Citation
Immunity through DNA deamination
TL;DR
Immune B cells deliberately use error-prone DNA copying to generate antibody diversity
This paper explains somatic hypermutation in immune B cells - a controlled, targeted form of increased mutation that generates antibody diversity. It demonstrates that evolution has generated mechanisms to tune mutation rates contextually, increasing mutation in specific genes (antibody-encoding) while maintaining low rates elsewhere.
This supports the chapter's argument that mutation rates can be locally controlled and strategically deployed, analogous to organizations creating 'innovation zones' with higher experimentation rates while maintaining stability in core operations.
Key Findings from Neuberger et al. (2003)
- Immune B cells deliberately use error-prone DNA copying to generate antibody diversity
- Somatic hypermutation targets specific genomic regions (antibody genes)
- This represents controlled, localized high mutation rates
- Evolution has generated mechanisms to tune where, when, and how mutations occur