Duality of Enhancer Functioning Mode Revealed in a Reduced TCRβ Gene Enhancer Knockin Mouse Model

Abstract

The TCRβ gene enhancer (Eβ) commands TCRβ gene expression through the lifespan of T lymphocytes. Genetic and molecular studies have implied that in early thymocytes, Eβ directs chromatin opening over the Dβ-Jβ-Cβ domains and triggers initial Dβ-Jβ recombination. In mature T cells, Eβ is required for expression of the assembled TCRβ gene. Whether these separate activities rely on distinct Eβ regulatory sequences and involve differing modes of activation is unclear. Using gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem cells, we replaced Eβ by a conserved core fragment (Eβ169). We found that Eβ169-carrying alleles were capable of sustaining β gene expression and the development of mature T cells in homozygous knockin mice. Surprisingly, these procedures and underlying molecular transactions were affected to a wide range of degrees depending on the developmental stage. Early thymocytes barely achieved Dβ-Jβ germline transcription and recombination. In contrast, T cells displayed substantial though heterogeneous levels of VDJ-rearranged TCRβ gene expression. Our results have implications regarding enhancer function in cells of the adaptive immune system and, potentially, TCRβ gene recombination and allelic exclusion.