Alternative end-joining catalyzes class switch recombination in the absence of both Ku70 and DNA ligase 4

J Exp Med. 2010 Feb 15;207(2):417-27. doi: 10.1084/jem.20092449. Epub 2010 Feb 8.

Abstract

The classical nonhomologous end-joining (C-NHEJ) DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway employs the Ku70/80 complex (Ku) for DSB recognition and the XRCC4/DNA ligase 4 (Lig4) complex for ligation. During IgH class switch recombination (CSR) in B lymphocytes, switch (S) region DSBs are joined by C-NHEJ to form junctions either with short microhomologies (MHs; "MH-mediated" joins) or no homologies ("direct" joins). In the absence of XRCC4 or Lig4, substantial CSR occurs via "alternative" end-joining (A-EJ) that generates largely MH-mediated joins. Because upstream C-NHEJ components remain in XRCC4- or Lig4-deficient B cells, residual CSR might be catalyzed by C-NHEJ using a different ligase. To address this, we have assayed for CSR in B cells deficient for Ku70, Ku80, or both Ku70 and Lig4. Ku70- or Ku80-deficient B cells have reduced, but still substantial, CSR. Strikingly, B cells deficient for both Ku plus Lig4 undergo CSR similarly to Ku-deficient B cells, firmly demonstrating that an A-EJ pathway distinct from C-NHEJ can catalyze CSR end-joining. Ku-deficient or Ku- plus Lig4-deficient B cells are also biased toward MH-mediated CSR joins; but, in contrast to XRCC4- or Lig4-deficient B cells, generate substantial numbers of direct CSR joins. Our findings suggest that more than one form of A-EJ can function in CSR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Nuclear / immunology
  • Antigens, Nuclear / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded*
  • DNA Ligase ATP
  • DNA Ligases / immunology
  • DNA Ligases / metabolism*
  • DNA Repair*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / immunology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Immunoglobulin Class Switching*
  • Immunoglobulins / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulins / metabolism
  • Ku Autoantigen
  • Mice

Substances

  • Antigens, Nuclear
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Immunoglobulins
  • LIG4 protein, human
  • XRCC4 protein, human
  • Xrcc6 protein, human
  • Xrcc6 protein, mouse
  • Ku Autoantigen
  • DNA Ligases
  • DNA Ligase ATP