ABSTRACT
The zinc finger motif was used as a vehicle for the initial discovery of Ikaros in the context of T-cell differentiation and has been central to all subsequent analyses of Ikaros function. The Ikaros gene is alternately spliced to produce several isoforms that confer diversity of function and consequently have complicated analysis of the function of Ikaros in vivo. Key features of Ikaros in vivo function are associated with six C2H2 zinc fingers; four of which are alternately incorporated in the production of the various Ikaros isoforms. Although no complete structures are available for the Ikaros protein or any of its family members, considerable evidence has accumulated about the structure of zinc fingers and the role that this structure plays in the functions of the Ikaros family of proteins. This review summarizes the structural aspects of Ikaros zinc fingers, individually, and in tandem to provide a structural context for Ikaros function and to provide a structural basis to inform the design of future experiments with Ikaros and its family members.
ABSTRACT
The Ikaros gene is alternately spliced to generate multiple DNA-binding and nonbinding isoforms that have been implicated as regulators of hematopoiesis, particularly in the lymphoid lineages. Although early reports of Ikaros mutant mice focused on lymphoid defects, these mice also show significant myeloid, erythroid, and stem cell defects. However, the specific Ikaros proteins expressed in these cells have not been determined. We recently described Ikaros-x (Ikx), a new Ikaros isoform that is the predominant Ikaros protein in normal human hematopoietic cells. In this study, we report that the Ikx protein is selectively expressed in human myeloid lineage cells, while Ik1 predominates in the lymphoid and erythroid lineages. Both Ik1 and Ikx proteins are expressed in early human hematopoietic cells (Lin(-)CD34(+)). Under culture conditions that promote specific lineage differentiation, Ikx is up-regulated during myeloid differentiation but down-regulated during lymphoid differentiation from human Lin(-)CD34(+) cells. We show that Ikx and other novel Ikaros splice variants identified in human studies are also expressed in murine bone marrow. In mice, as in humans, the Ikx protein is selectively expressed in the myeloid lineage. Our studies suggest that Ikaros proteins function in myeloid, as well as lymphoid, differentiation and that specific Ikaros isoforms may play a role in regulating lineage commitment decisions in mice and humans.
Subject(s)
Myeloid Cells/metabolism , Transcription Factors/biosynthesis , Animals , Bone Marrow Cells/cytology , Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism , Cell Differentiation/genetics , Cell Line , Cell Lineage/genetics , Cells, Cultured , DNA-Binding Proteins/biosynthesis , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Hematopoietic Stem Cells/cytology , Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism , Humans , Ikaros Transcription Factor , Lymphocytes/cytology , Lymphocytes/metabolism , Lymphoid Tissue/cytology , Lymphoid Tissue/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Myeloid Cells/cytology , Protein Isoforms/biosynthesis , Protein Isoforms/genetics , Protein Isoforms/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Transcription, GeneticABSTRACT
The theoretical linear solvation energy relationship (TLSER) has been used to correlate and characterize 44 nasal pungency threshold (NPT) values in man with parameters derived from semi-empirical molecular orbital theory. The resulting relationship provides good correlative (R2 > 0.92) and predictive (R2cy > 0.88) capability. In addition, the TLSER parameters are used as a molecular probe to attempt to understand the fundamental properties influencing nasal pungency.
