Campus Access Only

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of University of the Pacific. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Characterization of downstream target genes regulated by ABF-1 in different states of B cell development

Author

Anthony R. Eusebio, University of the Pacific

Date of Award

2005

Document Type

Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Department

Biological Sciences

First Advisor

Craig A. Vierra

First Committee Member

Lisa Wrischnik

Second Committee Member

Geoffrey Lin-Cereghino

Third Committee Member

Paul Richmond

Abstract

The ABF-1 gene encodes for a protein that belongs to the basic helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors. ABF-1 mRNA molecules have been detected in the lymphoid tissues, which include the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and appendix, as well as transformed B cells lines infected with Epstein-Barr virus. This study investigates the role of ABF-1 in regulating downstream target genes in the human mature B cell line RAJI, as well as the plasma cell line, ARH-77. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and DNA microarray technology was used to investigate target genes that are subjected to transcriptional regulation by ABF-1. Using ABF-1 inducible cell lines or B cell lines that overexpress ABF -1 by transient transfection experiments, we discovered many cellular genes that change in their transcriptional profiles in response to ABF -1 expression. Based upon the analysis of genes being affected following ABF-1 induction, our results support the hypothesis that ABF-1 primarily functions as a transcriptional repressor in vivo. Many genes that regulate the cellular processes of apoptosis, as well as the cell cycle, were repressed following ABF-1 expression. Because EBV has been reported to control ABF-1 gene expression, the identification of downstream target genes regulated by ABF-1 may provide insight into the molecular events that follow after EBV infection.

Pages

68

Recommended Citation

Eusebio, Anthony R.. (2005). Characterization of downstream target genes regulated by ABF-1 in different states of B cell development. University of the Pacific, Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/618