Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026

In Vitro Differentiation Model of Human Normal Memory B Cells to Long-lived Plasma Cells
Published on: January 20, 2019
Acetylation of C/EBPε is a prerequisite for terminal neutrophil differentiation
Marije Bartels1, Anita M Govers1, Veerle Fleskens2
1Department of Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine, and Division of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands;
Abstract:
C/EBPε, a member of the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) family of transcription factors, is exclusively expressed in myeloid cells and regulates transition from the promyelocytic stage to the myelocytic stage of neutrophil development, being indispensable for secondary and tertiary granule formation. Knowledge concerning the functional role of C/EBPε posttranslational modifications is limited to studies concerning phosphorylation and sumoylation. In the current study, using ectopic expression and ex vivo differentiation of CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells, we demonstrate that C/EBPε is acetylated, which was confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis, identifying 4 acetylated lysines in 3 distinct functional domains. Regulation of C/EBPε acetylation levels by the p300 acetyltransferase and the sirtuin 1 deacetylase controls transcriptional activity, which can at least in part be explained by modulation of DNA binding. During neutrophil development, acetylation of lysines 121 and 198 were found to be crucial for terminal neutrophil differentiation and the expression of neutrophil-specific granule proteins, including lactoferrin and collagenase. Taken together, our data illustrate a critical role for acetylation in the functional regulation of C/EBPε activity during terminal neutrophil development.
Related Concept Videos
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
Phase II Reactions: Acetylation Reactions
The substrates for acetylation are typically drugs or their metabolites with an amino, sulfonamide, or hydrazine functional group. Acetylation can occur at several points in the drug molecule, including primary, secondary, and...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
Lipids as Anchors
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains...

