V(D)J recombination and the evolution of the adaptive immune system

PLoS Biol. 2003 Oct;1(1):E16. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0000016. Epub 2003 Oct 13.

Abstract

In order for the immune system to generate its vast numbers of receptors, B- and T-cell receptor genes are created by recombining preexisting gene segments. This well- coordinated set of reactions is explained

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Rearrangement
  • Humans
  • Immune System / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Biological
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / physiology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / physiology*
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Translocation, Genetic
  • VDJ Recombinases / metabolism
  • VDJ Recombinases / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • VDJ Recombinases