The RAG1 Ubiquitin Ligase Domain Enhances T Cell Receptor Gene Assembly and Thymic Selection

RAG1/RAG2 (RAG) endonuclease-mediated assembly of diverse lymphocyte antigen receptor genes by V(D)J recombination is critical for the development and immune function of T and B cells. However, this process creates highly self-reactive cells that must be properly selected to suppress autoimmunity. The RAG1 protein contains a ubiquitin ligase domain that stabilizes RAG1 and stimulates RAG endonuclease activity in vitro. We report that mice with a mutation that inactivates the RAG1 ubiquitin ligase in vitro exhibit modestly reduced thymic cellularity, decreased assembly and altered repertoires of T cell receptor (TCR) {beta} and genes in thymocytes, and impaired thymocyte developmental transitions that require the assembly of TCR{beta} or genes and signaling by their proteins. These RAG1 mutant mice also exhibit less efficient positive selection and superantigen-mediated negative selection of conventional {beta} T cells, 2) impaired differentiation of iNKT lineage {beta} T cells, and 3) CD4+ {beta} T cells with elevated autoimmune potential. Our findings demonstrate that the RAG1 ubiquitin ligase domain functions in vivo to stimulate the assembly and selection of TCR{beta} and TCR genes, thereby establishing replete diversity of {beta} TCRs and {beta} T cell lineages while restraining the inherent autoimmune hazard of generating diverse antigen specificities.