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Enhancer-blocking activity within the DNase I hypersensitive site 2 to 6 region between the TCR alpha and Dad1 genes.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Zhong, XP; Krangel, MS
Published in: J Immunol
July 1, 1999

Although tightly linked, the TCR alpha and delta genes are expressed specifically in T lymphocytes, whereas the Dad1 gene is ubiquitously expressed. Between TCR alpha and Dad1 are eight DNase I hypersensitive sites (HS). HS1 colocalizes with the TCR alpha enhancer (Ealpha) and is T cell-specific; HS2, -3, -4, -5, and -6 map downstream of HS1 and are tissue-nonspecific. The region spanning HS2-6 was reported to display chromatin-opening activity and to confer copy number-dependent and integration site-independent transgene expression in transgenic mice. Here, we demonstrate that HS2-6 also displays enhancer-blocking activity, as it can block an enhancer from activating a promoter when located between the two in a chromatin-integrated context, and can do so without repressing either the enhancer or the promoter. Multiple enhancer-blocking elements are arrayed across HS2-6. We show that HS2-6 by itself does not activate transcription in chromatin context, but can synergize with an enhancer when located upstream of an enhancer and promoter. We propose that HS2-6 primarily functions as an insulator or boundary element that may be critical for the autonomous regulation of the TCR alpha and Dad1 genes.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Immunol

ISSN

0022-1767

Publication Date

July 1, 1999

Volume

163

Issue

1

Start / End Page

295 / 300

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Plasmids
  • Neomycin
  • Mice
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Locus Control Region
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Immunology
  • Hygromycin B
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM

Published In

J Immunol

ISSN

0022-1767

Publication Date

July 1, 1999

Volume

163

Issue

1

Start / End Page

295 / 300

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Plasmids
  • Neomycin
  • Mice
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Locus Control Region
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Immunology
  • Hygromycin B