MCB Lecture 47 T cells Flashcards
Which gene locus is responsible for diversity of BCRs?
Describe the structure
Immunoglobulin gene locus
There are three loci, each on different chromosomes:
Heavy, H
Lambda
Kappa
The heavy loci contains many V, D and J genes
The lambda and kappa loci contain many J and V genes
How is diversity of BCRs generated?
Outline the steps
Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement
- Somatic recombination: one of the many V, D and J genes are selected
- Gene transcription of the recombinant gene
- mRNA is spliced
- Translation
Which genes code for the variably portion of the heavy chain?
Heavy
V, D and J
Which genes code for the variable portion of the light chain?
Lambda
Gamma
V, J
Why are there both the kappa and lambda locus?
The kappa locus is used first
If this does not produce a viable BCR, lambda is used
Which cells play a vital role in gene rearrangement of BCRs?
Bone marrow stromal cells
What is the requirement for a pre-B cell?
It must have produced viable heavy chains
Describe how further diversity of antibodies is generated
Junctional diversity
When the genes are being rearranged, extra nucleotides are added at the junctions between the V D and J regions
How many unique antibodies does junctional diversity give rise to?
10 to the 13
Which enzyme is required for junctional diversity (hyper variation)?
TdT
Which enzymes mediate gene rearrangement of BRC?
TdT
Exonucleases
RAGs: recombinase activating genes
How do we prevent auto reactive antibodies from causing damage in the body?
The BCR must pass a test to make sure they are not auto reactive before they can move out into the blood
If they fail the test, they are removed
What is the outcome of isotype switching?
Different Fc
The Fab doesn’t change, however
Describe the structure of TCRs
Two chains: alpha and beta
Which genes code for the TCRalpha?
V J D
Which genes code for the TCRbeta?
V D J C
Which processes follow on after gene recombination for BCR and TCRs?
Rapid proliferation
Removal of attractive BCR