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Chromosome choice for initiation of V–(D)–J recombination is not governed by genomic imprinting
Author(s) -
Gebert Claudia,
Correia Lauren,
Li Zhenhu,
Petrie Howard T,
Love Paul E,
Pfeifer Karl
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.2017.1
Subject(s) - allelic exclusion , genomic imprinting , v(d)j recombination , allele , genetics , biology , recombination , imprinting (psychology) , mitotic crossover , gene , t cell receptor , immune system , t cell , dna methylation , gene expression
V–(D)–J recombination generates the antigen receptor diversity necessary for immune cell function, while allelic exclusion ensures that each cell expresses a single antigen receptor. V–(D)–J recombination of the Ig , Tcrb , Tcrg and Tcrd antigen receptor genes is ordered and sequential so that only one allele generates a productive rearrangement. The mechanism controlling sequential rearrangement of antigen receptor genes, in particular how only one allele is selected to initiate recombination while at least temporarily leaving the other intact, remains unresolved. Genomic imprinting, a widespread phenomenon wherein maternal or paternal allele inheritance determines allele activity, could represent a regulatory mechanism for controlling sequential V–(D)–J rearrangement. We used strain‐specific single‐nucleotide polymorphisms within antigen receptor genes to determine if maternal vs paternal inheritance could underlie chromosomal choice for the initiation of recombination. We found no parental chromosomal bias in the initiation of V–(D)–J recombination in T or B cells, eliminating genomic imprinting as a potential regulator for this tightly regulated process.