Gene rearrangement of the B-lymphocyte which results in a substitution in the type of heavy-chain constant region that is expressed. This allows the effector response to change while the antigen binding specificity (variable region) remains the same. The majority of class switching occurs by a DNA recombination event but it also can take place at the level of RNA processing.

DUI

D017578 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0026640

Previous indexing

Immunoglobulin Isotypes/biosynthesis (1988-1993); Immunoglobulins, Heavy-Chain/genetics (1980-1993)

History note

94

Public note

94