V(D)J recombination is essential for developing lymphocytes and the specific functioning of the immune system. Germline gene coding segments become rearranged to create functional immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes by this recombination. The process depends on site-specific cleavage of chromosomal DNA by RAG-1 and RAG-2 recombinase. Two recombination-activating gene proteins (RAG-1/2) in conjunction make up a complex of enzymes that join gene segments of B-cell and T-cell receptor genes. RAG-1 contains most of the V(D)J recombinase active site and RAG-2 is essential in joining DNA segments during V(D)J recombination. RAG-1/2 have similarity in action to other DNA transposases and HIV-1 integrase. These similarities suggest that HIV-1 integrase inhibitors may have the potential to affect aspects of both B-cell and T-cell development.