Page 529 - Veterinary Immunology, 10th Edition

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FIG. 17.11 The process of gene conversion. In this process,
segments of upstream genes or pseudogenes are inserted into a
single V region to generate sequence diversity.

Receptor Assembly

When B cell antigen receptors are generated, the first chain to be
assembled is the heavy chain. This chain is capable of generating
much more junctional and combinatorial diversity than the light

chain and is the major contributor to antigen binding. This heavy
chain is linked to signal transduction molecules, and a surrogate
partner chain is provided so that the pre-B cell can respond in a
limited way to antigens. As a result, a small clone of B cells

expressing only the heavy chain is formed. Signaling through this
pre-receptor triggers limited proliferation. This is followed by the

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