Article Abstract:
The recombination-activating genes RAG1 and RAG2 are necessary for recognition and cleavage at V(D)J recombination signal sequences. The initial step in the reaction involves the formation of a notch at the 5' end of the signal sequence. The second strand is broken in the next step giving rise to a hairpin structure at the coding end and a blunt structure at the 5' end. The V(D)J recombination process links immunoglobulins and T cell receptor cells from different gene segments.
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Article Abstract:
A study was conducted to determine if RAG1 and RAG2 proteins can drive the coupled insertion of cleaved recombination signals in a transpositional reaction. The findings confirmed the feasibility of the RAG-mediated DNA transfer. Moreover, it was observed that the expansion of the antigen receptor loci may have been caused by repeated transposition. Adequate evidence regarding the evolution of the V(D)J recombination system from an ancient mobile DNA element was also unearthed.
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Article Abstract:
The interplay of the RAG1 and RAG2 proteins with the V(D)J recombination sequence in a band shift assay is investigated. Both proteins are observed to bind specifically to the sequence, forming a stable protein-DNA complex. Complex formation becomes effective only when the proteins and a divalent metal ion are present. RAG1 and RAG2 show a 50-fold preference for the recombination signal sequences over an unrelated DNA sequence.
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