The transcriptional regulator Aire binds to and activates super-enhancers

Nat Immunol. 2017 Mar;18(3):263-273. doi: 10.1038/ni.3675. Epub 2017 Jan 30.

Abstract

Aire is a transcription factor that controls T cell tolerance by inducing the expression of a large repertoire of genes specifically in thymic stromal cells. It interacts with scores of protein partners of diverse functional classes. We found that Aire and some of its partners, notably those implicated in the DNA-damage response, preferentially localized to and activated long chromatin stretches that were overloaded with transcriptional regulators, known as super-enhancers. We also identified topoisomerase 1 as a cardinal Aire partner that colocalized on super-enhancers and was required for the interaction of Aire with all of its other associates. We propose a model that entails looping of super-enhancers to efficiently deliver Aire-containing complexes to local and distal transcriptional start sites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIRE Protein
  • Animals
  • Autoimmunity
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly*
  • DNA Damage / genetics
  • DNA Repair / genetics
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type I / genetics
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type I / metabolism*
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic / physiology*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Protein Binding
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Thymus Gland / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcriptional Activation*

Substances

  • Transcription Factors
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type I