Activation-induced cytidine deaminase

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (pronounced as ak-tuh-vey-shuhn in-doo-st id sy-tuh-deen dee-am-uh-nays), often abbreviated as AID, is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the immune response of vertebrates. The term derives from the process it is involved in, known as activation-induced deaminase activity, and the substance it acts upon, cytidine.

Function

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase is primarily involved in the process of Somatic hypermutation and Class switch recombination, both of which are mechanisms that contribute to the diversity of Antibodies. This enzyme is responsible for introducing mutations into the DNA sequence of an antibody gene, thereby altering the antibody's structure and function.

Structure

The structure of Activation-induced cytidine deaminase is not fully understood. However, it is known to be a monomeric protein that contains a zinc-coordinating deaminase domain.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the Activation-induced cytidine deaminase gene can lead to a variety of immune deficiencies, including Hyper-IgM syndrome type 2, a condition characterized by an inability to switch from the production of antibodies of the IgM type to antibodies of other types.

Related terms

• Somatic hypermutation
• Class switch recombination
• Antibodies
• Hyper-IgM syndrome type 2

See also

• Cytidine
• Deaminase
• Enzyme

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