The presence of a DNA binding complex correlates with E beta class II MHC gene expression.
The class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC, Ia) antigens are a family of membrane proteins whose expression is strictly regulated. They have a limited tissue distribution and their expression is regulated both developmentally and in response to external stimuli. Here we report the identification of a DNA binding protein complex (termed complex A) within the murine E beta MHC gene, which is restricted to cells that express Ia antigens. Complex A binding activity is developmentally regulated in cells of the B lineage in accordance with class II expression and is responsive to two different Ia-inducing lymphokines, interferon-gamma in macrophages and interleukin-4 in pre-B cells. The DNA target sequence in complex A includes three previously defined transcriptional motifs W, X and Y, and acts as a cis-acting transcription element. Complex A is present both in cells that are constitutive for class II MHC expression and in cells that have been induced for class II MHC expression. These results suggest that complex A may play a critical role in the regulation of class II MHC gene expression.
Finn
P W
PW
Department of Cancer Biology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115.
Kara
C J
CJ
Van
T T
TT
Douhan
J
J
Boothby
M R
MR
Glimcher
L H
LH
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II