Blimp-1Deltaexon7: a naturally occurring Blimp-1 deletion mutant with auto-regulatory potential

Exp Cell Res. 2008 Dec 10;314(20):3614-27. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2008.09.008. Epub 2008 Sep 25.

Abstract

Blimp-1 is a master regulator of terminal B cell differentiation and plays a pivotal role in various developmental processes. In addition to full length Blimp-1, a Blimp-1 mRNA lacking exon 7 (Blimp-1Delta7) has been described to occur in murine B cells. The activity and function of the mutant mRNA-encoded protein (Blimp-1Delta7), lacking three crucial zinc fingers necessary for DNA interaction, is completely unknown. Since isoforms of other prdm family proteins affect each other's functions, we wondered whether Blimp-1Delta7 still plays a role in B cells, independent of direct DNA binding. In this study, we found that Blimp-1Delta7 is preferentially expressed in naïve CD19(+) B cells. A fraction of Blimp-1Delta7 migrates to the nucleus, colocalizes with HDAC2 and is found at sites of repressed chromatin, although it does not bind to the Blimp-1 DNA consensus site. Unexpectedly, Blimp-1 and Blimp-1Delta7 homodimerize as well as heterodimerize with each other. Ectopic expression of Blimp-1Delta7 in WEHI 231 cells, a Blimp-1-negative murine lymphoma line, leads to cessation of proliferation and enhancement of apoptosis. Importantly, LPS-induced differentiation is suppressed in the presence of Blimp-1Delta7. This is in agreement with our finding that Blimp-1Delta7 interferes with endogenous Blimp-1 expression. Thus, our data suggest an auto-regulatory mechanism of Blimp-1 activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD19 / metabolism
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Autocrine Communication / genetics
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Exons
  • Gene Deletion*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mutant Proteins / genetics
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism
  • Mutant Proteins / physiology
  • Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Isoforms / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Prdm1 protein, mouse
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transcription Factors
  • Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1