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Expression and function of recombination activating genes in mature B cells
1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Okayama University, Tsushima-Naka, Japan.
Critical Reviews in Immunology
|June 24, 1998
Summary
Mature B cells can re-express recombination activating genes (RAG-1 and RAG-2) in germinal centers, enabling secondary gene rearrangement and contributing to antibody diversification and selection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Recombination activating genes (RAG-1 and RAG-2) are crucial for immunoglobulin and T cell receptor gene rearrangement during lymphocyte development.
- RAG expression is typically downregulated in mature lymphocytes, with gene rearrangement thought to occur exclusively during early development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on RAG protein expression and function in mature B cells.
- To discuss the role of RAG proteins in the diversification and selection of the B cell repertoire within germinal centers.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on RAG gene expression and function.
- Analysis of studies investigating B cell localization and activity in germinal centers.
- Characterization of RAG protein activity in mature B cells.
Main Results:
- Mature B cells in peripheral lymphoid tissues can re-express RAG-1 and RAG-2 proteins after immunization.
- RAG-expressing B cells are found in germinal centers, sites of antibody diversification.
- Induced RAG proteins are functional, mediating secondary immunoglobulin gene rearrangement (receptor editing) in mature B cells.
Conclusions:
- Germinal centers may function as primary lymphoid tissues due to RAG re-expression and activity.
- RAG-mediated secondary rearrangement in mature B cells contributes to antibody repertoire diversification and selection.
- RAG proteins play a significant role in shaping the B cell repertoire beyond initial development.