Term used to indicate the recombination of the genes coding for the variable region of antibodies with genes belonging to the constant region of the other classes.
Elucidation of the mechanism facilitating the developmental switch is of critical importance for our basic understanding of gene expression and for potential therapeutic use. Much effort in studying this switch continues. The majority of molecular defects associated with b thalassemia syndromes are due to point mutations within the 13 gene or its immediate flanking regions.
Chandy, M., et al. (2001). ‘Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in the developing world: experience from a center in India’. Bone Marrow Transplantation 27(8):785-790. (RISCEN118)