Transcriptional regulation of a gene is controlled by nuclear factors (proteins) that bind to cis-active regulatory DNA sequences. One model for such gene regulation in the immune system is the control of class II MHC gene expression in B lymphocytes, which is developmentally stage-specific and responds to a number of well-defined stimuli, such as the cytokine interleukin 4 (IL- 4). We have identified a nuclear protein called NF-BRE (Nuclear Factor binding to a B-cell Regulatory Element). This protein binds to a regulatory region upstream from the murine class II MHC gene Aa. One hypothesis of this proposal is that NF-BRE is an important transcription factor because: (1) it is present in B cell lines that constitutively express Aa but undetectable in myeloma cell lines that lack class II gene expression, and (2) it is induced by IL-4, which is known to enhance class II expression. An analysis of the structure, expression, and mechanisms of action of NF-BRE will enhance our understanding of how class II genes are regulated during immune responses. Because of the pleiotropic effects of transcription factors, the potential role of NF-BRE as a mediator of other specific responses to IL-4 will also be investigated. The objective of this proposal is to examine the structure and function of this DNA-binding protein, NF-BRE. We will first establish the effects of NF-BRE on the transcriptional activity of class II regulatory elements and on promoters from other genes. This analysis will be performed using transfection assays with a reporter gene, CAT (choramphenicol acetyl transferase). Such assays will be performed in B lineage cells to define the role of NF-BRE in the developmental stage-specific control of class II MHC gene expression. A second goal of this proposal is to determine whether NF-BRE is present in T cells, which also respond to IL-4, and to characterize the effect of interferon gamma (INF-gamma) on NF-BRE, since INF-gamma is known to block IL-4 induction of B-cell class II MHC expression. Detailed analyses of the role of this protein in transcription control will benefit from the availability of cDNA clones that encode NF-BRE. A major goal of the proposal is to isolate full-length cDNA clones that encode NF-BRE, using methods that have been successful in cloning DNA-binding proteins in our work and with other binding proteins. Transfection experiments with NF-BRE cDNA and myeloma cell lines will be used to demonstrate directly that NF-BRE is a transcription factor. We will further test the hypothesis that NF-BRE is present in non-B cells by examining the constitutive and IL-4 inducible tissue distribution of NF-BRE expression with cloned cDNA probes. Structural analyses of NF-BRE protein in those cell types that contain NF-BRE RNA will be performed using antisera directed against cloned NF-BRE. We will test whether altered forms of NF- BRE cDNA can block transcription of class II MHC and other IL-4 inducible genes. These studies will provide insights into the mechanism of transcriptional regulation of immunologically important genes such as those of the MHC.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
1R29GM042550-01
Application #
3467713
Study Section
Immunobiology Study Section (IMB)
Project Start
1989-07-01
Project End
1994-06-30
Budget Start
1989-07-01
Budget End
1990-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
082359691
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115