Differential transcription elements direct expression of HLA-DQ genes.
Regulation of class II MHC gene expression, including the HLA-DQ genes, is primarily at the level of transcription. Locus-specific control of DQ gene transcription is both tissue-specific and developmentally regulated and relies on complex mechanisms involving specific DNA-protein interactions. Electrophoretic mobility shift and DNase I protection assays demonstrate the presence of unique nuclear protein interactions with the consensus W and Y box elements in the DQB1 promoter region in DQ-negative cell lines. Based on these and other recent studies, a multistage model of DQ gene regulation is outlined to account for specific patterns of DQ gene expression.
Woolfrey
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Immunology and Diabetes Program, Virginia Mason Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98101.
Nepom
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D002460:Cell Line; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens