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

J Immunol. 1999 Jul 1;163(1):295-300.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Cinnamates*
  • Deoxyribonuclease I / metabolism*
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic / immunology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Genes, T-Cell Receptor alpha*
  • Humans
  • Hygromycin B / analogs & derivatives
  • Hygromycin B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Hygromycin B / biosynthesis
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Locus Control Region / immunology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Neomycin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neomycin / biosynthesis
  • Plasmids / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Plasmids / chemical synthesis
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / immunology
  • Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / immunology*

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Cinnamates
  • DAD1 protein, human
  • Dad1 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Hygromycin B
  • hygromycin A
  • Deoxyribonuclease I
  • Neomycin