1. VDJ Recombination Cell Volume 94, Issue 4, Pages 411-414 (August 1998)
David B Roth, Nancy L Craig 
Cell 
Volume 94, Issue 4, Pages (August 1998)
DOI: /S (00)

2. Figure 1 Transposition and VDJ Recombination
Global similarities between transposition and VDJ recombination are illustrated.
(A) The RAG recombinase recognizes recombination signal sequences (triangles) adjacent to V, D, or J coding elements (rectangles). Double-strand breaks are introduced between the RSS and the coding elements, generating a pair of coding ends (left) and a pair of signal ends (right). Coding ends join, forming a coding joint. Signal ends join, forming a signal joint. Both joining reactions involve ligation mediated by cellular repair factors (see text).
(B) The transposase recognizes specific sequences at the ends of the transposon (triangles) and introduces a double-strand break separating the element from the flanking sequences. Rejoining of the broken donor ends (left) by the cellular repair machinery yields a repaired donor site. The transposon ends join to a new target DNA molecule (dashed line) via transesterification, generating a simple insertion (see text).
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3. Figure 2 Transesterification Reactions
Three RAG-mediated transesterification reactions are illustrated.
(A) DSB formation proceeds by attack of the 3′ OH on a phosphodiester bond of the bottom strand, generating a hairpin coding end and a blunt signal end.
(B) Hybrid joints are formed by attack of a 3′ OH of a signal end on a hairpin coding end.
(C) Signal ends join to a target DNA molecule by transposition, a reaction involving attack of the 3′ OH groups on the phosphodiester bonds of the target DNA.
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4. Figure 3
RAG-Mediated Chromosome Translocations via Single End Insertions
Single-ended transposition of a signal end to the target chromosome forms a branched intermediate, that can be further processed by RAG-mediated cleavage to yield a hairpin end and an RSS joined to the partner chromosome. Joining of the two hairpin ends forms the reciprocal translocation product.
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5. Figure 4
RAG-Mediated Chromosome Translocations via Double End Insertions
Double-ended transposition of a pair of signal ends to the target chromosome generates a doubly nicked intermediate. RAG-mediated cleavage would excise the insert, leaving a pair of hairpin chromosome ends and an excised linear molecule with signal ends. Joining of the hairpin ends would produce a reciprocal translocation. The signal ends, which would be expected to carry short single-stranded extensions because of the staggered nature of target DNA cleavage (Hiom et al. 1998) might be joined to form a signal joint or could undergo further processing and perhaps additional transposition events.
Cell  , DOI: ( /S (00) )