The post-cleavage complex in V(D)J recombination

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Although there is a great deal of biochemical information about the RAG1and RAG2 proteins, no correlated structural data exist so far. As a result of previous work from this group, we identified the best-defined and most stable complex in this system as being the complex RAG1 and RAG2 make with two DNA ends after cutting DNA at the recombination sites. This complex has now been prepared in sufficient quantity for high-resolution electron microscopy. A collaborative arrangement with the groups of Dr. Wei Yang (LMB) and Dr. Alasdair Steven (NIAMS) has produced for the first time pictures of negatively stained samples good enough for image reconstruction, which shows evidence of a hollow core and other defined features. Present efforts focus on higher resolution that can be obtained with cryo-electron microscopy and immuno-electron microscopy, to be combined with molecular weight estimation by scanning transmission electron microscopy. Together with biophysical measurements, the results have already clarified the issue of the protein stoichiometry of the complex, which has been in dispute in the literature. Further scaling up of the protein preparation method may also permit crystallization of the complex.