Dependence of nucleotide substitutions on Ung2, Msh2, and PCNA-Ub during somatic hypermutation

J Exp Med. 2009 Nov 23;206(12):2603-11. doi: 10.1084/jem.20091707. Epub 2009 Nov 9.

Abstract

During somatic hypermutation (SHM), B cells introduce mutations into their immunoglobulin genes to generate high affinity antibodies. Current models suggest a separation in the generation of G/C transversions by the Ung2-dependent pathway and the generation of A/T mutations by the Msh2/ubiquitinated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA-Ub)-dependent pathway. It is currently unknown whether these pathways compete to initiate mutagenesis and whether PCNA-Ub functions downstream of Ung2. Furthermore, these models do not explain why mice lacking Msh2 have a more than twofold reduction in the total mutation frequency. Our data indicate that PCNA-Ub is required for A/T mutagenesis downstream of both Msh2 and Ung2. Furthermore, we provide evidence that both pathways are noncompetitive to initiate mutagenesis and even collaborate to generate half of all G/C transversions. These findings significantly add to our understanding of SHM and necessitate an update of present SHM models.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Affinity / physiology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • MutS Homolog 2 Protein / genetics
  • MutS Homolog 2 Protein / immunology
  • MutS Homolog 2 Protein / metabolism*
  • Mutation / immunology
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / genetics
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / immunology
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / metabolism*
  • Somatic Hypermutation, Immunoglobulin / physiology*
  • Ubiquitinated Proteins / genetics
  • Ubiquitinated Proteins / immunology
  • Ubiquitinated Proteins / metabolism
  • Uracil-DNA Glycosidase / genetics
  • Uracil-DNA Glycosidase / immunology
  • Uracil-DNA Glycosidase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
  • Ubiquitinated Proteins
  • Uracil-DNA Glycosidase
  • Msh2 protein, mouse
  • MutS Homolog 2 Protein