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Evidence for the Murine IgH µ Locus Acting as a Hot Spot for Intrachromosomal Homologous Recombination¹

Steven J. Raynard^*, Leah R. Read and Mark D. Baker^2,*,

^* Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, College of Biological Science, and Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Homologous recombination accomplishes the exchange of genetic information between two similar or identical DNA duplexes. It can occur either by gene conversion, a process of unidirectional genetic exchange, or by reciprocal crossing over. Homologous recombination is well known for its role in generating genetic diversity in meiosis and, in mitosis, as a DNA repair mechanism. In the immune system, the evidence suggests a role for homologous recombination in Ig gene evolution and in the diversification of Ab function. Previously, we reported the occurrence of homologous recombination between repeated, donor and recipient alleles of the Ig H chain µ gene C (Cµ) region residing at the Ig µ locus in mouse hybridoma cells. In this study, we constructed mouse hybridoma cell lines bearing Cµ region heteroalleles to learn more about the intrachromosomal homologous recombination process. A high frequency of homologous recombination (gene conversion) was observed for markers spanning the entire recipient Cµ region, suggesting that recombination might initiate at random sites within the Cµ region. The Cµ region heteroalleles were equally proficient as either conversion donors or recipients. Remarkably, when the same Cµ heteroalleles were tested for recombination in ectopic genomic positions, the mean frequency of gene conversion was reduced by at least 65-fold. These results are consistent with the murine IgH µ locus behaving as a hot spot for intrachromosomal homologous recombination.

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