Somatic Hypermutation

Question 1

Is?

Answer 1

Random point mutation;

In rearranged VDJ region of heavy gene locus;

And rearranged VJ region light chain gene locus

Question 2

Occurs in?

Answer 2

Activated B cells

Question 3

How is this done?

Answer 3

Activated B cells divide rapidly by mitosis during clonal expression;

Some activated B cells undergo somatic hypermutation;

B cells acquire slight aa diff in variable region

Question 4

Point mutation results in?

Answer 4

1. Low affinity lg on CSM
2. Higher affinity lg for antigens
   - > selected to differentiate into plasma and memory cells