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Characterization of a Schwann cell enhancer in the myelin basic protein gene
Author(s) -
Taveggia Carla,
Pizzagalli Antonella,
Fagiani Ernesta,
Messing Albee,
Feltri M. Laura,
Wrabetz Lawrence
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2004.02745.x
Subject(s) - myelin basic protein , enhancer , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , myelin , schwann cell , transcription factor , gene , genetics , neuroscience , central nervous system
Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells use diverse regulatory elements to transcribe myelin basic protein ( Mbp ). For example, an enhancer 9.0 kb upstream of Mbp ( Mbp SCE1) activated either the proximal Mbp or hsp68 promoters only in Schwann cells in transgenic mice. Here, we analyze Mbp SCE1 in vitro and in vivo and show that Mbp SCE1 also activates another myelin gene, Mpz , specifically in Schwann cells in transgenic mice. Surprisingly, although Mbp SCE1 behaves as an enhancer in Schwann cells, we show here for the first time that it also activates transcription robustly in cultured oligodendrocytes, but only from its original genomic position. Diverse nuclear proteins binding at distinct combinations of DNA elements in the two cell types may account for cell‐specific Mbp SCE1 function. A further surprise is that Mbp SCE1 activation does not depend on consensus binding sites for the myelin‐associated PPARβ or Krox 20 transcription factors. Finally, chromatin context augments activation of Mbp SCE1. Therefore, Mbp SCE1 is active in both Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes, but by diverse mechanisms.