Notch2 is preferentially expressed in mature B cells and indispensable for marginal zone B lineage development.
The Notch genes play a key role in cellular differentiation. The significance of Notch1 during thymocyte development is well characterized, but the function of Notch2 is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that Notch2 but no other Notch family member is preferentially expressed in mature B cells and that conditionally targeted deletion of Notch2 results in the defect of marginal zone B (MZB) cells and their presumed precursors, CD1d(hi) fraction of type 2 transitional B cells. Among Notch target genes, the expression level of Deltex1 is prominent in MZB cells and strictly dependent on that of Notch2, suggesting that Deltex1 may play a role in MZB cell differentiation.
Saito
Toshiki
T
Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Chiba
Shigeru
S
Ichikawa
Motoshi
M
Kunisato
Atsushi
A
Asai
Takashi
T
Shimizu
Kiyoshi
K
Yamaguchi
Tomoyuki
T
Yamamoto
Go
G
Seo
Sachiko
S
Kumano
Keiki
K
Nakagami-Yamaguchi
Etsuko
E
Hamada
Yoshio
Y
Aizawa
Shinichi
S
Hirai
Hisamaru
H
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006579:Heterozygote; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051883:Receptor, Notch2; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C497765:Notch2 protein, mouse; D011506:Proteins; D051883:Receptor, Notch2; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C409218:deltex protein, vertebrate