Epigenetic analysis reveals distinct 5' and 3' chromatin opening dynamics in developing human T cells, highlighting regulatory locus accessibility prior to active CD2 transcription.
Key Points
To determine the chromatin configuration and methylation status controlling tissue-specific expression of the human CD2 gene during T-cell lineage commitment.
Assessed DNase I hypersensitivity at the 5' promoter and downstream 3' regulatory regions of the human CD2 gene locus across developmental stages.
Analyzed DNA methylation patterns at Hha I and Hpa II endonuclease cleavage sites in CD2-expressing T cells compared to non-T-cell lineages.
DNase I-hypersensitive sites were identified within the 5' promoter and a downstream 3' region, with 5' hypersensitivity correlating strictly with active gene transcription.
Chromatin at the 3' regulatory element opened prior to lineage commitment and during early T-cell development before CD2 transcription initiated.
Hha I and Hpa II sites surrounding the 5' and 3' regions were undermethylated in CD2-expressing T cells but extensively methylated in other cell types.