Pioneer factors in T cells

Hematopoietic progenitors seed the thymus to initiate the T cell differentiation program. This pathway is orchestrated by a cadre of transcription factors deploying a T cell-restricted gene expression program initially buried within inaccessible chromatin. Despite the breath of knowledge on essential transcription factors in T cell development, the proteins responsible for the de novo gain of chromatin accessibility, also known as ‘pioneer’ factors, remain unknown. Here, we report the critical role of a T cell specific transcription factor in creating de novo chromatin accessibility.

Source: Experimental Hematology - August 22, 2017 Category: Hematology Authors: Golnaz Vahedi Source Type: research