S-S synapsis during class switch recombination is promoted by distantly located transcriptional elements and activation-induced deaminase

Immunity. 2007 Nov;27(5):711-22. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2007.09.007. Epub 2007 Nov 1.

Abstract

Molecular mechanisms underlying synapsis of activation-induced deaminase (AID)-targeted S regions during class switch recombination (CSR) are poorly understood. By using chromosome conformation capture techniques, we found that in B cells, the Emicro and 3'Ealpha enhancers were in close spatial proximity, forming a unique chromosomal loop configuration. B cell activation led to recruitment of the germline transcript (GLT) promoters to the Emicro:3'Ealpha complex in a cytokine-dependent fashion. This structure facilitated S-S synapsis because Smicro was proximal to Emicro and a downstream S region was corecruited with the targeted GLT promoter to Emicro:3'Ealpha. We propose that GLT promoter association with the Emicro:3'Ealpha complex creates an architectural scaffolding that promotes S-S synapsis during CSR and that these interactions are stabilized by AID. Thus, the S-S synaptosome is formed as a result of the self-organizing transcription system that regulates GLT expression and may serve to guard against spurious chromosomal translocations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromosome Pairing / genetics*
  • Cytidine Deaminase / genetics
  • Cytidine Deaminase / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Genes, Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain*
  • Immunoglobulin Class Switching / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulin Switch Region / genetics*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional / genetics*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • AICDA (activation-induced cytidine deaminase)
  • Cytidine Deaminase