Evidence of G.O.D.'s Miracle: Unearthing a RAG Transposon

Martin F Flajnik

doi:10.1016/j.cell.2016.06.021

Evidence of G.O.D.'s Miracle: Unearthing a RAG Transposon

Cell. 2016 Jun 30;166(1):11-2. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.06.021.

Author

Martin F Flajnik¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland Baltimore, 685 West Baltimore St., Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. Electronic address: mflajnik@som.umaryland.edu.

Abstract

Diversity of antibodies and T cell receptors is generated by gene rearrangement dependent on RAG1 and RAG2, enzymes predicted to have been derived from a transposable element (TE) that invaded an immunoglobulin superfamily gene early in the evolution of jawed vertebrates. Now, Huang et al. report the discovery of ProtoRAG in the lower chordate Amphioxus, the long-anticipated TE related to the RAG transposon.

Publication types

Comment

MeSH terms

Animals
DNA Transposable Elements
DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
Evolution, Molecular*
Gene Rearrangement
Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
Humans
Vertebrates / genetics

Substances

DNA Transposable Elements
DNA-Binding Proteins
Homeodomain Proteins

Grants and funding

R01 OD010549/OD/NIH HHS/United States