SHLD2 promotes class switch recombination by preventing inactivating deletions within the Igh locus

The newly identified shieldin complex, composed of SHLD1, SHLD2, SHLD3, and REV7, lies downstream of 53BP1 and acts to inhibit DNA resection and promote NHEJ. Here, we show that Shld2^-/- mice have defective class switch recombination (CSR) and that loss of SHLD2 can suppress the embryonic lethality of a Brca1^Δ11 mutation, highlighting its role as a key effector of 53BP1. Lymphocyte development and RAG1/2-mediated recombination were unaffected by SHLD2 deficiency. Interestingly, a significant fraction of Shld2^-/- primary B-cells and 53BP1- and shieldin-deficient CH12F3-2 B-cells permanently lose expression of immunoglobulin upon induction of CSR; this population of Ig-negative cells is also seen in other NHEJ-deficient cells and to a much lesser extent in WT cells. This loss of Ig is due to recombination coupled with overactive resection and loss of coding exons in the downstream acceptor constant region. Collectively, these data show that SHLD2 is the key effector of 53BP1 and critical for CSR in vivo by suppressing large deletions within the Igh locus.