The Role of S7, A Subunit of the 19S Proteasome, in the Transcriptional Regulation of MHC II

Induction of an adaptive, or antigen specific, immune response is critical for eliminating most infections. Pathogen clearance is accomplished primarily, by the actions of CD4+ T cells through their ability to recognize foreign antigens presented at the cell surface by major histocompatibility class II (MHC II) molecules. Consequently, the capacity to regulate expression of MHC molecules is essential to control the adaptive immune response. MHC molecules are regulated at the level of transcription by a master regulator, the class II transcriptional activator, CIITA. Thus, the expression of MHC II is directly related to proper CIITA activity. This thesis focuses on the novel role of S7, an ATPase subunit of the 19S proteasome, in the transcriptional regulation of CIITA and MHC II molecules. INDEX WORDS: MHC II, S7, proteasome, CIITA, adaptive immunity THE ROLE OF S7, A SUBUNIT OF THE 19S PROTEASOME, IN THE TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION OF MHC II GENES by DAWSON GERHARDT A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the College of Arts and Sciences Georgia State University