Premium
A transcriptional silencer controls the developmental expression of the CD4 gene.
Author(s) -
Siu G.,
Wurster A.L.,
Duncan D.D.,
Soliman T.M.,
Hedrick S.M.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1994.tb06664.x
Subject(s) - biology , gene expression , silencer , regulation of gene expression , genetics , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , mechanical engineering , engineering , inlet
The appropriate expression of the CD4 glycoprotein is required for T‐cell function and development. Here we define the transcriptional control elements in the CD4 locus that convey CD(4+)‐specific expression of a marker gene in transgenic mice. Using nuclear run‐on experiments, we have determined that the major mechanism for CD4 expression control during development is transcriptional. We have identified a developmental stage‐ and tissue‐specific negative regulatory element in the first intron of the murine CD4 gene that has the characteristics of a transcriptional silencer. The CD4 silencer functions to inhibit marker gene expression at two different stages of T‐cell development, as well as in non‐T hematopoietic cells, and thus is the critical controlling element responsible for T‐cell‐specific, as well as developmental‐ and subclass‐specific, expression.