V(D)J recombination and ataxia-telangiectasia: a review.
I review one aspect of the A-T phenotype, the remarkable and fascinating increase of lymphocytes carrying chromosomal aberrations caused by V(D)J site-specific recombination. The review is organized to first present the facts of V(D)J recombination and the findings in this regard in A-T patients. Other populations that demonstrate similar increases in such chromosomal aberrations are then presented and a hypothesis is offered as to the basis and relevance of these increases vis-à-vis A-T. The contribution of V(D)J recombination to the clonal proliferations and frank lymphoid malignancies seen in A-T patients is briefly discussed. I conclude with some speculative comments extending the observations presented into a more global consideration of a possible function of an A-T gene.
National Cancer Institute, Navy Medical Oncology Branch, Bethesda, MD 20889-5105.
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Kirsch
D001260:Ataxia Telangiectasia / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D006801:Humans; D007133:Immunoglobulin Joining Region / Q000235:genetics*; D007134:Immunoglobulin Switch Region / Q000235:genetics; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D007133:Immunoglobulin Joining Region; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region