Transcriptional control of the invariant chain gene involves promoter and enhancer elements common to and distinct from major histocompatibility complex class 2 genes

The invariant chain (I{sub i}) is a glycoprotein coexpressed with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens. Although I{sub i} is encoded by a single gene unlinked to the MHC gene complex, I{sub i} and MHC class II appear to have similar patterns of tissue specific expression and generally are coordinately regulated by cytokines. The authors present evidence that transcription of the murine I{sub i} gene is controlled by multiple cis-acting elements. The 5{prime} regulatory region of the I{sub i} gene appears to be combined of conserved class II regulatory elements with promoter elements (H Box, X box, and modified Y box) serves as an upstream enhancer in the I{sub i} gene and might contribute to the coexpression of MHC class II and I{sub i} genes.