Identification of tissue specific nuclear proteins: DNA sequence and protein binding regions in the T cell receptor beta J-C intron.

We have determined the DNA sequences in the J2-C2 intron of the T cell receptor (TCR) beta gene and analyzed nuclear proteins binding to this region. Previously, we identified two tissue-specific DNase I hypersensitive regions, potential regulatory regions, in the J-C intron. The DNA sequence of the J2-C2 intron revealed that both DNase I hypersensitive regions have similar DNA sequences, suggesting that these regions are evolutionarily conserved.

A T cell-specific enhancer is located in a DNase I-hypersensitive area at the 3' end of the CD3-delta gene.

During intrathymic differentiation, the genes coding for the T cell receptor/CD3 (TCR/CD3) complex are expressed in stages resulting in surface expression of competent receptors on the most mature T cells. The CD3-delta, gamma and epsilon proteins, which are expressed intracellularly in the earliest detectable cells of T lineage, form the core of the TCR/CD3 complex. In the present investigation aimed at understanding the tissue specific expression of the murine CD3-delta gene, a T cell specific DNase I hypersensitive site was found 0.

The T cell receptor V alpha 3 gene segment is associated with reactivity to p-azobenzenearsonate.

The murine T cell receptor V alpha 3 gene segment is associated with reactivity to p-azobenzenearsonate, as indicated by several independent lines of evidence. First, three out of four arsonate-reactive T cell clones tested (two I-Ad-and one I-Ak-restricted) utilized V alpha 3. Second, bulk splenic cultures enriched for arsonate/H-2d and arsonate/H-2k responsive T cells showed increased expression of V alpha 3 mRNA.