Regulation of the gene expression of MTR2

TR2 (TNFR-related 2 or HVEM) is a member of the TNFR family with homology to TNFRII. This receptor is expressed in T cell and may function in T cell proliferation. In the present study, 5´ flanking region of mTR2 (murine TR2) was examined. In agreement with TR2 expression in T cells, consensus elements for transcription factors involved in T-cell activation were identified in the 5´ flanking region, including an element IRF. We demonstrated that mutation on the IRF binding motif completely inhibited the expression of mTR2 and co-transfection of IRF-2 expression plasmid enhanced the TR2 promoter activity in EL-4 T cells. And the cotransfection with dominant negative mutant of IRF-2 results in the significant reduction of TR2 expression in EL-4 cell in dose dependant manner. The present study establishes a molecular basis to further understand the mechanisms governing murine TR2 gene expression.