Testing the reverse transcriptase model of somatic mutation

Stephen Z. Sack, Philip D. Bardwell, Matthew D. Scharff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Somatic hypermutation of the variable (V) regions of rearranged immunoglobulin genes leads to antibody affinity maturation. Although this process has been extensively studied, the mechanisms responsible for these multiple point mutations are still elusive. One mechanism that was proposed over 10 years ago by Steele and Pollard was that an intrinsic reverse transcriptase (RT) copies the nascent mRNA creating the large number of observed point mutations due to its high error rate. A cDNA copy of the mutated V region would then replace the endogenous DNA through a gene conversion-like event, thus integrating these point mutations into the genome. This model of hypermutation would account for the very high mutation rate, the presence of hotspots, strand bias, the requirement for transcription and localization of mutation within the immunoglobulin V region. Using AZT and ddC to inhibit endogenous RTs, we have assayed for somatic mutation using a murine in vivo model. Somatic mutation occurred at similar frequencies and with the same characteristics with or without treatment of RT inhibitors, suggesting that standard reverse transcription is not required for antibody V region hypermutation in the mouse.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)303-311
Number of pages9
JournalMolecular Immunology
Volume38
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Antibodies
  • B lymphocytes
  • Generation of diversity
  • MRNA

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Testing the reverse transcriptase model of somatic mutation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this