Locus control region function and heterochromatin-induced position effect variegation.
Human CD2 locus control region (LCR) sequences are shown here to be essential for establishing an open chromatin configuration. Transgenic mice carrying an hCD2 mini-gene attached only to the 3' CD2 transcriptional enhancer exhibited variegated expression when the transgene integrated in the centromere. In contrast, mice carrying a transgene with additional 3' sequences showed no variegation even when the latter integrated in centromeric positions. This result suggests that LCRs operate by ensuring an open chromatin configuration and that a short region, with no enhancer activity, functions in the establishment, maintenance, or both of an open chromatin domain.
Festenstein
R
R
Division of Molecular Immunology, National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, London, UK.
Tolaini
M
M
Corbella
P
P
Mamalaki
C
C
Parrington
J
J
Fox
M
M
Miliou
A
A
Jones
M
M
Kioussis
D
D
D000818:Animals; D018801:CD2 Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D002503:Centromere / Q000235:genetics; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D019076:Transgenes
D018801:CD2 Antigens; D006570:Heterochromatin