# RNA-directed targeting of AID in immunity and cancer

> **NIH NIH R01** · SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH · 2024 · $531,000

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Upon encountering antigens, mature B cells express activation induced cytidine deaminase (AID) and undergo
immunoglobulin heavy chain (Igh) class switch recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation (SHM). CSR
proceeds through the obligate generation of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), which constitute one of the
most toxic lesions that can occur in a cell. A single unrepaired DSB can cause cell death or potentiate
chromosomal translocations that are hallmarks of many types of cancer, including lymphomas. Thus,
mechanisms that promote generation of DSBs and facilitate DSB repair are intergral to both immunity and
preservation of genomic integrity. In this proposal we test the notion that non-canonical DNA structures such
as G-quadruplexes target the DNA deaminase AID to the chromatin during CSR (aim 1) and that AID can
regulate expression of non-Ig genes to influence B cell responses (aim 2). Successful completion of the
experiments will have far reaching implications in our understanding of both B cell immunity and B cell
lymphomas.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10873189
- **Project number:** 5R01AI124186-08
- **Recipient organization:** SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH
- **Principal Investigator:** Jayanta Chaudhuri
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $531,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-02-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10873189

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10873189, RNA-directed targeting of AID in immunity and cancer (5R01AI124186-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10873189. Licensed CC0.

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