Loss of MHC I transcription trans-activator in the bovine B-LCL, BL3.1

BL3.1, a variant derived from the BLV infected bovine B cell line, BL3, is distinguished by a loss of expression of MHC class I. All surface MHC I products were down-regulated in BL3.1 compared with BL3 correlating with a diminution in MHC I heavy chain transcription. Class I genes, including regulatory elements, showed no aberrations. The variant, BL3.1, did not differ from the parent cell line in expression of Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) or oncogene, c-myc. Transient transfection experiments determined the defect was trans rather than cis, and was due to loss of a trans-activator rather than gain of a trans-suppressor as evidenced by transient heterokaryon fusions. Southwestern blot analysis indicated that two DNA binding proteins associated with the MHC class I promoter were missing in BL3.1 cells. The specific response elements for these proteins in BL3 did not appear to be within the enhancerA region, the major enhancer region of the MHC I promoter.