Maintenance of the marginal-zone B cell compartment specifically requires the RNA-binding protein ZFP36L1

Nat Immunol. 2017 Jun;18(6):683-693. doi: 10.1038/ni.3724. Epub 2017 Apr 10.

Abstract

RNA-binding proteins of the ZFP36 family are best known for inhibiting the expression of cytokines through binding to AU-rich elements in the 3' untranslated region and promoting mRNA decay. Here we identified an indispensable role for ZFP36L1 as the regulator of a post-transcriptional hub that determined the identity of marginal-zone B cells by promoting their proper localization and survival. ZFP36L1 controlled a gene-expression program related to signaling, cell adhesion and locomotion; it achieved this in part by limiting expression of the transcription factors KLF2 and IRF8, which are known to enforce the follicular B cell phenotype. These mechanisms emphasize the importance of integrating transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes by RNA-binding proteins for maintaining cellular identity among closely related cell types.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Butyrate Response Factor 1
  • Cell Adhesion / genetics*
  • Cell Adhesion / immunology
  • Cell Movement / genetics*
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors / genetics
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Lymphoid Tissue / cytology
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / immunology
  • Phenotype
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / immunology
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Butyrate Response Factor 1
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors
  • Klf2 protein, mouse
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Zfp36l1 protein, mouse
  • interferon regulatory factor-8