Multiple nuclear factors interact with sequences within the J beta 2-C beta 2 intron of the murine T cell receptor beta-chain gene.
Identification of tissue-specific DNaseI hypersensitive sites in the TCR J beta 2-C beta 2 intron has suggested the presence of sequences involved in the regulation of gene expression. Therefore, we have searched for protein-DNA interactions within a 930-bp fragment derived from the J beta 2-C beta 2 intron by in vitro DNaseI protection experiments and electrophoretic mobility-shift assays. This analysis has revealed, in addition to a previously characterized NF-kappa B binding site, the presence of seven potential protein-DNA interaction sites within this fragment. Interestingly, they are clustered in the regions where in vivo T cell-specific nuclease hypersensitive sites have been previously identified. Binding sites for four potential transcription factors have been mapped precisely by methylation-interference experiments. Sequence comparisons show that one of them is homologous to the Y box present in the promoter regions of MHC class II genes. Identification of several protein-DNA interactions clustered within the J beta 2-C beta 2 intron and the presence of binding sites for two well-characterized transcription factors suggest a transcriptional regulatory function for this region.
Mauxion
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Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02254-9110.
Pray
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MG
Sen
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D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005796:Genes; D007438:Introns; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D015183:Restriction Mapping
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta