The role of c-Myb or a related factor in regulating the T cell receptor gamma gene enhancer.

An enhancer has been localized 3 kb downstream of the C gamma 1 gene segment of the murine TCR-gamma locus. One element, the gamma 3 site, has been shown to be critical for its functional activity. Here we have determined that Myb-related transcription factors bind to the gamma 3 site and appear to be critical for the full activity of the TCR-gamma enhancer. c-myb products can transactivate the gamma 3 site in cell lines that do not ordinarily support enhancer activity of the gamma 3 site. Mutations in the myb site or an adjacent site for core-binding factor(s) prevent transactivation. c-myb expression in various cell lines is consistent with their capacity to activate the gamma 3 enhancer element using transient transfection assays. Therefore, c-Myb or a related factor appears to play an important role in regulating the murine TCR-gamma enhancer.