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Differential accessibility at the κ chain locus plays a role in allelic exclusion
Author(s) -
Goldmit Maya,
Schlissel Mark,
Cedar Howard,
Bergman Yehudit
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1093/emboj/cdf518
Subject(s) - biology , allele , genetics , locus (genetics) , differential (mechanical device) , gene , engineering , aerospace engineering
Gene rearrangement in the immune system is always preceded by DNA demethylation and increased chromatin accessibility. Using a model system in which rearrangement of the endogenous immunoglobulin κ locus is prevented, we demonstrate that these epigenetic and chromatin changes actually occur on one allele with a higher probability than the other. It may be this process that, together with feedback inhibition, serves as the basis for allelic exclusion.