Cut-and-Run: A Distinct Mechanism by which V(D)J Recombination Causes Genome Instability.
Loading...
Embargo End Date
ICR Authors
Authors
Kirkham, CM
Scott, JNF
Wang, X
Smith, AL
Kupinski, AP
Ford, AM
Westhead, DR
Stockley, PG
Tuma, R
Boyes, J
Scott, JNF
Wang, X
Smith, AL
Kupinski, AP
Ford, AM
Westhead, DR
Stockley, PG
Tuma, R
Boyes, J
Document Type
Journal Article
Date
2019-05-02
Date Accepted
2019-02-14
Abstract
V(D)J recombination is essential to generate antigen receptor diversity but is also a potent cause of genome instability. Many chromosome alterations that result from aberrant V(D)J recombination involve breaks at single recombination signal sequences (RSSs). A long-standing question, however, is how such breaks occur. Here, we show that the genomic DNA that is excised during recombination, the excised signal circle (ESC), forms a complex with the recombinase proteins to efficiently catalyze breaks at single RSSs both in vitro and in vivo. Following cutting, the RSS is released while the ESC-recombinase complex remains intact to potentially trigger breaks at further RSSs. Consistent with this, chromosome breaks at RSSs increase markedly in the presence of the ESC. Notably, these breaks co-localize with those found in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and occur at key cancer driver genes. We have named this reaction "cut-and-run" and suggest that it could be a significant cause of lymphocyte genome instability.
Citation
Molecular cell, 2019, 74 (3), pp. 584 - 597.e9
Source Title
Publisher
CELL PRESS
ISSN
1097-2765
eISSN
1097-4164
Collections
Research Team
Biology of Childhood Leukaemia