Featured Publications
Transposon molecular domestication and the evolution of the RAG recombinase
Zhang Y, Cheng TC, Huang G, Lu Q, Surleac MD, Mandell JD, Pontarotti P, Petrescu AJ, Xu A, Xiong Y, Schatz DG. Transposon molecular domestication and the evolution of the RAG recombinase. Nature 2019, 569: 79-84. PMID: 30971819, PMCID: PMC6494689, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1093-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRAG1-RAG2 recombinaseMolecular domesticationRAG recombinaseCryo-electron microscopy structureTwo-tiered mechanismAmino acid residuesJawed vertebratesMicroscopy structureEvolutionary adaptationDNA substratesTransposition activityAcid residuesDomesticationDNA cleavageAcidic regionDiverse repertoireAdaptive immune systemRecombinaseTransposonCell receptorTransposasePivotal eventRecombinationCleavageVertebratesStructures of a RAG-like transposase during cut-and-paste transposition
Liu C, Yang Y, Schatz DG. Structures of a RAG-like transposase during cut-and-paste transposition. Nature 2019, 575: 540-544. PMID: 31723264, PMCID: PMC6872938, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1753-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCryo-electron microscopy structureC-terminal tailUnique structural elementsStrand transfer complexEukaryotic cutEvolutionary progenitorsMicroscopy structureRAG recombinasePaste transpositionApo enzymeSubstrate DNAHelicoverpa zeaConformational changesEarly stepsTransposaseAdaptive immune systemDNATarget siteTransposonTarget DNAPivotal roleActive siteEnzymeTransposition processEssential component
2015
Mapping and Quantitation of the Interaction between the Recombination Activating Gene Proteins RAG1 and RAG2* ♦
Zhang YH, Shetty K, Surleac MD, Petrescu AJ, Schatz DG. Mapping and Quantitation of the Interaction between the Recombination Activating Gene Proteins RAG1 and RAG2* ♦. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2015, 290: 11802-11817. PMID: 25745109, PMCID: PMC4424321, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.638627.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsCatalytic DomainDNA-Binding ProteinsGene Expression RegulationGenome, HumanHEK293 CellsHomeodomain ProteinsHumansInterferometryMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMolecular Sequence DataMutationNuclear ProteinsProtein BindingProtein Interaction MappingProtein Structure, SecondaryThymus GlandV(D)J RecombinationVDJ RecombinasesConceptsRegion of RAG1Α-helixZinc finger regionResidues N-terminalActive siteAcidic amino acidsPulldown assaysAccessory factorsHermes transposaseProteins RAG1Finger regionRAG activityQuantitative Western blottingC-terminusRAG endonucleaseN-terminalCatalytic functionRAG1Amino acidsDNA cleavageRAG2Nuclear concentrationRecombination activityCatalytic centerBiolayer interferometry
2009
Structure of the RAG1 nonamer binding domain with DNA reveals a dimer that mediates DNA synapsis
Yin FF, Bailey S, Innis CA, Ciubotaru M, Kamtekar S, Steitz TA, Schatz DG. Structure of the RAG1 nonamer binding domain with DNA reveals a dimer that mediates DNA synapsis. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 2009, 16: 499-508. PMID: 19396172, PMCID: PMC2715281, DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.1593.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid MotifsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsBase SequenceChromosome PairingCrystallography, X-RayDNAFluorescence Resonance Energy TransferHomeodomain ProteinsMiceModels, MolecularMolecular Sequence DataNucleic Acid ConformationProtein MultimerizationProtein Structure, QuaternaryProtein Structure, TertiarySolutionsStatic Electricity
2008
Pillars article: the V(D)J recombination activating gene, RAG-1. 1989.
Schatz DG, Oettinger MA, Baltimore D. Pillars article: the V(D)J recombination activating gene, RAG-1. 1989. The Journal Of Immunology 2008, 180: 5-18. PMID: 18096996.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2007
Role of Activation-Induced Deaminase Protein Kinase A Phosphorylation Sites in Ig Gene Conversion and Somatic Hypermutation
Chatterji M, Unniraman S, McBride KM, Schatz DG. Role of Activation-Induced Deaminase Protein Kinase A Phosphorylation Sites in Ig Gene Conversion and Somatic Hypermutation. The Journal Of Immunology 2007, 179: 5274-5280. PMID: 17911613, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.8.5274.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAmino Acid SubstitutionAnimalsAvian ProteinsCell LineChickensCyclic AMP-Dependent Protein KinasesCytidine DeaminaseEnzyme ActivationGene ConversionGenes, ImmunoglobulinHumansMiceMolecular Sequence DataPhosphorylationSerineSomatic Hypermutation, ImmunoglobulinZebrafish ProteinsConceptsReplication protein AActivation-induced deaminaseProtein kinase AClass switch recombinationGene conversionDT40 cellsPhosphorylation sitesSomatic hypermutationProtein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation siteChicken DT40 cellsIg gene conversionEfficient gene conversionConsensus target siteIg gene diversificationGene diversificationSerine 38Cytosine residuesKinase ASwitch recombinationIg genesResidue interferesFish proteinTarget siteProtein AS38
2002
The Activation-induced Deaminase Functions in a Postcleavage Step of the Somatic Hypermutation Process
Papavasiliou FN, Schatz DG. The Activation-induced Deaminase Functions in a Postcleavage Step of the Somatic Hypermutation Process. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 2002, 195: 1193-1198. PMID: 11994424, PMCID: PMC2193708, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20011858.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsActivation-induced cytidine deaminaseClass switch recombinationSomatic hypermutationDNA lesionsDownstream constant region genesCytidine deaminase motifDominant-negative formConstant region genesInitial DNA lesionsSomatic hypermutation processHeavy chain constant regionIg genesNegative formImmunoglobulin genesChain constant regionTarget sequencePoint mutationsCytidine deaminaseHypermutation processGenesAID functionRegion genesMechanistic overlapVariable regionsConstant region
2000
Identification of Two Catalytic Residues in RAG1 that Define a Single Active Site within the RAG1/RAG2 Protein Complex
Fugmann S, Villey I, Ptaszek L, Schatz D. Identification of Two Catalytic Residues in RAG1 that Define a Single Active Site within the RAG1/RAG2 Protein Complex. Molecular Cell 2000, 5: 97-107. PMID: 10678172, DOI: 10.1016/s1097-2765(00)80406-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsActive siteDivalent metal ionsSingle active siteMetal ionsTransfer reactionsActive site regionProtein complexesBond breakageCatalysisCatalytic functionRegion of RAG1Strand transfer reactionSecondary structure prediction algorithmsAspartic acid residuesCatalytic residuesRAG2 proteinsComplexesStructure prediction algorithmsPossible structural similaritySite regionAcid residuesRetroviral integrasesRAG1Structural similarityIons
1998
Transposition mediated by RAG1 and RAG2 and its implications for the evolution of the immune system
Agrawal A, Eastman Q, Schatz D. Transposition mediated by RAG1 and RAG2 and its implications for the evolution of the immune system. Nature 1998, 394: 744-751. PMID: 9723614, DOI: 10.1038/29457.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsAntibodiesBinding SitesB-LymphocytesCatalysisCell LineDNADNA Transposable ElementsDNA, CircularDNA-Binding ProteinsDrug Resistance, MicrobialEvolution, MolecularGene Rearrangement, B-LymphocyteGene Rearrangement, T-LymphocyteHigh Mobility Group ProteinsHomeodomain ProteinsImmune SystemMiceMolecular Sequence DataReceptors, Antigen, T-CellRecombination, GeneticRestriction MappingTransposasesVertebratesConceptsT-cell receptor genesRecombination signalsSequence-specific DNA recognitionAncestral receptor geneComponent gene segmentsSite-specific recombination reactionPiece of DNAEvolutionary divergenceJawless vertebratesRecombination-activating geneTransposable elementsDNA recognitionRetroviral integrationGermline insertionDNA moleculesGenesShort duplicationsDNA cleavageRAG1Gene segmentsTransposition reactionRAG2Receptor geneTarget DNA moleculesTarget DNA
1997
A Basic Motif in the N-Terminal Region of RAG1 Enhances V(D)J Recombination Activity
McMahan C, Difilippantonio M, Rao N, Spanopoulou E, Schatz D. A Basic Motif in the N-Terminal Region of RAG1 Enhances V(D)J Recombination Activity. Molecular And Cellular Biology 1997, 17: 4544-4552. PMID: 9234712, PMCID: PMC232308, DOI: 10.1128/mcb.17.8.4544.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBasic amino acid motifN-terminal regionSite-specific DNA recognitionRecombination activityCell-specific componentsComponent gene segmentsExtrachromosomal recombination substratesAmino acid motifsAmino acids 216Site-specific recombination reactionAntigen receptor genesEvolutionary conservationNuclear transportRAG2 proteinsRAG1 proteinRecombination functionsRecombination substratesDeletion analysisDNA recognitionEnzymatic machineryAcid motifFurther mutagenesisSRP-1N-terminusRAG1
1996
RAG1 Mediates Signal Sequence Recognition and Recruitment of RAG2 in V(D)J Recombination
Difilippantonio M, McMahan C, Eastman Q, Spanopoulou E, Schatz D. RAG1 Mediates Signal Sequence Recognition and Recruitment of RAG2 in V(D)J Recombination. Cell 1996, 87: 253-262. PMID: 8861909, DOI: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)81343-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceCell LineDNA NucleotidyltransferasesDNA-Binding ProteinsGenes, ImmunoglobulinHomeodomain ProteinsHumansMacromolecular SubstancesMolecular Sequence DataNuclear ProteinsProtein BindingProteinsRecombinant ProteinsRecombination, GeneticSalmonellaSequence AlignmentStructure-Activity RelationshipTranscriptional ActivationTransfectionConceptsDNA bindingAbsence of RAG2Signal sequence recognitionRegion of RAG1RAG2 proteinsBacterial invertasesSequence similarityRecombination signalsSpecific binding interactionsRAG1Sequence recognitionDNA cleavageRAG2Binding interactionsProteinBindingRecombinationRecent studiesSignal recognitionInvertaseHeptamerRecruitmentCleavageLocalizationVivoA Zinc-binding Domain Involved in the Dimerization of RAG1
Rodgers K, Bu Z, Fleming K, Schatz D, Engelman D, Coleman J. A Zinc-binding Domain Involved in the Dimerization of RAG1. Journal Of Molecular Biology 1996, 260: 70-84. PMID: 8676393, DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1996.0382.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRecombination-activating gene 1Zinc-binding motifDimerization domainZinc fingerProtein-protein interactionsLymphoid-specific genesN-terminal thirdZinc finger sequencesAmino acid residuesC3HC4 motifRAG1 sequencesRAG1 proteinTerminal domainHomodimer formationAcid residuesBiophysical techniquesGene 1Energetics of associationMonomeric subunitsMotifProteinFinger sequencesSequenceC3HC4Zinc ions
1990
RAG-1 and RAG-2, Adjacent Genes That Synergistically Activate V(D)J Recombination
Oettinger M, Schatz D, Gorka C, Baltimore D. RAG-1 and RAG-2, Adjacent Genes That Synergistically Activate V(D)J Recombination. Science 1990, 248: 1517-1523. PMID: 2360047, DOI: 10.1126/science.2360047.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsBase SequenceBiological EvolutionCattleCell LineChickensCricetinaeDNADNA NucleotidyltransferasesDNA-Binding ProteinsDogsFemaleGene Rearrangement, B-LymphocyteGene Rearrangement, T-LymphocyteHomeodomain ProteinsHumansMaleMiceMolecular Sequence DataMultigene FamilyNuclear ProteinsNucleic Acid HybridizationOpossumsProteinsRabbitsRecombination, GeneticRestriction MappingTransfectionTurtlesVDJ RecombinasesConceptsRAG-2RAG-1Adjacent genesRecombinase activityFrequency of recombinationPutative proteinUntranslated sequenceSingle exonGenomic rearrangementsExpression patternsVast repertoireGenesComplementary DNAAmino acidsT cell receptorCell receptorRecombinationSequenceKilobasesExonsCotransfectionRecombinaseSpeciesProteinDNA
1989
The V(D)J recombination activating gene, RAG-1
Schatz D, Oettinger M, Baltimore D. The V(D)J recombination activating gene, RAG-1. Cell 1989, 59: 1035-1048. PMID: 2598259, DOI: 10.1016/0092-8674(89)90760-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsBase SequenceBiological EvolutionCell LineCloning, MolecularDNA NucleotidyltransferasesGene Expression RegulationGene LibraryGene Rearrangement, T-LymphocyteGenes, ImmunoglobulinGenomic LibraryHumansMiceMolecular Sequence DataNucleic Acid HybridizationOligonucleotide ProbesReceptors, Antigen, T-CellRecombination, GeneticSequence Homology, Nucleic AcidT-LymphocytesTransfectionVDJ Recombinases