V(D)J recombination: Born to be wild

Semin Cancer Biol. 2010 Aug;20(4):254-60. doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2010.06.002. Epub 2010 Jul 1.

Abstract

Vertebrates employ V(D)J recombination to generate diversity for an adaptive immune response. Born of a transposon, V(D)J recombination could conceivably cause more trouble than its worth. However, of the two steps required for transposon mobility (excision and integration) this particular transposon's integration step appears mostly blocked in cells. The employment of a transposon as raw material to develop adaptive immunity was thus a less-risky choice than it might have been … but is it completely risk-free?

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics
  • DNA Transposable Elements / physiology
  • Gene Rearrangement / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Recombination, Genetic*
  • VDJ Recombinases / genetics
  • VDJ Recombinases / metabolism
  • VDJ Recombinases / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • VDJ Recombinases