The transcription factor c-Myc enhances KIR gene transcription through direct binding to an upstream distal promoter element.
The killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) repertoire of natural killer (NK) cells determines their ability to detect infected or transformed target cells. Although epigenetic mechanisms play a role in KIR gene expression, work in the mouse suggests that other regulatory elements may be involved at specific stages of NK-cell development. Here we report the effects of the transcription factor c-Myc on KIR expression. c-Myc directly binds to, and promotes transcription from, a distal element identified upstream of most KIR genes. Binding of endogenous c-Myc to the distal promoter element is significantly enhanced upon interleukin-15 (IL-15) stimulation in peripheral blood NK cells and correlates with an increase in KIR transcription. In addition, the overexpression of c-Myc during NK-cell development promotes transcription from the distal promoter element and contributes to the overall transcription of multiple KIR genes. Our data demonstrate the significance of the 5' promoter element upstream of the conventional KIR promoter region and support a model whereby IL-15 stimulates c-Myc binding at the distal KIR promoter during NK-cell development to promote KIR transcription. This finding provides a direct link between NK-cell activation signals and KIR expression required for acquisition of effector function during NK-cell education.
Cichocki
Frank
F
Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Hanson
Rebecca J
RJ
Lenvik
Todd
T
Pitt
Michelle
M
McCullar
Valarie
V
Li
Hongchuan
H
Anderson
Stephen K
SK
Miller
Jeffrey S
JS
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011485:Protein Binding; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000235:genetics*; D054344:Receptors, KIR2DL3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D054341:Receptors, KIR3DL1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020218:Response Elements / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
C515078:KIR2DL3 protein, human; C515083:KIR3DL1 protein, human; C489427:MYC protein, human; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D054344:Receptors, KIR2DL3; D054341:Receptors, KIR3DL1; D014157:Transcription Factors