Molecular mechanisms governing reading frame choice of immunoglobulin diversity genes

The key elements of antigen-binding immunoglobulin (Ig) variable regions are primarily encoded by diversity (D-H) genes. Although D-H genes can be used in all three reading frames, the majority of peripheral Ig molecules carry a D-H element in a single reading frame. Here, Frank Raaphorst, C. Raman, Barry Nall and Judy Teale discuss the particular demands imposed by the structure of the antigen-binding site, which determine the choice of reading frame.