coding RNAs, which can play various roles beneficial to the host. In this review, we focus on the development of vertebrates, which present many derived traits such as bones, adaptive immunity and a complex brain. We illustrate how TE-derived sequences have given rise to developmental innovations in vertebrates and how they thereby contributed to the evolutionary success of this lineage.

Evolutionary Dynamics of Transposable Elements Following a Shared Polyploidization Event in the Tribe Andropogoneae

Both polyploidization and transposable element (TE) activity are known to be major drivers of plant genome evolution. Here, we utilize the Zea-Tripsacum clade to investigate TE activity and accumulation after a shared polyploidization event. Comparisons of TE evolutionary dynamics in various Zea and Tripsacum species, in addition to two closely related diploid species, Urelytrum digitatum and Sorghum bicolor, revealed variation in repeat content among all taxa included in the study. The repeat composition of Urelytrum is more similar to that of Zea and Tripsacum compared to Sorghum, despite the similarity in genome size with the latter. Although LTR-retrotransposons were abundant in all species, we observed an expansion of the copia superfamily, specifically in Z. mays and T. dactyloides, species that have adapted to more temperate environments. Additional analyses of the genomic distribution of these retroelements provided evidence of biased insertions near genes involved in various biological processes including plant development, defense, and macromolecule biosynthesis. Specifically, copia insertions in Zea and T. dactyloides were significantly enriched near genes involved in abiotic stress response, suggesting independent evolution post Zea-Tripsacum divergence. The lack of copia insertions near the orthologous genes in S. bicolor suggests that duplicate gene copies generated during polyploidization may offer novel neutral sites for TEs to insert, thereby providing an avenue for subfunctionalization via TE insertional mutagenesis.

The immunogenetics of sexual parasitism

Sexual parasitism has evolved as a distinctive mode of reproduction among deep-sea anglerfishes. The permanent attachment of males to host females observed in these species represents a form of anatomical joining, which is otherwise unknown in nature. Pronounced modifications to immune facilities are associated with this reproductive trait. The genomes of species with temporarily attaching males lack functional aicda genes that underpin affinity maturation of antibodies. Permanent attachment is associated with additional alterations, culminating in the loss of functional rag genes in some species, abolishing somatic diversification of antigen receptor genes, the hallmark of canonical adaptive immunity. In anglerfishes, coevolution of innate and adaptive immunity has been disentangled, implying that an alternative form of immunity supported the emergence of this evolutionarily successful group of vertebrates.

Identification of RAG-like transposons in protostomes suggests their ancient bilaterian origin

Background

V(D) J recombination is essential for adaptive immunity in jawed vertebrates and is initiated by the RAG1-RAG2 endonuclease. The RAG1 and RAG2 genes are thought to have evolved from a RAGL (RAG-like) transposon containing convergently-oriented RAG1-like (RAG1L) and RAG2-like (RAG2L) genes. Elements resembling this presumptive evolutionary precursor have thus far only been detected convincingly in deuterostomes, leading to the model that the RAGL transposon first appeared in an early deuterostome.

Results

We have identified numerous RAGL transposons in the genomes of protostomes, including oysters and mussels (phylum Mollusca) and a ribbon worm (phylum Nemertea), and in the genomes of several cnidarians. Phylogenetic analyses are consistent with vertical evolution of RAGL transposons within the Bilateria clade and with its presence in the bilaterian ancestor. Many of the RAGL transposons identified in protostomes are intact elements containing convergently oriented RAG1L and RAG2L genes flanked by terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) and target site duplications with striking similarities with the corresponding elements in deuterostomes. In addition, protostome genomes contain numerous intact RAG1L-RAG2L adjacent gene pairs that lack detectable flanking TIRs. Domains and critical active site and structural amino acids needed for endonuclease and transposase activity are present and conserved in many of the predicted RAG1L and RAG2L proteins encoded in protostome genomes.

Conclusions

Active RAGL transposons were present in multiple protostome lineages and many were likely transmitted vertically during protostome evolution. It appears that RAGL transposons were broadly active during bilaterian evolution, undergoing multiple duplication and loss/fossilization events, with the RAGL genes that persist in present day protostomes perhaps constituting both active RAGL transposons and domesticated RAGL genes. Our findings raise the possibility that the RAGL transposon arose earlier in evolution than previously thought, either in an early bilaterian or prior to the divergence of bilaterians and non-bilaterians, and alter our understanding of the evolutionary history of this important group of transposons.

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

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

Functional requirement of terminal inverted repeats for efficient ProtoRAG activity reveals the early evolution of V(D)J recombination

The discovery of ProtoRAG in amphioxus indicated that vertebrate RAG recombinases originated from an ancient transposon. However, the sequences of ProtoRAG terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) were obviously dissimilar to the consensus sequence of mouse 12/23RSS and recombination mediated by ProtoRAG or RAG made them incompatible with each other. Thus, it is difficult to determine whether or how 12/23RSS persisted in the vertebrate RAG system that evolved from the TIRs of ancient RAG transposons. Here, we found that the activity of ProtoRAG is highly dependent on its asymmetric 5′TIR and 3′TIR, which are composed of conserved TR1 and TR5 elements and a partially conserved TRsp element of 27/31 bp to separate them. Similar to the requirements for the recombination signal sequences (RSSs) of RAG recombinase, the first CAC in TR1, the three dinucleotides in TR5 and the specific length of the partially conserved TRsp are important for the efficient recombination activity of ProtoRAG. In addition, the homologous sequences flanking the signal sequences facilitate ProtoRAG- but not RAG-mediated recombination. In addition to the diverged TIRs, two differentiated functional domains in BbRAG1L were defined to coordinate with the divergence between TIRs and RSSs. One of these is the CTT* domain, which facilitates the specific TIR recognition of the BbRAGL complex, and the other is NBD*, which is responsible for DNA binding and the protein stabilization of the BbRAGL complex. Thus, our findings reveal that the functional requirement for ProtoRAG TIRs is similar to that for RSS in RAG-mediated recombination, which not only supports the common origin of ProtoRAG TIRs and RSSs from the asymmetric TIRs of ancient RAG transposons, but also reveals the development of RAG and RAG-like machineries during chordate evolution.

Transcription factor binding at Ig enhancers is linked to somatic hypermutation targeting

Secondary diversification of the Ig repertoire occurs through somatic hypermutation (SHM), gene conversion (GCV), and class switch recombination (CSR)-three processes that are initiated by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). AID targets Ig genes at orders of magnitude higher than the rest of the genome, but the basis for this specificity is poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated that enhancers and enhancer-like sequences from Ig genes are capable of stimulating SHM of neighboring genes in a capacity distinct from their roles in increasing transcription. Here, we use an in vitro proteomics approach to identify E-box, MEF2, Ets, and Ikaros transcription factor family members as potential binders of these enhancers. ChIP assays in the hypermutating Ramos B cell line confirmed that many of these factors bound the endogenous Igλ enhancer and/or the IgH intronic enhancer (Eμ) in vivo. Further investigation using SHM reporter assays identified binding sites for E2A and MEF2B in Eμ and demonstrated an association between loss of factor binding and decreases in the SHM stimulating activity of Eμ mutants. Our results provide novel insights into trans-acting factors that dictate SHM targeting and link their activity to specific DNA binding sites within Ig enhancers.

Analyses of RAG1 and RAG2 genes suggest different evolutionary rates in the Cetacea lineage

V(D)J recombination is a process of somatic recombination catalyzed by proteins encoded by RAG1 and RAG2 genes, both restricted to the genome of jawed vertebrates. Their proteins constitute the enzymatic core of V(D)J recombination machinery and are crucial for jawed vertebrate adaptive immunity. Mammals possess great ecological diversity, and their complex evolutionary history associated with radiation to different environments presented many distinct pathogenic challenges from these different habitats. Cetaceans comprise a mammalian order of fully aquatic mammals that have arisen from a complete terrestrial ancestor and, accordingly, was confronted with challenges from changing environmental pathogens while they transitioned from land to sea. In this study we undertook molecular evolutionary analyses of RAG1 and RAG2 genes, exploring the possible role of natural selection acting on these genes focusing on the cetacean lineage. We performed phylogenetic reconstructions on IQ-TREE, together with selection analyses in the codeml program of the PAML package, and in the FITMODEL program for codon evolution and switching on both the RAG1 and RAG2 genes. Our findings demonstrate that RAG1 and RAG2 remained fairly conserved among tetrapods, with purifying selection acting on both genes, with evidence for a few punctuated shifts in nucleotide substitution rates of both genes along tetrapod evolution. We demonstrate differential evolution in the closely linked genes RAG1 and RAG2 specifically in cetaceans.

Structures of a RAG-like transposase during cut-and-paste transposition

Transposons have played a pivotal role in genome evolution¹ and are believed to be the evolutionary progenitors of the RAG1-RAG2 recombinase², an essential component of the adaptive immune system in jawed vertebrates³. Here we report one crystal and five cryo-electron microscopy structures of a RAG1-like transposase, HzTransib^4,5, that capture the entire transposition process from the apo enzyme to the terminal strand transfer complex with transposon ends covalently joined to target DNA, at resolutions of 3.0–4.6 Å. These structures reveal a butterfly-shaped complex that undergoes two cycles of dramatic conformational changes in which the “wings” of the transposase unfurl to bind substrate DNA, close to execute cleavage, open to release the flanking DNA, and close again to capture and attack target DNA. HzTransib possesses unique structural elements that compensate for the absence of a RAG2 partner including a loop that interacts with the transposition target site and an accordion-like C-terminal tail that elongates and contracts to help control the opening and closing of the enzyme and assembly of the active site. Our findings reveal the reaction pathway of a eukaryotic cut-and-paste transposase in unprecedented detail and illuminate some of the earliest steps in the evolution of the RAG recombinase.

Biological Characteristics of Severe Combined Immunodeficient Mice Produced by CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Rag2 and IL2rg Mutation

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas)9 is a novel and convenient gene editing system that can be used to construct genetically modified animals. Recombination activating gene 2 (Rag2) is a core component that is involved in the initiation of V(D)J recombination during T- and B-cells maturation. Separately, the interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain gene (IL2rg) encoded the protein-regulated activity of natural killer (NK) cells and shared common receptors of some cytokines. Rag2 and IL2rg mutations cause immune system disorders associated with T-, B-, and NK cell function and some cytokine activities. In the present study, 2 single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) targeted on Rag2 and IL2rg genes were microinjected into the zygotes of BALB/c mice with Cas9 messenger RNA (mRNA) to create Rag2/IL2rg^-/- double knockout mice, and the biological characteristics of the mutated mice were subsequently analyzed. The results showed that CRISPR/Cas9-induced indel mutation displaced the frameshift of Rag2 and IL2rg genes, resulting in a decrease in the number of T-, B-, and NK cells and the destruction of immune-related tissues like the thymus and spleen. Mycobacterium tuberculosis 85B antigen could not induce cellular and humoral immune response in mice. However, this aberrant immune activity compromised the growth of several tumor heterogenous grafts in the mutated mice, including orthotopic and subcutaneous transplantation tumors. Thus, Rag2/IL2rg^-/- knockout mice possessed features of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), which is an ideal model for human xenograft.

A cold-blooded view of adaptive immunity

The adaptive immune system arose 500 million years ago in ectothermic (cold-blooded) vertebrates. Classically, the adaptive immune system has been defined by the presence of lymphocytes expressing recombination-activating gene (RAG)-dependent antigen receptors and the MHC. These features are found in all jawed vertebrates, including cartilaginous and bony fish, amphibians and reptiles and are most likely also found in the oldest class of jawed vertebrates, the extinct placoderms. However, with the discovery of an adaptive immune system in jawless fish based on an entirely different set of antigen receptors - the variable lymphocyte receptors - the divergence of T and B cells, and perhaps innate-like lymphocytes, goes back to the origin of all vertebrates. This Review explores how recent developments in comparative immunology have furthered our understanding of the origins and function of the adaptive immune system.

The evolutionary conservation of the bidirectional activity of the NWC gene promoter in jawed vertebrates and the domestication of the RAG transposon

The RAG-1 and RAG-2 genes form a recombinase complex that is indispensable for V(D)J recombination, which generates the diversity of immunoglobulins and T-cell receptors. It is widely accepted that the presence of RAGs in the genomes of jawed vertebrates and other lineages is a result of the horizontal transfer of a mobile genetic element. While a substantial amount of evidence has been gathered that clarifies the nature of the RAG transposon, far less attention has been paid to the genomic site of its integration in various host organisms. In all genomes of the jawed vertebrates that have been studied to date, the RAG genes are located in close proximity to the NWC gene. We have previously shown that the promoter of the murine NWC genes exhibits a bidirectional activity, which may have facilitated the integration and survival of the RAG transposon in the host genome. In this study, we characterise the promoters of the NWC homologues that are present in the representatives of other jawed vertebrates (H. sapiens, X. tropicalis and D. rerio). We show that the features that are characteristic for promoters as the hosts of a successful transposon integration (in terms of the arrangement, bidirectional and constitutive activity and the involvement of the Zfp143 transcription factor in the promoter regulation) are evolutionarily conserved, which indicates that the presence of RAG genes in jawed vertebrates is a direct result of a successful transposon integration into the NWC locus.

Multimerization properties of PiggyMac, a domesticated piggyBac transposase involved in programmed genome rearrangements

During sexual processes, the ciliate Paramecium eliminates 25–30% of germline DNA from its somatic genome. DNA elimination includes excision of ∼45 000 short, single-copy internal eliminated sequences (IESs) and depends upon PiggyMac (Pgm), a domesticated piggyBac transposase that is essential for DNA cleavage at IES ends. Pgm carries a core transposase region with a putative catalytic domain containing three conserved aspartic acids, and a downstream cysteine-rich (CR) domain. A C-terminal extension of unknown function is predicted to adopt a coiled-coil (CC) structure. To address the role of the three domains, we designed an in vivo complementation assay by expressing wild-type or mutant Pgm-GFP fusions in cells depleted for their endogenous Pgm. The DDD triad and the CR domain are essential for Pgm activity and mutations in either domain have a dominant-negative effect in wild-type cells. A mutant lacking the CC domain is partially active in the presence of limiting Pgm amounts, but inactive when Pgm is completely absent, suggesting that presence of the mutant protein increases the overall number of active complexes. We conclude that IES excision involves multiple Pgm subunits, of which at least a fraction must contain the CC domain.

The SpTransformer Gene Family (Formerly Sp185/333) in the Purple Sea Urchin and the Functional Diversity of the Anti-Pathogen rSpTransformer-E1 Protein

The complex innate immune system of sea urchins is underpinned by several multigene families including the SpTransformer family (SpTrf; formerly Sp185/333) with estimates of ~50 members, although the family size is likely variable among individuals of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. The genes are small with similar structure, are tightly clustered, and have several types of repeats in the second of two exons and that surround each gene. The density of repeats suggests that the genes are positioned within regions of genomic instability, which may be required to drive sequence diversification. The second exon encodes the mature protein and is composed of blocks of sequence called elements that are present in mosaics of defined element patterns and are the major source of sequence diversity. The SpTrf genes respond swiftly to immune challenge, but only a single gene is expressed per phagocyte. Many of the mRNAs appear to be edited and encode proteins with altered and/or missense sequence that are often truncated, of which some may be functional. The standard SpTrf protein structure is an N-terminal glycine-rich region, a central RGD motif, a histidine-rich region, and a C-terminal region. Function is predicted from a recombinant protein, rSpTransformer-E1 (rSpTrf-E1), which binds to Vibrio and Saccharomyces, but not to Bacillus, and binds tightly to lipopolysaccharide, β-1,3-glucan, and flagellin, but not to peptidoglycan. rSpTrf-E1 is intrinsically disordered but transforms to α helical structure in the presence of binding targets including lipopolysaccharide, which may underpin the characteristics of binding to multiple targets. SpTrf proteins associate with coelomocyte membranes, and rSpTrf-E1 binds specifically to phosphatidic acid (PA). When rSpTrf-E1 is bound to PA in liposome membranes, it induces morphological changes in liposomes that correlate with PA clustering and leakage of luminal contents, and it extracts or removes PA from the bilayer. The multitasking activities of rSpTrf-E1 infer multiple and perhaps overlapping activities for the hundreds of native SpTrf proteins that are produced by individual sea urchins. This likely generates a flexible and highly protective immune system for the sea urchin in its marine habitat that it shares with broad arrays of microbes that may be pathogens and opportunists.

New insights into the evolutionary origins of the recombination-activating gene proteins and V(D)J recombination

The adaptive immune system of jawed vertebrates relies on V(D)J recombination as one of the main processes to generate the diverse array of receptors necessary for the recognition of a wide range of pathogens. The DNA cleavage reaction necessary for the assembly of the antigen receptor genes from an array of potential gene segments is mediated by the recombination-activating gene proteins RAG1 and RAG2. The RAG proteins have been proposed to originate from a transposable element (TE) as they share mechanistic and structural similarities with several families of transposases and are themselves capable of mediating transposition. A number of RAG-like proteins and TEs with sequence similarity to RAG1 and RAG2 have been identified, but only recently has their function begun to be characterized, revealing mechanistic links to the vertebrate RAGs. Of particular significance is the discovery of ProtoRAG, a transposon superfamily found in the genome of the basal chordate amphioxus. ProtoRAG has many of the sequence and mechanistic features predicted for the ancestral RAG transposon and is likely to be an evolutionary relative of RAG1 and RAG2. In addition, early observations suggesting that RAG1 is able to mediate V(D)J recombination in the absence of RAG2 have been confirmed, implying independent evolutionary origins for the two RAG genes. Here, recent progress in identifying and characterizing RAG-like proteins and the TEs that encode them is summarized and a refined model for the evolution of V(D)J recombination and the RAG proteins is presented.

The RAG recombinase: Beyond breaking

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.

Evidence of G.O.D.'s Miracle: Unearthing a RAG Transposon

Diversity of antibodies and T cell receptors is generated by gene rearrangement dependent on RAG1 and RAG2, enzymes predicted to have been derived from a transposable element (TE) that invaded an immunoglobulin superfamily gene early in the evolution of jawed vertebrates. Now, Huang et al. report the discovery of ProtoRAG in the lower chordate Amphioxus, the long-anticipated TE related to the RAG transposon.

Evolving adaptive immunity

Lovely and Sen discuss new insight from Carmona et al. (this issue) on the origin and function of the recombination-activating gene 1 (RAG1) and RAG2 in V(D)J recombination.

Generation of a diverse repertoire of antigen receptor specificities via DNA recombination underpins adaptive immunity. In this issue of Genes & Development, Carmona and colleagues (pp. 909–917) provide novel insights into the origin and function of recombination-activating gene 1 (RAG1) and RAG2, the lymphocyte-specific components of the recombinase involved in the process.