title: EBP1 and DRBP76/NF90 binding proteins are included in the major histocompatibility complex class II RNA operon.
abstract: Major histocompatibility complex class II mRNAs encode heterodimeric proteins involved in the presentation of exogenous antigens during an immune response. Their 3'UTRs bind a protein complex in which we identified two factors: EBP1, an ErbB3 receptor-binding protein and DRBP76, a double-stranded RNA binding nuclear protein, also known as nuclear factor 90 (NF90). Both are well-characterized regulatory factors of several mRNA molecules processing. Using either EBP1 or DRBP76/NF90-specific knockdown experiments, we established that the two proteins play a role in regulating the expression of HLA-DRA, HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQA1 mRNAs levels. Our study represents the first indication of the existence of a functional unit that includes different transcripts involved in the adaptive immune response. We propose that the concept of 'RNA operon' may be suitable for our system in which MHCII mRNAs are modulated via interaction of their 3'UTR with same proteins.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati Traverso', CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Corso
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pisapia
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Citro
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cicatiello
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barba
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cigliano
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Abrescia
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maffei
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Manco
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Del Pozzo
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D050779:Nuclear Factor 90 Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009876:Operon; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; C429643:ILF3 protein, human; D050779:Nuclear Factor 90 Proteins; C101633:PA2G4 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins