Selective deployment of transcription factor paralogs with submaximal strength facilitates gene regulation in the immune system.

ABSTRACT: In multicellular organisms, duplicated genes can diverge through tissue-specific gene expression patterns, as exemplified by highly regulated expression of RUNX transcription factor paralogs with apparent functional redundancy. Here we asked what cell-type-specific biologies might be supported by the selective expression of RUNX paralogs during Langerhans cell and inducible regulatory T cell differentiation. We uncovered functional nonequivalence between RUNX paralogs. Selective expression of native paralogs allowed integration of transcription factor activity with extrinsic signals, while non-native paralogs enforced differentiation even in the absence of exogenous inducers. DNA binding affinity was controlled by divergent amino acids within the otherwise highly conserved RUNT domain and

SUBMITTER: Bruno L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6754753 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature