Featured Publications
Structural basis for the activation and suppression of transposition during evolution of the RAG recombinase
Zhang Y, Corbett E, Wu S, Schatz DG. Structural basis for the activation and suppression of transposition during evolution of the RAG recombinase. The EMBO Journal 2020, 39: embj2020105857. PMID: 32945578, PMCID: PMC7604617, DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020105857.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTarget site DNASite DNARAG1/RAG2 recombinaseSuppression of transpositionCryo-electron microscopyStrand transfer complexAntigen receptor genesDomesticated transposaseTarget DNARAG recombinaseEvolutionary adaptationPaste transpositionStructural basisTransposition activityMechanistic principlesFunctional assaysTransposon endDNAReceptor geneBase unstackingDomesticationTransposaseRecombinaseAdaptive immunityFinal stepStructures 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
2017
New insights into the evolutionary origins of the recombination‐activating gene proteins and V(D)J recombination
Carmona LM, Schatz DG. New insights into the evolutionary origins of the recombination‐activating gene proteins and V(D)J recombination. The FEBS Journal 2017, 284: 1590-1605. PMID: 27973733, PMCID: PMC5459667, DOI: 10.1111/febs.13990.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransposable elementsEvolutionary originRAG proteinsAbsence of RAG2Independent evolutionary originsBasal chordate amphioxusRecombination-activating gene (RAG) proteinsFamily of transposasesAntigen receptor genesRAG transposonChordate amphioxusJawed vertebratesSequence similarityEvolutionary relativesProteins RAG1RAG genesGene proteinRAG1Gene segmentsDiverse arrayMechanistic linkProteinRAG2Adaptive immune systemDNA cleavage reaction
2016
Collaboration of RAG2 with RAG1-like proteins during the evolution of V(D)J recombination
Carmona LM, Fugmann SD, Schatz DG. Collaboration of RAG2 with RAG1-like proteins during the evolution of V(D)J recombination. Genes & Development 2016, 30: 909-917. PMID: 27056670, PMCID: PMC4840297, DOI: 10.1101/gad.278432.116.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRecombination-activating gene 1Transib transposaseAbsence of RAG2RAG1/RAG2Antigen receptor genesJawed vertebratesRAG2 proteinsTransposable elementsRAG1 proteinRegulatory featuresDNA substratesGene 1RAG2Receptor geneRecombination activityProteinRecombinationTransposaseAdaptive immunityVertebratesTransposonGenesEvolutionLow levelsOrigin
2006
Mobilization of RAG-Generated Signal Ends by Transposition and Insertion In Vivo
Chatterji M, Tsai CL, Schatz DG. Mobilization of RAG-Generated Signal Ends by Transposition and Insertion In Vivo. Molecular And Cellular Biology 2006, 26: 1558-1568. PMID: 16449665, PMCID: PMC1367191, DOI: 10.1128/mcb.26.4.1558-1568.2006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRAG proteinsVertebrate cellsTransposition eventsEnd fragmentsFull-length RAG2Embryonic kidney cell lineHuman embryonic kidney cell lineTarget site duplicationsGenome instabilityHuman genomeSignal endsKidney cell lineGenomic instabilityTranslocation eventsSite duplicationsChromosomal translocationsDNA cleavageComplex rearrangementsChromosome deletionsEssential roleProteinCell linesEpisomesDeletionAssays
2004
Antigen receptor genes and the evolution of a recombinase
Schatz DG. Antigen receptor genes and the evolution of a recombinase. Seminars In Immunology 2004, 16: 245-256. PMID: 15522623, DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2004.08.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntigen receptor genesReceptor geneDNA repair factorsSite-specific recombination reactionRAG transposonVertebrate genomesJawed vertebratesEvolutionary implicationsRAG2 proteinsTransposable elementsRepair factorsGenesAdaptive immune systemHorizontal transmissionRAG1VertebratesGenomeImmune systemTransposonGermlineRecombinaseRAG2ProteinRecombination reactionRecombinationNew concepts in the regulation of an ancient reaction: transposition by RAG1/RAG2
Chatterji M, Tsai C, Schatz DG. New concepts in the regulation of an ancient reaction: transposition by RAG1/RAG2. Immunological Reviews 2004, 200: 261-271. PMID: 15242411, DOI: 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2004.00167.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRAG proteinsRecombination-activating gene 1Transposition activityAntigen receptor lociDNA double-stand breaksRAG1/RAG2Lymphoid-specific factorsDouble-stand breaksEndonuclease activityGene 1Chromosomal translocationsVariety of mechanismsProteinSpecific sitesRAG2Ancient reactionRecombinationRecent studiesGenome
2003
DNA mismatches and GC‐rich motifs target transposition by the RAG1/RAG2 transposase
Tsai C, Chatterji M, Schatz DG. DNA mismatches and GC‐rich motifs target transposition by the RAG1/RAG2 transposase. Nucleic Acids Research 2003, 31: 6180-6190. PMID: 14576304, PMCID: PMC275461, DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkg819.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2002
RAG1-DNA Binding in V(D)J Recombination SPECIFICITY AND DNA-INDUCED CONFORMATIONAL CHANGES REVEALED BY FLUORESCENCE AND CD SPECTROSCOPY*
Ciubotaru M, Ptaszek LM, Baker GA, Baker SN, Bright FV, Schatz DG. RAG1-DNA Binding in V(D)J Recombination SPECIFICITY AND DNA-INDUCED CONFORMATIONAL CHANGES REVEALED BY FLUORESCENCE AND CD SPECTROSCOPY*. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2002, 278: 5584-5596. PMID: 12488446, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m209758200.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBase SequenceBinding SitesCircular DichroismCloning, MolecularDNADNA NucleotidyltransferasesDNA-Binding ProteinsEscherichia coliGenes, RAG-1Homeodomain ProteinsKineticsMiceOligodeoxyribonucleotidesProtein ConformationRecombinant ProteinsRecombination, GeneticSubstrate SpecificityTransfectionTransposasesVDJ RecombinasesConceptsRecombination signal sequencesConformational changesSynaptic complex formationAbsence of DNAAssembly of immunoglobulinMajor conformational changesIntrinsic protein fluorophoresProtein intrinsic fluorescenceSolvent-exposed environmentRAG2 proteinsRAG1/2 complexSingle DNA moleculesRAG1 proteinSignal sequenceAcrylamide quenching studiesT-cell receptor genesStrep-tagRecombination specificityDNA moleculesProtein fluorophoresRAG1Receptor geneProteinIntrinsic fluorescenceCircular dichroism
2000
Intermolecular V(D)J Recombination*
Tevelev A, Schatz D. Intermolecular V(D)J Recombination*. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2000, 275: 8341-8348. PMID: 10722664, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.275.12.8341.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIdentification 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