Reporter gene insertions reveal a strictly B lymphoid-specific expression pattern of Pax5 in support of its B cell identity function

M Fuxa, M Busslinger - The Journal of Immunology, 2007 - journals.aai.org
M Fuxa, M Busslinger
The Journal of Immunology, 2007journals.aai.org
The transcription factor Pax5 is essential for B cell commitment and development. Although
the detailed Pax5 expression pattern within the hemopoietic system is still largely unknown,
we previously reported that Pax5 is monoallelically transcribed in pro-B and mature B cells.
In this study, we have investigated the expression of Pax5 at single-cell resolution by
inserting a GFP or human Cd2 indicator gene under the translational control of an internal
ribosomal entry sequence into the 3′ untranslated region of Pax5. These insertions were …
Abstract
The transcription factor Pax5 is essential for B cell commitment and development. Although the detailed Pax5 expression pattern within the hemopoietic system is still largely unknown, we previously reported that Pax5 is monoallelically transcribed in pro-B and mature B cells. In this study, we have investigated the expression of Pax5 at single-cell resolution by inserting a GFP or human Cd2 indicator gene under the translational control of an internal ribosomal entry sequence into the 3′ untranslated region of Pax5. These insertions were noninvasive, as B cell development was normal in Pax5 ihCd2/ihCd2 and Pax5 iGFP/iGFP mice. Transheterozygous Pax5 ihCd2/iGFP mice coexpressed GFP and human CD2 at similar levels from pro-B to mature B cells, thus demonstrating biallelic expression of Pax5 at all stages of B cell development. No reporter gene expression could be detected in plasma cells and non-B cells of the hemopoietic system. Moreover, the vast majority of common lymphoid progenitors and pre-pro-B cells in the bone marrow of Pax5 iGFP/iGFP mice did not yet express GFP, indicating that Pax5 expression is fully switched on only during the transition from uncommitted pre-pro-B cells to committed pro-B cells. Hence, the transcriptional initiation and B cell-specific expression of Pax5 is entirely consistent with its B cell lineage commitment function.
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