Title
Evolution of isotype switching
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Date
8-2004
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Animals; Cytidine Deaminase; *Evolution, Molecular; *Gene Rearrangement; Humans; *Immunoglobulin Class Switching; Immunoglobulins; Mice; Variation (Genetics); Vertebrates
Disciplines
Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences | Women's Studies
Abstract
This review discusses evolution of the process of Ig heavy chain class switching, relating it to the first appearance of somatic hypermutation (SHM) of variable region genes. First, we discuss recent findings on the mechanism of class switch recombination (CSR) in mice and humans, and then review the mechanisms of expression of Ig heavy chain isotypes from fishes to mammals. Importantly, activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), which is essential for CSR and somatic hypermutation, is found in fishes. Although at least some fishes are likely to undergo SHM, CSR is highly unlikely to occur in this group. We discuss the first appearance of CSR in amphibians and how it differs in birds and mammals.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Semin Immunol. 2004 Aug;16(4):257-75. Link to article on publisher's site
Related Resources
PubMed ID
15522624
