What is class switching recombination?

Definition. Class switch recombination is a process by which proliferating B cells rearrange the constant region genes in the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus to switch from expressing one class of immunoglobulin (such as IgM) to another (such as IgG).

What happens during immunoglobulin class switching?

Class switching occurs after activation of a mature B cell via its membrane-bound antibody molecule (or B cell receptor) to generate the different classes of antibody, all with the same variable domains as the original antibody generated in the immature B cell during the process of V(D)J recombination, but possessing …

What causes class switching to IgA?

IgA class switching is the process whereby B cells acquire the expression of IgA, the most abundant antibody isotype in mucosal secretions. IgA class switching occurs via both T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent pathways, and the antibody targets both pathogenic and commensal microorganisms.

What is the purpose of the class switch?

Class switching is the process whereby an activated B cell changes its antibody production from IgM to either IgA, IgG, or IgE depending on the functional requirements. By the end of this CAL you should understand: the basic structure and function of an antibody.

What causes class switching?

Class switching occurs by a mechanism called class switch recombination (CSR) binding. Class switch recombination is a biological mechanism that allows the class of antibody produced by an activated B cell to change during a process known as isotype or class switching.

What is class switching in immunoglobulin?

Isotype class switching is a biological mechanism that changes a B cell’s production of antibody from one class to another. Describe the process of class switch recombination that results in changes in the antibody-heavy chain.

What stimulates VDJ recombination?

V(D)J recombination is initiated by the RAG recombinase, a protein complex which consists primarily of the proteins encoded by RAG1 and RAG2. The RAG complex functions as a site-specific endonuclease that creates DSBs at specific recombination signal sequences (RSSs) adjacent to each V, D, and J gene segment.