Identifying protein-protein interactions in somatic hypermutation.

Somatic hypermutation (SHM) in immunoglobulin genes is required for high affinity antibody-antigen binding. Cultured cell systems, mouse model systems, and human genetic deficiencies have been the key players in identifying likely SHM pathways, whereas "pure" biochemical approaches have been far less prominent, but change appears imminent. Here we comment on how, when, and why biochemistry is likely to emerge from the shadows and into the spotlight to elucidate how the somatic mutation of antibody variable (V) regions is generated.