Lymphoid enhancer factor interacts with GATA-3 and controls its function in T helper type 2 cells

Immunology. 2008 Nov;125(3):377-86. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2008.02854.x. Epub 2008 Apr 26.

Abstract

GATA-3 is the master transcription factor for T helper 2 (Th2) cell differentiation and is critical for the expression of Th2 cytokines. Little is known, however, about the nature of the functional molecular complexes of GATA-3. We identified a high-mobility group (HMG)-box type transcription factor, lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF-1), in the GATA-3 complex present in Th2 cells using a Flag-calmodulin-binding peptide (CBP)-tag based proteomics method. The interaction between GATA-3 and LEF-1 was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation experiments using LEF-1-introduced T-cell lineage TG40 cells. The HMG-box domain of LEF-1 and two zinc finger domains of GATA-3 were found to be important for the physical association. The introduction of LEF-1 into developing Th2 cells resulted in the suppression of Th2 cytokine production. The suppression was significantly lower in the cells into which a HMG-box-deleted LEF-1 mutant was introduced. Moreover, LEF-1 inhibited the binding activity of GATA-3 to the interleukin (IL)-5 promoter. These results suggest that LEF-1 is involved in the GATA-3 complex, while also regulating the GATA-3 function, such as the induction of Th2 cytokine expression via the inhibition of the DNA-binding activity of GATA-3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor / immunology*
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • HMG-Box Domains / immunology
  • Humans
  • Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1 / immunology*
  • Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1 / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Zinc Fingers / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor
  • Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1