REGULATION OF TRANSCRIPTION OF INTERLEUKI N-2 GENE IN B-LYMPHOCYTES

Since most B cell clones immortalized with EBV virus can be induced to produce interleukin-2, a typical T cell cytokine, we studied the role of different elements of the IL-2 promoter in such clones by transfec tion. It was found, in particular, that the element TCEd, which binds the transcription factor NF-kB, is very active in all three B clones t ested. This element has no activity in T cells of the Jurkat line. The NFATd element, which binds the transcription factor NFAT-1 and is ver y active in T cells, is only weakly active in one B clone and not at a ll in another. Different elements thus contribute to IL-2 promoter act ivity in different cells.