Long-range intrachromosomal interactions in the T helper type 2 cytokine locus

Nat Immunol. 2004 Oct;5(10):1017-27. doi: 10.1038/ni1115. Epub 2004 Sep 19.

Abstract

The T helper type 2 (T(H)2) locus control region is important in the regulation of the genes encoding the cytokines interleukins 4, 5 and 13. Using the chromosome conformation capture technique, we found that in T cells, natural killer cells, B cells and fibroblasts, the promoters for the genes encoding T(H)2 cytokines are located in close spatial proximity, forming an initial chromatin core configuration. In CD4(+) T cells and natural killer cells, but not B cells and fibroblasts, the T(H)2 locus control region participates in this configuration. The transcription factors GATA3 and STAT6 are essential for the establishment and/or maintenance of these interactions. Intrachromosomal interactions in the T(H)2 cytokine locus may form the basis for the coordinated transcriptional regulation of cytokine-encoding genes by the T(H)2 locus control region.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / physiology
  • Chromatin / chemistry
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Cytokines / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor
  • Locus Control Region*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred AKR
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Conformation
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Trans-Activators / physiology

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Cytokines
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor
  • Gata3 protein, mouse
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Stat6 protein, mouse
  • Trans-Activators
  • Calcium