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The characterization of the ABF-1 promoter

Author

Jessica Ezpeleta, University of the Pacific

Date of Award

2001

Document Type

Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Department

Biological Sciences

First Advisor

Craig A. Vierra

First Committee Member

Geoff Lin-Cereghino

Second Committee Member

Gregg Jongeward

Abstract

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family oftranscription factors consists of proteins involved in cellular proliferation and differentiation. The HLH structure plays a key role in protein-protein dimerization and with the DNA target sites, referred to as E boxes containing the consensus DNA sequence CANNTG. One class of mammalian class I bHLH proteins includes products of the E2A gene, which result from alternative splicing (E12, E47, and ITF), E2-2 and HEB. E2A proteins have also been detected in most cell lines with high levels of expression in lymphoid- and pancreatic cells. It has also been demonstrated that E2A is required for B cell maturation, T cell development and has been shown to function as tumor suppressors. To date, an E2A-interacting bHLH transcription factor largely restricted to activated B lymphocytes, called ABF -1, was isolated using the two-hybrid system. ABF -1 is the only B cell restricted bHLH protein isolated. ABF-1/E2A heterodimers have been detected in B lymphocytes. In these studies, the mapping of the ABF-1 promoter and the critical 5' regulatory elements that control ABF-1 gene expression were analyzed through 5' deletional analysis. 5' -DNA flanking pieces of the promoter region were created through PCR and inserted into a promoterless cloning vector containing the firefly luciferase reporter gene. RT -PCR analysis and anchored PCR was utilized to demonstrate the transcriptional activity of the - promoter region of the ABF-1 gene. Transient transfections were completed to determine critical regulatory sequences. The promoter location was confirmed through computer analysis of the nucleotide sequence and deletional analysis.

Pages

59

Recommended Citation

Ezpeleta, Jessica. (2001). The characterization of the ABF-1 promoter. University of the Pacific, Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/559