TCF-1, a T cell-specific transcription factor of the HMG box family, interacts with sequence motifs in the TCR beta and TCR delta enhancers.
We have recently identified and cloned TCF-1, a T cell-specific transcription factor with specificity for the AACAAAG motif in the CD3 epsilon enhancer and for the TTCAAAG motif in the TCR alpha enhancer. TCF-1 belongs to the family of transcription-regulating proteins which share a region of homology termed the HMG-box. Here, we show by gel retardation analysis that TCF-1 specifically recognizes the T beta 5 element of the TCR beta enhancer and the T delta 7 element of the TCR delta enhancer. Comparison of the sequences of all elements recognized by TCF-1 defines a consensus motif A/T A/T C A A/G A G. These observations imply that TCF-1 is involved in the control of several T cell-specific genes and might thus play an important role in the establishment and maintenance of the mature T cell phenotype.
Oosterwegel
M A
MA
Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van de Wetering
M L
ML
Holstege
F C
FC
Prosser
H M
HM
Owen
M J
MJ
Clevers
H C
HC
D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000235:genetics*; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA