Initiation of V(D)J recombination in a cell-free system.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 7781069.
- No licence information is recorded for this record.
- Because redistribution is not established, this page shows the abstract only. Follow the links below for the full text.
Abstract
Cells performing V(D)J recombination make specific cuts in DNA at recombination signal sequences. Here, we show that nuclear extracts of pre-B cell lines carry out this specific cleavage. The products of cleavage are the same as found previously in thymocytes: full-length, blunt, 5'-phosphorylated signal ends, and covalently sealed (hairpin) coding ends. A complete signal sequence is required. Recombinant RAG1 protein greatly increases activity and complements an inactive extract from a RAG1 (-/-) pre-B cell line. When the extracts are fractionated, cleavage activity correlates with the presence of RAG2 protein. These results suggest that RAG1 and RAG2 are components of the V(D)J recombinase.
Medical subject headings
- DNA-Binding Proteins
- Genes, Immunoglobulin
- Homeodomain Proteins
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
- Recombination, Genetic