34th Annual Student Research Conference
Expression of RNA Polymerase II Subunits During T-helper Cell Differentiation
Brooke L. Diehl
Dr. Brent Buckner and Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner, Faculty Mentors
T-helper cell activation and subsequent cytokine exposure induces naïve T cells to proliferate and differentiate into unique T-helper cell subsets that promote different immune responses. RNA Polymerase II is composed of twelve distinct protein subunits that catalyzes the transcription of mRNA and several types of noncoding RNAs. In this study the expression of the RNA Pol II subunit genes was analyzed during the T cell activation across T-helper cell subsets, TH1, TH2, TH17, and iTreg cells. All RNA Polymerase II subunit genes, except Polr2a, had differential expression in the T cell activation or among T cell subsets. The largest differential expression was at 8 hours or 24 hours after activation which occur during the transition from G0 to G1 and the entrance to S phase, respectively. Thus, our data suggest that RNA Pol II activity must be increased to meet the needs of T cell differentiation.
Keywords: RNA Polymerase II, T-helper Cell, Differentiation, Expression, Proliferation
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Face-to-Face Oral Presentation
Session: 102-2
Location: SUB Activities Room
Time: 8:45