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Control of chromatin accessibility for V(D)J recombination by interleukin‐7
Author(s) -
Huang Jiaqiang,
Muegge Kathrin
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.69.6.907
Subject(s) - v(d)j recombination , biology , chromatin , recombinase , recombination signal sequences , histone , recombination , locus (genetics) , t cell receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , dna , recombination activating gene , gene , immune system , t cell
IL‐7 is a key factor for lymphoid development, and it contributes to V(D)J recombination at multiple loci in immune‐receptor genes. IL‐7 signal transduction, involving γ c and Jak3, is required for successful recombination at the TCR‐γ locus. IL‐7 signaling controls the initiation phase of V(D)J recombination by controlling access of the V(D)J recombinase to the locus. In the absence of IL‐7, the TCR‐γ locus is methylated and packaged in a repressed form of chromatin consisting of hypoacetylated histones. IL‐7 signaling likely increases the acetylation state of the nucleosomal core histones resulting in an “open” form of chromatin. This opening leads to a higher accessibility for the transcription machinery and increased accessibility of the Rag heterodimer that performs the cleavage of DNA.