V(D)J recombination

(noun)

Also known as somatic recombination, this is a mechanism of genetic recombination in the early stages of immunoglobulin (Ig) and T cell receptors (TCR) production of the immune system.

Related Terms

Examples of V(D)J recombination in the following topics:

  • Antibody Genes and Diversity

    • The first stage is called somatic, or V(D)J, which stands for variable, diverse, and joining regions recombination.
    • V(D)J recombination takes place in the primary lymphoid tissue (bone marrow for B cells, and thymus for T cells) and nearly randomly combines variable, diverse, and joining gene segments.
    • The second stage of recombination occurs after the B cell is activated by an antigen.
    • Affinity maturation occurs after V(D)J recombination, and is dependent on help from helper T cells.
    • Outline the two stages which result in antibody diversity: somatic (V(D)J) and recombination stages

  • Clonal Selection of Antibody-Producing Cells

    • Each lymphocyte bears a single type of receptor with a unique specificity (by V(D)J recombination).

  • Double-Stranded DNA Viruses: Adenoviruses

    • Among human-tropic viruses classification can be complex; there are 57 accepted human adenovirus types (HAdV-1 to 57) in seven species (Human adenovirus A to G).
    • Adenovirus is used as a vehicle to administer targeted therapy in the form of recombinant DNA or protein.