title: RelB is a key player for both kappa B-dependent transcription and demethylation in B cells.
abstract: NF-kappa B was originally identified as a B cell-specific nuclear factor binding to the intronic kappa-light-chain enhancer element. It is found constitutively in the nucleus of mature B and plasma cells. In other cell types including pre-B cells, NF-kappa B is sequestered in the cytoplasm but can be induced by a variety of stimuli. In contrast to essentially all other mature B cells and plasma cell lines, the S107 plasmacytoma cell line lacks both constitutive and inducible kappa B-binding activity. A molecular characterization of the defect in these S107 cells suggests that the primary defect lies in the signal transduction pathway leading to NF-kappa B induction. Ectopic expression of RelB after stable transfection of these cells restores constitutive nuclear kappa B-binding activity. Moreover, kappa B-dependent transcription is also restored. Finally we demonstrate, that in contrast to parental S107 cells, the stable RelB transfectants have also regained the ability to specifically demethylate a transfected immunoglobulin kappa-locus. These data suggest that RelB is critically involved in both B cell-specific transcription and demethylation directed by the intronic kappa-enhancer element.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Radiology and Cell Research, University Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kistler
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wirth
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D008745:Methylation; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D051841:Transcription Factor RelB; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051841:Transcription Factor RelB