Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

Recombinant Retroviral Production and Infection of B Cells
Published on: February 19, 2011
RAG1 mediates signal sequence recognition and recruitment of RAG2 in V(D)J recombination
M J Difilippantonio1, C J McMahan, Q M Eastman
1Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8011, USA.
Abstract:
Recent studies have demonstrated that DNA cleavage during V(D)J recombination is mediated by the RAG1 and RAG2 proteins. These proteins must therefore bind to the recombination signals, but the specific binding interaction has been difficult to study in vitro. Here, we use an in vivo one-hybrid DNA binding assay to demonstrate that RAG1, in the absence of RAG2, can mediate signal recognition via the nonamer, with the heptamer acting to enhance its binding. A region of RAG1 with sequence similarity to bacterial invertases is essential for DNA binding. Localization of RAG2 to the signal is dependent upon the presence of RAG1 and is substantially more efficient with a 12 bp spacer signal than with a 23 bp spacer signal.
Related Concept Videos
Rab Proteins
Rab proteins switch between a cytosolic, GDP-bound inactive state and a membrane-anchored, GTP-bound active state. By themselves, Rabs show slow rates of GDP/GTP exchange and GTP hydrolysis. Thus, Rab proteins are considered...
Directing Proteins to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Diversity of Antigen Receptors
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...

