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Identification of V(D)J recombination coding end intermediates in normal thymocytes
1Section of Immunology, Yale Medical School, New Haven, CT 06520-8011, USA.
Journal of Molecular Biology
|March 21, 1997
Summary
Somatic gene rearrangement in V(D)J recombination creates DNA breaks. This study identifies processed, non-hairpin coding ends in normal thymocytes, challenging prior in vivo findings.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Vertebrate antigen receptor diversity relies on V(D)J recombination.
- This process involves double-strand breaks at recombination signal sequences (RSS).
- Coding ends are typically hairpin structures in vitro and in some in vivo cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize T cell receptor J alpha gene coding ends in normal murine thymocytes.
- To investigate the in vivo structure of coding ends during V(D)J recombination in normal lymphoid precursors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of T cell receptor J alpha gene coding ends in normal murine thymocytes.
- Characterization of the processing and termination of these coding ends.
Main Results:
- T cell receptor J alpha gene coding ends were identified in normal murine thymocytes.
- These coding ends were found to be processed, not blunt.
- Most identified coding ends were not hairpin terminated, contrasting with previous observations.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first direct evidence of V(D)J recombination coding ends in normal lymphoid precursors.
- The findings suggest a different mechanism for coding joint formation in vivo than previously understood.