Tissue-specific chromatin modifications at a multigene locus generate asymmetric transcriptional interactions

Mol Cell Biol. 2006 Aug;26(15):5569-79. doi: 10.1128/MCB.00405-06.

Abstract

Random assortment within mammalian genomes juxtaposes genes with distinct expression profiles. This organization, along with the prevalence of long-range regulatory controls, generates a potential for aberrant transcriptional interactions. The human CD79b/GH locus contains six tightly linked genes with three mutually exclusive tissue specificities and interdigitated control elements. One consequence of this compact organization is that the pituitary cell-specific transcriptional events that activate hGH-N also trigger ectopic activation of CD79b. However, the B-cell-specific events that activate CD79b do not trigger reciprocal activation of hGH-N. Here we utilized DNase I hypersensitive site mapping, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and transgenic models to explore the basis for this asymmetric relationship. The results reveal tissue-specific patterns of chromatin structures and transcriptional controls at the CD79b/GH locus in B cells distinct from those in the pituitary gland and placenta. These three unique transcriptional environments suggest a set of corresponding gene expression pathways and transcriptional interactions that are likely to be found juxtaposed at multiple sites within the eukaryotic genome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • CD79 Antigens / genetics*
  • CD79 Antigens / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Chromatin / metabolism*
  • Deoxyribonuclease I / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Human Growth Hormone / genetics
  • Human Growth Hormone / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Locus Control Region
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • CD79 Antigens
  • CD79B protein, human
  • Chromatin
  • Histones
  • Human Growth Hormone
  • Deoxyribonuclease I