Functional analysis of the human complement receptor 2 (CR2/CD21) promoter: characterization of basal transcriptional mechanisms.

Human complement receptor (CR) type 2 (CR2/CD21) is a 145-kDa membrane protein encoded within the regulators of complement activation gene cluster localized on human chromosome 1q32. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate CR2 expression is important because CR2 is expressed during specific stages of B cell development, and several lines of evidence suggest a role for altered CR2 function or expression in a number of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, even modest changes in CR2 expression are likely to affect relative B cell responses. In this study we have delineated the transcriptional requirements of the human CR2 gene. We have studied the human CR2 proximal promoter and identified sites important for controlling the level of transcription in CR2-expressing cells. We have determined that four functionally relevant sites lie within very close proximity to the transcriptional initiation site. These sites bind the transcription factors USF1, an AP-2-like transcription factor, and Sp1.