Abstract
We describe a novel gene, Blimp-1 (for B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein), transcripts of which are rapidly induced during the differentiation of B lymphocytes into immunoglobulin secretory cells and whose expression is characteristic of late B and plasma cell lines. The 856 amino acid open reading frame contains five Krüppel-type zinc finger motifs and proline-rich and acidic regions similar to those of known transcription factors. Serological studies show an approximately 100 kd protein that localizes to the nucleus. Stable or transient transfection of Blimp-1 into B cell lymphoma lines leads to the expression of many of the phenotypic changes associated with B cell differentiation into an early plasma cell stage, including induction of J chain message and immunoglobulin secretion, up-regulation of Syndecan-1, and increased cell size and granularity. Thus, Blimp-1 appears to be a pleiotropic regulatory factor capable of at least partially driving the terminal differentiation of B cells.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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B-Lymphocytes / cytology
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology
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B-Lymphocytes / physiology*
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Base Sequence
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Cell Differentiation / genetics*
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Cell Line
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Cloning, Molecular
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DNA, Complementary / isolation & purification
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Genes, Immunoglobulin / genetics*
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Immunoglobulin J-Chains / analysis
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Immunoglobulin J-Chains / biosynthesis
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Immunoglobulin M / analysis
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Immunoglobulin M / biosynthesis
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Mice
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Plasma Cells / cytology
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Plasma Cells / immunology
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Plasma Cells / physiology*
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
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Repressor Proteins*
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Sequence Alignment
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Sequence Analysis, DNA
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Transcription Factors / analysis
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Transcription Factors / genetics*
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Transcription Factors / physiology
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Transfection
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Zinc Fingers / genetics*
Substances
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DNA, Complementary
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Immunoglobulin J-Chains
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Immunoglobulin M
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Prdm1 protein, mouse
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RNA, Messenger
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins
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Repressor Proteins
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Transcription Factors
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Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1