Schnurri-3 (KRC) interacts with c-Jun to regulate the IL-2 gene in T cells

J Exp Med. 2004 Jan 5;199(1):15-24. doi: 10.1084/jem.20030421.

Abstract

The activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor is a key participant in the control of T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and effector function. In the immune system, AP-1 activity is highest in T cells, suggesting that a subset of T cell-specific coactivator proteins exist to selectively potentiate AP-1 function. Here, we describe that the expression of Schnurri-3, also known as kappa recognition component (KRC), is induced upon T cell receptor signaling in T cells and functions to regulate the expression of the interleukin 2 (IL-2) gene. Overexpression of KRC in transformed and primary T cells leads to increased IL-2 production, whereas dominant-negative KRC, or loss of KRC protein in KRC-null mice, results in diminished IL-2 production. KRC physically associates with the c-Jun transcription factor and serves as a coactivator to augment AP-1-dependent IL-2 gene transcription.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / genetics*
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology
  • Transfection
  • Zinc Fingers

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • HIVEP3 protein, human
  • Hivep3 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate