title: Oct-2, although not required for early B-cell development, is critical for later B-cell maturation and for postnatal survival.
abstract: Oct-2, a POU homeo domain transcription factor, is believed to stimulate B-cell-restricted expression of immunoglobulin genes through binding sites in immunoglobulin gene promoters and enhancers. To determine whether Oct-2 is required for B-cell development or function, or has other developmental roles, the gene was disrupted by homologous recombination. Oct-2-l- mice develop normally but die within hours of birth for undetermined reasons. Mutants contain normal numbers of B-cell precursors but are somewhat deficient in IgM+ B cells. These B cells have a marked defect in their capacity to secrete immunoglobulin upon mitogenic stimulation in vitro. Thus, Oct-2 is not required for the generation of immunoglobulin-bearing B cells but is crucial for their maturation to immunoglobulin-secreting cells and for another undetermined organismal function.
authors.affiliation: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Corcoran
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karvelas
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Nossal
authors.forename: Z S
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jacks
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baltimore
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000235:genetics; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015322:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D050813:Octamer Transcription Factor-2; D011485:Protein Binding; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050813:Octamer Transcription Factor-2; C489206:Pou2f2 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors