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Conservation of sequence in recombination signal sequence spacers
1Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Nucleic Acids Research
|May 25, 1994
Summary
The recombination signal sequence (RSS) is crucial for V(D)J rearrangement. New analysis reveals significant sequence conservation within RSS spacers, challenging previous assumptions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Variable domains of immunoglobulins and T cell receptors assemble via V(D)J rearrangement.
- Recombination signal sequences (RSS) mediate this process by targeting V(D)J machinery to germline segments.
- RSS were previously characterized by conserved heptamer and nonamer motifs separated by non-conserved spacers of 12 or 23 bp.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive analysis of published RSS.
- To derive a more detailed description of RSS structure through consensus comparison.
- To investigate sequence conservation within RSS spacers.
Main Methods:
- Assembled an extensive database of published RSS.
- Performed consensus comparison analysis on the RSS database.
Main Results:
- Identified significant sequence conservation within RSS spacers.
- Found that conserved sequences in 12 bp spacers resemble the first half of 23 bp spacers.
- Provided a more detailed description of RSS structure than previously reported.
Conclusions:
- RSS spacers are not random but possess conserved sequences.
- The conserved sequences in 12 bp and 23 bp RSS spacers share similarities.
- This detailed understanding of RSS structure may impact future research in V(D)J recombination and immunology.