A new view of V(D)J recombination.
The DNA rearrangement that assembles antibody and T cell receptor genes is beginning to be understood. New work shows that the first step is a site-specific cleavage which can be performed by purified RAG1 and RAG2 proteins. The later steps largely overlap with the repair of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks, as indicated by the identity of several newly cloned factors. These developments open the way for a thorough biochemical study of V(D)J recombination.
Gellert
M
M
Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-0540, USA.
D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D011946:Receptors, Antigen / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D011946:Receptors, Antigen; C064655:V(D)J recombination activating protein 2; C064658:RAG-1 protein