Octamer-dependent transcription in T cells is mediated by NFAT and NF-κB

Nucleic Acids Res. 2013 Feb 1;41(4):2138-54. doi: 10.1093/nar/gks1349. Epub 2013 Jan 4.

Abstract

The transcriptional co-activator BOB.1/OBF.1 was originally identified in B cells and is constitutively expressed throughout B cell development. BOB.1/OBF.1 associates with the transcription factors Oct1 and Oct2, thereby enhancing octamer-dependent transcription. In contrast, in T cells, BOB.1/OBF.1 expression is inducible by treatment of cells with PMA/Ionomycin or by antigen receptor engagement, indicating a marked difference in the regulation of BOB.1/OBF.1 expression in B versus T cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying the differential expression of BOB.1/OBF.1 in T and B cells remain largely unknown. Therefore, the present study focuses on mechanisms controlling the transcriptional regulation of BOB.1/OBF.1 and Oct2 in T cells. We show that both calcineurin- and NF-κB-inhibitors efficiently attenuate the expression of BOB.1/OBF.1 and Oct2 in T cells. In silico analyses of the BOB.1/OBF.1 promoter revealed the presence of previously unappreciated combined NFAT/NF-κB sites. An array of genetic and biochemical analyses illustrates the involvement of the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin as well as NFAT and NF-κB transcription factors in the transcriptional regulation of octamer-dependent transcription in T cells. Conclusively, impaired expression of BOB.1/OBF.1 and Oct2 and therefore a hampered octamer-dependent transcription may participate in T cell-mediated immunodeficiency caused by the deletion of NFAT or NF-κB transcription factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-2 / biosynthesis
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-2 / genetics*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Trans-Activators / biosynthesis
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-2
  • Pou2af1 protein, mouse
  • Trans-Activators