A positive role for NLI/Ldb1 in long-range beta-globin locus control region function

Mol Cell. 2007 Dec 14;28(5):810-22. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2007.09.025.

Abstract

Long-range interactions between distant regulatory elements, such as enhancers, and their target genes underlie the specificity of gene expression in many developmentally regulated gene families. NLI/Ldb1, a widely expressed nuclear factor, is a potential mediator of long-range interactions. Here, we show that NLI/Ldb1 and erythroid-binding partners GATA-1/SCL/LMO2 bind in vivo to the beta-globin locus control region (LCR). The C-terminal LIM interaction domain of NLI is required for formation of the complex on chromatin. Loss of the LIM domain converts NLI into a dominant-negative inhibitor of globin gene expression, and knockdown of NLI by using shRNA results in failure to activate beta-globin expression. Kinetic studies reveal that the NLI/GATA-1/SCL/LMO2 complex is detected at the beta-globin promoter coincident with RNA Pol II recruitment, beta-globin transcription, and chromatin loop formation during erythroid differentiation, providing evidence that NLI facilitates long-range gene activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Erythroid Cells / metabolism
  • GATA1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • GATA1 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Globins / genetics*
  • Globins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Kinetics
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • Locus Control Region*
  • Metalloproteins / genetics
  • Metalloproteins / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • T-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Protein 1
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Chromatin
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • GATA1 Transcription Factor
  • GATA1 protein, human
  • LDB1 protein, human
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • LMO2 protein, human
  • Metalloproteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • T-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Protein 1
  • Transcription Factors
  • TAL1 protein, human
  • Globins
  • RNA Polymerase II