Article Abstract:
A study conducted on the Ets-1 proto-oncogene, a member of the Ets family of eukaryotic transcription factors, shows the necessity of Ets-1 for the normal survival and activation of murine T cells. Mutant mice containing a null mutation in the proto-oncogene Ets-1 and RAG-2 deficient blastocysts show less number of matured T cells than those shown by the wild type mice. This reduction of T cells arises because of an increase in cell death. The T cells show a defect in their ability to proliferate when stimulated by concanavalin A. The mutant mice also contain many Cd4+/CD8+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells.
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Article Abstract:
The activation of T cells results in the phosphorylation and activation of the basic/leucine zipper transcription factor, CREB, which is necessary for the production of interleukin-2 and cell-cycle progression. There is a defect in thymocytes and cell proliferation in the T cells of transgenic mice that express a negative form of CREB. The phosphorylation of a protein on the serine residue at position 119 of CREB is necessary for the activation of CREB.
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Article Abstract:
The proto-oncogene Ets-1 is necessary for the survival and differentiation of T and B lymphocytes in the body. Embryonic stem (ES) cells containing mutant inactive Ets-1 genes form T cells which show DNA fragmentation and causes a high rate of cell death. The ES cells form a normal amount of B cells but many of the B cells preferentially differentiate into IgM plasma cells.
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