Identification of transcription coactivator OCA-B-dependent genes involved in antigen-dependent B cell differentiation by cDNA array analyses

doi:10.1073/pnas.1033108100

Identification of transcription coactivator OCA-B-dependent genes involved in antigen-dependent B cell differentiation by cDNA array analyses

^*Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and ^†Laboratory of Computational Genomics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021

Contributed by Robert G. Roeder, May 22, 2003

Abstract

The tissue-specific transcriptional coactivator OCA-B is required for antigen-dependent B cell differentiation events, including germinal center formation. However, the identity of OCA-B target genes involved in this process is unknown. This study has used large-scale cDNA arrays to monitor changes in gene expression patterns that accompany mature B cell differentiation. B cell receptor ligation alone induces many genes involved in B cell expansion, whereas B cell receptor and helper T cell costimulation induce genes associated with B cell effector function. OCA-B expression is induced by both B cell receptor ligation alone and helper T cell costimulation, suggesting that OCA-B is involved in B cell expansion as well as B cell function. Accordingly, several genes involved in cell proliferation and signaling, such as Lck, Kcnn4, Cdc37, cyclin D3, B4galt1, and Ms4a11, have been identified as OCA-B-dependent genes. Further studies on the roles played by these genes in B cells will contribute to an understanding of B cell differentiation.

Footnotes

↵ ‡ To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: roeder{at}mail.rockefeller.edu.
Abbreviations: OCT, octamer-binding transcription factor; OCA-B, OCT transcription coactivator from B cells; BCR, B cell antigen receptor; Th cell, helper T cell.