title: Genetic evidence that the RAG1 protein directly participates in V(D)J recombination through substrate recognition.
abstract: RAG1 protein is essential for the activation of V(D)J recombination in developing lymphocytes (V, variable; D, diversity; J, joining). However, it has not been determined whether its role involves substrate recognition and catalysis. A single amino acid substitution mutation in the RAG1 gene has now been identified that renders its activity sensitive to the sequence of the coding region abutting the heptamer site in the recombination signal sequence. These results strongly imply that RAG1 interacts directly with DNA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Roman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baltimore
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015322:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D011506:Proteins; C064658:RAG-1 protein