The mechanism of repression of the myeloid-specific c-fms gene by Pax5 during B lineage restriction

EMBO J. 2006 Mar 8;25(5):1070-80. doi: 10.1038/sj.emboj.7600997. Epub 2006 Feb 16.

Abstract

The transcription factor Pax5 (BSAP) is required for the expression of a B-cell-specific genetic program and for B-cell differentiation, and also to suppress genes of alternative lineages. The molecular mechanism by which repression of myeloid genes occurs during early B-lineage restriction is unknown and in this study we addressed this question. One of the genes repressed by Pax5 in B cells is the colony-stimulating factor receptor 1 gene (csf1r or c-fms). We examined the changes in chromatin caused by Pax5 activity, and we show that Pax5 is directly recruited to c-fms resulting in the rapid loss of RNA polymerase II binding, followed by loss of transcription factor binding and DNaseI hypersensitivity at all cis-regulatory elements. We also show that Pax5 targets the basal transcription machinery of c-fms by interacting with a binding site within the major transcription start sites. Our results support a model by which Pax5 does not lead to major alterations in chromatin modification, but inhibits transcription by interfering with the action of myeloid transcription factors.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Cell Lineage*
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • DNA Footprinting
  • Deoxyribonuclease I / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myeloid Cells / cytology
  • Myeloid Cells / metabolism*
  • PAX5 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • PAX5 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA Polymerase II
  • Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / genetics*
  • Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Response Elements / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription Initiation Site
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • PAX5 Transcription Factor
  • Pax5 protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • proto-oncogene protein Spi-1
  • Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • RNA Polymerase II
  • Deoxyribonuclease I