Elizabeth J. Taparowsky, Ph.D.: Multiple Roles for BATF-Mediated Regulation of AP-1 Transcription in the Immune System

The AP-1 (activator protein-1) transcription factor complex controls cellular fate decisions critical to the development of all mammalian organisms. Since the core components of AP-1, the FOS and JUN proteins, are expressed ubiquitously by all cells, it is the participation of tissue-restricted proteins in the complex that allows AP-1 function to be tailored to a specialized cell type or to a specialized cellular response. Dr. Taparowsky’s laboratory studies BATF, the founding member of a small group of basic leucine zipper transcription factors expressed exclusively in the immune system.

BATFs dimerize preferentially with the JUN proteins, generating complexes unique to HSC (hematopoietic stem cells)- derived lineages. Using murine models, her laboratory has examined how BATF functions to control the development and function of B and T lymphocytes. Their work has led to a better understanding of how BATF contributes to both the positive and negative regulation of AP-1 target genes and, by doing so, controls the differentiation of T helper subsets and the lymphocyte communication network required to generate a normal antibody response.