Biomaterial Database

The end-joining reaction in V(D)J recombination. 1997

V Smider, and G Chu

Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, CA 94305, USA.

V(D)J recombination consists of a DNA cleavage reaction catalysed by RAG1 and RAG2, followed by an end-joining reaction that utilizes the cell's double-strand break repair machinery. Genes essential for the end-joining reaction include: XRCC4 encoding a protein of unknown enzymatic function; XRCC5 and XRCC6 encoding 86 and 70 kDa subunits of the Ku autoantigen, a DNA end-binding protein that is also the regulatory subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK); and XRCC7 encoding the catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) of DNA-PK. Recent progress in understanding the cleavage reaction, coupled with what was previously known about Ku, DNA-PK, and double-strand break repair, provide the foundation for a working model of how V(D)J recombination might be catalysed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008957	Models, Genetic	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of genetic processes or phenomena. They include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Genetic Models,Genetic Model,Model, Genetic
D009154	Mutation	Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations.	Mutations
D009687	Nuclear Proteins	Proteins found in the nucleus of a cell. Do not confuse with NUCLEOPROTEINS which are proteins conjugated with nucleic acids, that are not necessarily present in the nucleus.	Nucleolar Protein,Nucleolar Proteins,Nuclear Protein,Protein, Nuclear,Protein, Nucleolar,Proteins, Nuclear,Proteins, Nucleolar
D011946	Receptors, Antigen	Molecules on the surface of B- and T-lymphocytes that recognize and combine with specific antigens.	Antigen Receptors,Antigen Receptor,Receptor, Antigen
D011995	Recombination, Genetic	Production of new arrangements of DNA by various mechanisms such as assortment and segregation, CROSSING OVER; GENE CONVERSION; GENETIC TRANSFORMATION; GENETIC CONJUGATION; GENETIC TRANSDUCTION; or mixed infection of viruses.	Genetic Recombination,Recombination,Genetic Recombinations,Recombinations,Recombinations, Genetic
D004247	DNA	A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine).	DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D004260	DNA Repair	The removal of DNA LESIONS and/or restoration of intact DNA strands without BASE PAIR MISMATCHES, intrastrand or interstrand crosslinks, or discontinuities in the DNA sugar-phosphate backbones.	DNA Damage Response
D004265	DNA Helicases	Proteins that catalyze the unwinding of duplex DNA during replication by binding cooperatively to single-stranded regions of DNA or to short regions of duplex DNA that are undergoing transient opening. In addition, DNA helicases are DNA-dependent ATPases that harness the free energy of ATP hydrolysis to translocate DNA strands.	ATP-Dependent DNA Helicase,DNA Helicase,DNA Unwinding Protein,DNA Unwinding Proteins,ATP-Dependent DNA Helicases,DNA Helicase A,DNA Helicase E,DNA Helicase II,DNA Helicase III,ATP Dependent DNA Helicase,ATP Dependent DNA Helicases,DNA Helicase, ATP-Dependent,DNA Helicases, ATP-Dependent,Helicase, ATP-Dependent DNA,Helicase, DNA,Helicases, ATP-Dependent DNA,Helicases, DNA,Protein, DNA Unwinding,Unwinding Protein, DNA,Unwinding Proteins, DNA
D004268	DNA-Binding Proteins	Proteins which bind to DNA. The family includes proteins which bind to both double- and single-stranded DNA and also includes specific DNA binding proteins in serum which can be used as markers for malignant diseases.	DNA Helix Destabilizing Proteins,DNA-Binding Protein,Single-Stranded DNA Binding Proteins,DNA Binding Protein,DNA Single-Stranded Binding Protein,SS DNA BP,Single-Stranded DNA-Binding Protein,Binding Protein, DNA,DNA Binding Proteins,DNA Single Stranded Binding Protein,DNA-Binding Protein, Single-Stranded,Protein, DNA-Binding,Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein,Single Stranded DNA Binding Proteins
D005075	Biological Evolution	The process of cumulative change over successive generations through which organisms acquire their distinguishing morphological and physiological characteristics.	Evolution, Biological