Two Regulatory Elements for Immunoglobulin kappa Light Chain Gene Expression

By using internal deletions within a rearranged immunoglobulin kappa light chain gene, the presence of an intron regulatory sequence (enhancer) has been confirmed. Its presence is required for high-level transcription from a plasmid after transfection into myeloma cells. Transfection efficiency was monitored by the activity of a deleted H4 histone gene included in the plasmid. The intron element could be moved upstream of the gene in both orientations, fulfilling the definition of an enhancer. By using 5' deletions, a second regulatory element was located upstream of the "TATA" box, between positions -69 and -104. These two elements both are required for efficient kappa chain gene expression.