title: Genetic variation in the MHC II promoter: lessons for regulation and for comparative genomics.
abstract: Sequence data have been accumulating that reveal variation in gene promoters of the immune system, notably in MHC class II, cytokines and chemokines. The variation is non-random: it occurs most often in proximity to and within certain regulatory elements such as CRE and NFY (in MHC class II these are respectively the X2 and Y boxes). These are elements that are widely used elsewhere in the genome, and appear to act as rheostats (modulators of expression) in contrast to the type of on-off switch operated by the RFX element that is unique to a single family of promoters such as MHC class II. It is proposed that a complex mouse phenotype described in Prague and elsewhere may reflect this pattern of variation in/around CRE. Such rheostats are expected to operate in other promoters. Their identification will be facilitated by short-range comparisons (e.g. human-chimp), and indeed this is a motive for extending comparative genomics.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Mitchison
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D023281:Genomics; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*