Barthel R, Goldfeld AE. T Cell-Specific Expression of the Human TNF-α Gene Involves a Functional and Highly Conserved Chromatin Signature in Intron 3.
THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2003;
171:3612-9. [PMID:
14500658 DOI:
10.4049/jimmunol.171.7.3612]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Using a phylogenetic approach, we identified highly conserved sequences within intron 3 of the human TNF-alpha gene. These sequences form cell type-specific DNase I hypersensitivity sites and display cell type-specific DNA-protein contacts in in vivo genomic footprints. Consistent with these results, intron 3 confers specific activity upon a TNF-alpha reporter gene in Jurkat T cells, but not THP-1 monocytic cells. Thus, using a combinatorial approach of phylogenetic analysis, DNase I hypersensitivity analysis, in vivo footprinting, and transfection analysis, we demonstrate that intronic regulatory elements are involved in the cell type-specific regulation of TNF-alpha gene expression.
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