Transcription factor AP4 modulates reversible and epigenetic silencing of the Cd4 gene.

ABSTRACT: CD4 coreceptor expression is negatively regulated through activity of the Cd4 silencer in CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative (DN) thymocytes and CD8(+) cytotoxic lineage T cells. Whereas Cd4 silencing is reversed during transition from DN to CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive stages, it is maintained through heritable epigenetic processes following its establishment in mature CD8(+) T cells. We previously demonstrated that the Runx family of transcription factors is required for Cd4 silencing both in DN thymocytes and CD8(+) T cells. However, additional factors that cooperate with Runx proteins in the process of Cd4 silencing remain unknown. To identify collaborating factors, we used microarray and RNAi-based approaches and found the basic helix-loop-helix ZIP transcription factor AP4 to have an impor

SUBMITTER: Egawa T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3169121 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature