Identification and characterization of the long noncoding RNA Dreg1 as a novel regulator of Gata3

Wing Fuk Chan, Hannah D. Coughlan, Nadia Iannarella, Gordon K. Smyth, Timothy M. Johanson, Christine R. Keenan, Rhys S. Allan

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7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The eukaryotic genome is three-dimensionally segregated into discrete globules of topologically associating domains (TADs), within which numerous cis-regulatory elements such as enhancers and promoters interact to regulate gene expression. In this study, we identify a T-cell-specific sub-TAD containing the Gata3 locus, and reveal a previously uncharacterized long noncoding RNA (Dreg1) within a distant enhancer lying approximately 280 kb downstream of Gata3. Dreg1 expression is highly correlated with that of Gata3 during early immune system development and T helper type 2 cell differentiation. Inhibition and overexpression of Dreg1 suggest that it may be involved in the establishment, but not in the maintenance of Gata3 expression. Overall, we propose that Dreg1 is a novel regulator of Gata3 and may inform therapeutic strategies in diseases such allergy and lymphoma, where Gata3 has a pathological role.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)323-332
Number of pages10
JournalImmunology and Cell Biology
Volume99
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Enhancer
  • Gata3
  • genome organization
  • long noncoding RNA
  • T cell
  • T2 cell

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