Abstract: Series 106, Lecture 3
The Harvey Lectures Series 106 (2010—2011)
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Lecture #3: Thursday, January 20, 2011 — Time and Location
Epigenetic Regulation of Lymphocyte Development and Lymphomagenesis
Katia Georgopoulos, PhD
Professor
Cutaneous Biology Research Center
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts
Development is supported by cell type-specific changes in gene expression that promote progression through immature progenitor states or cell elimination. Transcriptional regulation takes place through a chromatin environment that guides or permits changes in gene expression during development. The zinc finger DNA binding factor Ikaros, one of the fundamental regulators of lymphocyte development, controls the outcome of stage-specific transcriptional programs from the earliest steps of this pathway. Ikaros works by harnessing the activity of epigenetic regulators such as the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler Mi-2beta and downstream transcriptional regulators to provide appropriate transcriptional output. Manipulation of Ikaros’ activity has revealed its effects on the transcriptional networks that control lymphocyte development and its role in shaping the epigenome and the mechanisms by which abnormal Ikaros activity causes leukemia.