Question

Which of the following processes involves the rearrangement of gene segments to produce immunoglobulin (antibody) diversity?

A) VDJ recombination - BCR heavy chain and TCR beta
B) VJ recombination - BCR light chain and TCR alpha chain
C) TLR3, TLR7, TLR8 (endosomal)
D) 3 phagocytes (myeloid cells)

Answer 1

The processes that involve gene segment rearrangement to produce antibody diversity are VDJ recombination for the BCR heavy chain and TCR beta chain, and VJ recombination for the BCR light chain and TCR alpha chain. These processes create a multitude of unique antigen-binding sites.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process that involves the rearrangement of gene segments to produce the diversity of immunoglobulins, or antibodies, is called VDJ recombination for the BCR heavy chain and TCR beta chain, and VJ recombination for the BCR light chain and TCR alpha chain. These recombinations occur in B cells for antibody diversification. Specifically, VDJ recombination refers to the combination of Variable (V), Diversity (D), and Joining (J) gene segments to create a diverse repertoire of BCR heavy chains, while VJ recombination refers to the combination of Variable (V) and Joining (J) gene segments for the BCR light chain.

During B cell development, an enzyme called DNA recombinase excises and rearranges these gene segments, which, after further splicing at the mRNA level, gives rise to a myriad of unique variable regions capable of binding an immense variety of antigens. This process provides the capability for the immune system to recognize and respond to a vast array of foreign substances through the production of a large number of different antibodies.