Related Experiment Videos
DNase I hypersensitive sites flank the mouse class II major histocompatibility complex during B cell development
1Immunology Division, National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, London, UK.
Nucleic Acids Research
|September 25, 1991
Summary
Specific hypersensitive sites flanking the mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II region mark B cell lineage commitment. These sites are stable across B cell differentiation stages, indicating regulatory roles in gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The mouse class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is crucial for immune response and primarily expressed on B cells and antigen-presenting cells.
- Understanding the regulatory elements controlling MHC class II expression is vital, particularly during B cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chromatin structure and identify regulatory elements controlling mouse MHC class II gene expression.
- To map DNase I hypersensitive (DHS) sites adjacent to the MHC class II region during B cell development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a panel of mouse cell lines representing different B cell differentiation stages (pre-B, B, plasma cell) and non-B cell lines.
- Mapped DNase I hypersensitive (DHS) sites in the chromatin flanking the mouse MHC class II region.
Main Results:
- Identified specific DHS sites flanking the mouse MHC class II locus during pre-B, B, and plasma cell stages.
- These DHS sites were consistently found across B cell differentiation stages, regardless of MHC class II expression status.
- DHS sites were absent in T cells, fibroblasts, and uninduced myelomonocytic cell lines.
Conclusions:
- The identified DHS sites represent a developmentally stable chromatin structure, serving as a marker for B cell lineage commitment.
- These sites may indicate the presence of regulatory proteins involved in controlling the expression of specific MHC class II genes or the entire locus.