title: Somatic mutation. From the dark zone to the light.
abstract: The affinity maturation of antibodies that occurs during immune responses to protein antigens involves site-directed hypermutation of immunoglobulin variable-region genes that is activated in germinal centres.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University of Birmingham Medical School, UK.
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: MacLennan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D006801:Humans; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region