V-D-J recombination is the combinatorial process by which the huge range of immunoglobulin and T cell binding specificity is generated from a limited amount of genetic material. This process is synergistically activated by RAG1 and RAG2 in developing lymphocytes. Defects in RAG2 in humans are a cause of severe combined immunodeficiency B cell negative and Omenn syndrome.

1: RAG-1 and RAG-2, adjacent genes that synergistically activate V(D)J recombination. Oettinger MA, Schatz DG, Gorka C, Baltimore D; Science 1990;248:1517-1523. PMID:2360047