The regulation of HLA class II genes is of particular interest with regard to the modulation of the immune response. The polymorphism of their coding regions is directly involved in the specificity of the Ag presentation, and their level of expression affects the extent of T cell activation. Previously, we have described an allelic polymorphism in the proximal promoter regions of HLA-DRB genes. The aim of this study was to compare the transcriptional activities of the promoters of the DRB genes and DRB1 alleles in a transient expression system. We have demonstrated a marked difference in their promoter strengths, as determined by their relative abilities to initiate transcription of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene in human B cell lines. The polymorphism of the promoter regions has been mapped to the regulatory boxes, and, by using gel retardation experiments, we found a differential ability of the nuclear proteins to bind to the partially conserved X box regions. Taken together, our results demonstrate the functional consequences of the allelic polymorphism of the proximal promoter regions of the DRB genes. These findings strongly suggest the existence, for the HLA-DR genes, of an interdependence between the polymorphism of the coding regions, which directly affects the capacity of peptide binding, and the polymorphism of the regulatory regions, which influences the transcriptional activities of the promoters.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations鈥揷itations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright 漏 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 馃挋 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.