The Journal of Immunology, Vol 154, Issue 10 5181-5187, Copyright © 1995 by American Association of Immunologists

ARTICLES

Activation of transcription by binding of NF-E1 (YY1) to a newly identified element in the first exon of the human DR alpha gene

T Hehlgans and JL Strominger
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.

A previously unrecognized element, located downstream of the start site of transcription in the first exon of the DR alpha gene, has been defined that enhances promoter activity up to eightfold in a position- dependent manner. Mutations in this DNA-binding site abolished binding of a nuclear factor in human B cell nuclear extract and decreased the activity of the DR alpha promoter to a basal level. Significant sequence homology of this element was found in the DNA of the DR beta, DP alpha and -beta, and DQ alpha genes, always located downstream of the transcriptional start site. The nuclear factor binds to the DR alpha and DP alpha element but not to the element in the DQ alpha gene. It was identified as NF-E1 (YY1). This protein, previously identified by its binding to the Ig kappa 3' enhancer and the Ig heavy chain mu E1 site, thus also appears to be quite important in the regulation of MHC class II gene expression.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Grimm, M. Spiecker, R. De Caterina, W. S. Shin, and J. K. Liao Inhibition of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Gene Transcription by Nitric Oxide and Antioxidants J. Biol. Chem., July 12, 2002; 277(29): 26460 - 26467. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Osborne, H. Zhang, W.-M. Yang, E. Seto, and G. Blanck Histone Deacetylase Activity Represses Gamma Interferon-Inducible HLA-DR Gene Expression following the Establishment of a DNase I-Hypersensitive Chromatin Conformation Mol. Cell. Biol., October 1, 2001; 21(19): 6495 - 6506. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. G. Tenen, R. Hromas, J. D. Licht, and D.-E. Zhang Transcription Factors, Normal Myeloid Development, and Leukemia Blood, July 15, 1997; 90(2): 489 - 519. [Full Text] [PDF]