Mechanism of Mismatch Repair Induced Mutagenesis in Somatic Hypermutation
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Mechanism of Mismatch Repair Induced Mutagenesis in Somatic Hypermutation by Darina Frieder A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Immunology University of Toronto © Copyright by Darina Frieder 2010 Mechanism of Mismatch Repair Induced Mutagenesis in Somatic Hypermutation Darina Frieder Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Immunology University of Toronto 2010 Abstract B cells produce a diverse array of antibody specificities that are of low affinity during the initial phase of a humoral immune response. However, somatic hypermutation of the rearranged V region in the immunoglobulin locus generates new antibody affinities, accompanied by the selection of B cells that produce superior antibody affinities. Somatic hypermutation is initiated by the conversion of G:C base pairs to G:U lesions by the enzyme activation induced cytosine deaminase. Left unrepaired, G:U lesions will give rise to transition mutations at G:C base pairs, but are converted to transition and transversion mutations at G:C and A:T base pairs by the paradoxical participation of the base excision repair and mismatch repair pathways. The mismatch repair pathway, which evolved to correct errors produced during DNA replication, is co‐opted by hypermutating B cells to produce A:T mutations via the processing of G:U lesions. This process requires the mismatch repair components Msh2, Msh6, and Exo1, but is additionally dependent upon the translesional DNA polymerase η, a known A:T mutator, and on ubiquitinated PCNA, an initiator of translesion synthesis. The presence of certain types of lesions in the template strand during DNA replication leads to the activation of translesion synthesis. I propose ii that a similar mechanism operates during somatic hypermutation to activate translesion synthesis and recruit DNA polymerase η. Our model suggests that mismatch repair‐ generated single‐stranded DNA tracts contain abasic sites produced as a result of uracil excision by uracil‐N‐glycosylase. Synthesis opposite abasic sites activates translesion synthesis and results in the recruitment of polymerase η and the subsequent production of A:T mutations. In this thesis, I present data from hypermutating murine B cells and the B cell line Ramos to support this model, demonstrating that the base excision repair and mismatch repair pathways cooperate during somatic hypermutation to generate A:T mutations. In addition, I explore the role of the Mre11‐Rad50‐Nbs1 complex in its contribution to A:T mutations in Ramos cells. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that conversion of classical DNA repair pathways into mutation‐generating processes is driven by the unique environment of the V region in hypermutating B cells. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The pursuit of this degree has been an incredible journey and I am grateful to have had this opportunity. In these past six years I gained so much knowledge, about science and research of course, but also about myself. And through it all, I had the company of wonderful friends. For that reason, I dedictate this thesis to all the people who took this journey with me. First of all, thank you, Alberto for taking me on as your first student, for supporting me throughout the struggles and victories alike and for encouraging me always to be better, work harder, and most of all, to focus. Your lab has grown tremendously over the years and I have no doubt you will continue to prosper in the years to come. I wish you nothing but happiness both professionally and in your personal life. Many lab members need to be thanked, some of whom have left to pursue their own goals and some who remain. All of you have contributed laughter and camaraderie and this experience would have been lesser were it not for each and every one of you. Wajiha, Mani, and Jahan, together we formed “the core” and I like to think we helped set the direction for the lab. Mani, your guidance and wisdom helped me through many tough situations and our discussions always provided different perspective. Jahan, I have watched you blossom into someone for whom I have the utmost respect, as a scientist, a friend and fellow “human.” You are one of the most giving individuals I have ever met and I am so glad we became desk buddies and ultimately, friends. Ahmad, there is no need to tell you how funny you are. You should, however, know that your presence in the lab is invaluable and you truly have a great deal to offer. Shaliny, alas, you’ve made me laugh as well, perhaps by providing fodder to Ahmad’s sense of appetite for humor, but you always take it in stride and for that I thank you. Rajeev, our friendship began in the underbelly of MSB, but once the masks came off, I learned what an intresting person you are and I have thoroughly enjoyed our many discussions. Blerta, your confidence and commitment to your goals is remarkable and impressed me from our first meeting. Bryant, I have enjoyed trading opinions about various culinary matters. Maribel, thank you for taking care of my cells while I took care of my post‐surgery leg. It was a great pleasure to work with you and to get iv to know you in the process. Although not a lab member, I need to also thank Rejeanne for performing miracles and for being a much‐needed friend. To my parents, I know I can always count on you for love and support. I admire and respect the difficult decision you made many years ago to leave your home in pursuit of a new adventure. We will never know how things would have turned out had you chosen a different path, but I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences your decision enabled me. Richard, your encouragement and support through all of my endeavours has meant the world to me. You manage to believe in me even when I don’t. You encourage me in everything I do and support me every step of the way. I am better with you in my life. Of course I have to thank Clara, our beautiful kitty, for bringing joy to my life and allowing me take care of her. Thank you also to Chao, my one and only roommate. I cherish the bond we developed in those two years together on Madison and hope we will continue our friendship for many years. Mireille, you are one of my oldest friends and I find great comfort in sharing my joys and sorrows with you. And as someone who has completed her formal education, you have served as an inspiration in the last couple of years. Finally, I would like to thank my committee, both past and present, for standing by me, encouraging me and for asking more of me. I respect each and every one of you scientifically and have learned a great deal from all of you. I also feel privileged to have enjoyed your company at conferences and IGSA events. After so many years at this university in this department, I suspect it will always feel a little bit like home to me. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page ................................................................................................................................................................. i Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................................. iv Table of Contents..................................................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables .............................................................................................................................................................. xi List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................................... xii List of Appendices ................................................................................................................................................. xiv List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................. xv CHAPTER 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1‐83 1.1. B Cells ................................................................................................................................................ 2 1.1.1. The Humoral Immune Response ..................................................................................... 2 1.1.2. B Cell in the Immune Response ....................................................................................... 4 1.1.3. B Cell Activation ..................................................................................................................... 5 1.2. Antibody Diversification Mechanisms ................................................................................. 8 1.2.1. V(D)J Recombination ............................................................................................................ 8 1.2.2. Somatic Hypermutation ................................................................................................... 12 1.2.3. Class Switch Recombination .......................................................................................... 16 1.2.4. Immunoglobulin Gene Conversion .............................................................................