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: e105857. 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 step
2011
V(D)J Recombination: Mechanisms of Initiation
Schatz DG, Swanson PC. V(D)J Recombination: Mechanisms of Initiation. Annual Review Of Genetics 2011, 45: 167-202. PMID: 21854230, DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-110410-132552.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProtein-DNA complexesUbiquitin ligase activityHistone recognitionDomain organizationRAG proteinsRAG2 proteinsLigase activityT-cell receptor genesRecombination signalsDNA breaksHeptamer sequenceLymphocyte developmentDNA breakageDNA cleavageGene segmentsFunctional significanceProper repairReceptor geneRAG1ProteinRecombinationMechanism of initiationComplexesRecent advancesGenes
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
1997
Crystal structure of the RAG1 dimerization domain reveals multiple zinc-binding motifs including a novel zinc binuclear cluster
Bellon S, Rodgers K, Schatz D, Coleman J, Steitz T. Crystal structure of the RAG1 dimerization domain reveals multiple zinc-binding motifs including a novel zinc binuclear cluster. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 1997, 4: 586-591. PMID: 9228952, DOI: 10.1038/nsb0797-586.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
1996
A Zinc-binding Domain Involved in the Dimerization of RAG1
Rodgers K, Bu Z, Fleming K, Schatz D, Engelman D, Coleman J. A Zinc-binding Domain Involved in the Dimerization of RAG1. Journal Of Molecular Biology 1996, 260: 70-84. PMID: 8676393, DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1996.0382.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRecombination-activating gene 1Zinc-binding motifDimerization domainZinc fingerProtein-protein interactionsLymphoid-specific genesN-terminal thirdZinc finger sequencesAmino acid residuesC3HC4 motifRAG1 sequencesRAG1 proteinTerminal domainHomodimer formationAcid residuesBiophysical techniquesGene 1Energetics of associationMonomeric subunitsMotifProteinFinger sequencesSequenceC3HC4Zinc ionsrag-1 and rag-2: Biochemistry and Protein Interactions
Schatz D, Leu T. rag-1 and rag-2: Biochemistry and Protein Interactions. Current Topics In Microbiology And Immunology 1996, 217: 11-29. PMID: 8787615, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-50140-1_2.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsMeSH KeywordsAnimalsDNA-Binding ProteinsHomeodomain ProteinsLymphocytesMiceNuclear ProteinsProtein ConformationProteinsRecombinant ProteinsRecombination, GeneticConceptsRAG-1Protein-protein interactionsRAG-2 proteinT-cell receptor proteinsSite-specific recombination reactionLymphocyte-specific factorsProtein interactionsEnzymatic machineryGene productsRAG-2Lymphocyte developmentReceptor proteinBiochemical propertiesProteinCoordinated activityGenesTerminal deoxynucleotidyl transferaseRecombinationDiversityDeoxynucleotidyl transferaseMost componentsMachineryNucleotidesSpeciesTransferase