Specific demethylation of the CD4 gene during CD4 T lymphocyte differentiation.
The expression of CD4 during T cell development is a highly regulated process. Numerous regulatory elements have been identified including a promoter, two distinct enhancers and a silencer. Here we report a methylation site in the first intron of the CD4 gene that is specifically demethylated in cells which have previously, or are currently expressing CD4. In addition, this site becomes progressively demethylated as T lymphocytes differentiate from double-negative to double-positive to CD4 single-positive thymocytes, and finally to CD4 single-positive peripheral T lymphocytes. This specific and progressive demethylation suggests that this site represents another potential control region for the regulation of CD4.
Tutt Landolfi
M M
MM
Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical School, CA 94305-5487, USA.
Scollay
R
R
Parnes
J R
JR
D000818:Animals; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019175:DNA Methylation; D005796:Genes; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D019463:Mice, Inbred MRL lpr; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens