Transcriptional control of complement receptor gene expression.
1Department of Microbiology, Graduate Program in Immunology, The University of Iowa, 3-403 Bowen Science Bldg, 51 Newton Rd, Iowa, IA 52242, USA. brian-martin@uiowa.edu
Immunologic Research
|October 6, 2007
Summary
Understanding the genetic regulation of complement receptor genes is crucial for immunity and preventing diseases like atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. This review details the molecular control of key protective complement receptors and anaphylatoxin receptors.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The complement system is vital for immune response and host cell protection.
- Receptors for inflammatory anaphylatoxins are essential for immunity.
- Understanding complement receptor gene expression is critical but often lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current knowledge on the genetic regulation of key protective complement receptor genes.
- To discuss the regulation of anaphylatoxin receptor genes.
- To highlight the importance of gene regulation for understanding complement biology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on complement receptor gene expression.
- Analysis of genetic studies on promoter-enhancer polymorphisms.
- Synthesis of current understanding of molecular regulation.
Main Results:
- Key protective complement receptors reviewed include CR1 (CD35), CR2 (CD21), Crry, MCP (CD46), DAF (CD55), and CD59.
- Anaphylatoxin receptors C3aR and C5aR (CD88) gene regulation are discussed.
- Genetic polymorphisms in regulatory regions can contribute to diseases.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive understanding of complement receptor gene regulation is essential for advancing immunology.
- Further research into gene regulation mechanisms will uncover novel functions.
- This knowledge is critical for understanding complement-mediated inflammation and disease pathology.
Related Concept Videos
02:33Combinatorial Gene Control
Combinatorial gene control is the synergistic action of several transcriptional factors to regulate the expression of a single gene. The absence of one or more of these factors may lead to a significant difference in the level of gene expression or repression.
The expression of more than 30,000 genes is controlled by approximately 2000-3000 transcription factors. This is possible because a single transcription factor can recognize more than one regulatory sequence. The specificity in gene...
The expression of more than 30,000 genes is controlled by approximately 2000-3000 transcription factors. This is possible because a single transcription factor can recognize more than one regulatory sequence. The specificity in gene...
02:24Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
02:24Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
02:36RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins
Proteins that regulate transcription can do so either via direct contact with RNA Polymerase or through indirect interactions facilitated by adaptors, mediators, histone-modifying proteins, and nucleosome remodelers. Direct interactions to activate transcription is seen in bacteria as well as in some eukaryotic genes. In these cases, upstream activation sequences are adjacent to the promoters, and the activator proteins interact directly with the transcriptional machinery. For example, in...
01:27Complement System
The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a membrane...
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...