The general transcription factor TAF7 is essential for embryonic development but not essential for the survival or differentiation of mature T cells

Anne Gegonne, Xuguang Tai, Jinghui Zhang, Gang Wu, Jianjian Zhu, Aki Yoshimoto, Jeffrey Hanson, Constance Cultraro, Qing Rong Chen, Terry Guinter, Zhihui Yang, Karen Hathcock, Alfred Singer, Jaime Rodriguez-Canales, Lino Tessarollo, Susan Mackem, Daoud Meerzaman, Ken Buetow, Dinah S. Singer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

TAF7, a component of the TFIID complex that nucleates the assembly of transcription preinitiation complexes, also independently interacts with and regulates the enzymatic activities of other transcription factors, including P-TEFb, TFIIH, and CIITA, ensuring an orderly progression in transcription initiation. Since not all TAFs are required in terminally differentiated cells, we examined the essentiality of TAF7 in cells at different developmental stages in vivo. Germ line disruption of the TAF7 gene is embryonic lethal between 3.5 and 5.5 days postcoitus. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts with TAF7 deleted cease transcription globally and stop proliferating. In contrast, whereas TAF7 is essential for the differentiation and proliferation of immature thymocytes, it is not required for subsequent, proliferation-independent differentiation of lineage committed thymocytes or for their egress into the periphery. TAF7 deletion in peripheral CD4 T cells affects only a small number of transcripts. However, T cells with TAF7 deleted are not able to undergo activation and expansion in response to antigenic stimuli. These findings suggest that TAF7 is essential for proliferation but not for proliferation-independent differentiation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1984-1997
Number of pages14
JournalMolecular and cellular biology
Volume32
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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