The transcriptional regulation of B cell lineage commitment.
The expression of lineage-associated genes, as well as the survival and expansion of committed B cell progenitors, is controlled by multiple transcriptional regulators and growth-factor receptors. Whereas certain DNA-binding proteins, such as Ikaros and PU.1, are required primarily for the formation of more primitive lymphoid progenitors, other factors such as E2A and EBF1 have more direct roles in specifying the B cell-specific gene-expression program. Further, Pax5 functions to promote B cell commitment by repressing lineage-inappropriate gene expression and reinforcing B cell-specific gene expression. In this review, we focus on recent studies that have revealed that instead of a simple transcriptional hierarchy, efficient B cell commitment and differentiation requires the combinatorial activity of multiple transcription factors in a complex gene regulatory network.
Nutt
Stephen L
SL
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia. nutt@wehi.edu.au
Kee
Barbara L
BL
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D014157:Transcription Factors