DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) constitute one of the most toxic lesions to occur in a cell. Unrepaired DSBs can either lead to cell death or can participate in chromosomal translocations that are hallmarks of many kinds of tumors, including lymphomas. Despite the toxicity associated with DSBs, during the immunoglobulin (Ig) gene diversification process of class switch recombination (CSR), DSBs are deliberately introduced into defined regions, called switch (S) regions, of the B cell genome, and a failure to introduce such DSBs leads to immunodeficiency syndromes. The DNA deaminase AID (activation induced cytidine deaminase) is essential for the generation of DSBs. While S regions (and the Ig gene associated variable region gene segments) are primary targets, AID has the potential to induce DSBs at non-Ig genes, including oncogenes. Such off-target DSBs are the major lesions behind the ontogeny of a large number of mature B cell lymphomas. Despite the relevance of AID targeting to both immunity and cancer, the molecular mechanisms underlying AID specificity are yet to be fully elucidated. We have now shown that noncoding RNA emanating from S regions act as molecular guides to recruit AID to S regions. This proposal tests the hypothesis that switch transcripts not only recruit AID to S regions to facilitate CSR but also sequester AID from other genomic regions to prevent collateral damage during B cell gene diversification.
In aim 1, we test the notion that the RNA-guided recruitment of AID is critical fo CSR in vivo.
In aim 2, we examine if RNA-guided AID recruitment serves to shelter the B cell genome from collateral AID-induced DNA damage.
In aim 3, we design chimeric RNA molecules for ectopic targeting of AID. These studies will have far-reaching implications into our fundamental understanding of both immunity and how simple aberrations in the process could lead to B cell lymphomas.
Class switch recombination is essential for B cell-mediated immunity as its failure leads to immunodeficiency syndromes in humans. On the other hand, aberrant class switch recombination is directly responsible for the ontogeny of mature B cell lymphomas, the most common lymphoma in humans. Understanding the mechanisms that promote class switching while simultaneously maintaining genomic integrity is the focus of this proposal and is thus related to both human immunodeficiencies and B cell oncogenesis.
