OcaB is required for normal transcription and V(D)J recombination of a subset of immunoglobulin kappa genes
Authors: Mila Jankovic
Yan Luo
Rafael Casellas
Michel Nussenzweig
Gesa Meyer
Robert Roeder
Anna Gazumyan
Journal: Cell (2002)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: OcaB; transcriptional coactivator; immunoglobulin genes; Bob-1; OBF-1
Affiliations: Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, New York, NY 10021, USA.

Abstract:  OcaB, a transcriptional coactivator also known as Bob-1 or OBF-1, was isolated on the basis of its ability to enhance transcription of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes in vitro. Paradoxically, OcaB(-/-) mice showed no apparent deficiency in Ig gene transcription, only cellular immune defects including absence of germinal centers (GC) and decreased numbers of immature B cells; the genes targeted by OcaB were not determined. Here we report that OcaB is essential for V(D)J recombination of a subset of Igkappa genes. We show that OcaB modulates recombination by directly enhancing Igkappa gene transcription in vivo. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
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 2020 expression of concern. https: journals.plos.org plosone article?id=10.1371 journal.pone.0229516 Concerns have been raised about Figs 2 and 3 of this article [1]. Specifically: In Fig 2B, there appears to be vertical discontinuity between lanes 1 and 2 in the u03b25i panel. In Fig 3A, similarities were noted between areas in lanes 8u201314 and lanes 15u201319 of the u03b11u20137 (IFNu03b2, 24h) blot, and between areas in lanes 9u201313 and areas in lanes 14u201317 of the u03b11u20137 (no IFN, 24h) blot. In Fig 3C, there appear to be vertical discontinuities between lanes in the u03b11u20137 (after lanes 1, 2, 5, 6), u03b25C (after lanes 1, 2, 3, 7), and u03b25iM (after lane 7) panels. For Figs 2B and 3C, the corresponding author noted that each figure panel in question was prepared using data obtained from the same blot and exposure, and that some lanes from the original blot were spliced out when preparing these figures. Incorrect image data were included in the IgG control (u201cctr IgGu201d) lanes of the u03b11u20137 and u03b25C panels in published Fig 3C. These issues have been addressed in the updated figures provided with this notice. Original blots supporting Figs 2B and 3C are provided in Supporting Information S1u2013S3 Files, with the exception of the image supporting lanes 1u20134 of the u03b25iM blot in Fig 3C which is no longer available. For Fig 3A, the corresponding author explained that the same blots were probed with anti-u03b25 or anti-u03b25i antibody, then stripped and reprobed with anti-u03b11u20137. u03b25 signal was still visible in lanes 14,15, and 17 after the blots were stripped and reprobed, and this residual signal was obscured in the published u03b11u20137 figure panels. In addition, the original figure did not include the matched u03b11u20137 data for the u03b25i experiment. These issues are addressed in the updated figure and the underlying blot images are in S2 File. In the updated figure, the residual u03b25 or u03b25i signal is indicated with asterisks. The author commented that they have not observed the u03b11u20137 antibodies to cross-react with u03b25 or u03b25i. The raw data underlying all other results reported in the article are available upon request from the corresponding author. Updated Figs 2 and 3 and their respective figure captions are provided here. A member of PLOS ONEu2019s Editorial Board advised that the updated figures support the results and conclusions reported in the original article. However, the PLOS ONE Editors issue this Expression of Concern due to concerns about how the above western blot data were reported in the original article. Reference 1.Freudenburg W, Gautam M, Chakraborty P, James J, Richards J, Salvatori AS, et al. (2013) Reduction in ATP Levels Triggers Immunoproteasome Activation by the 11S (PA28) Regulator during Early Antiviral Response Mediated by IFNu03b2 in Mouse Pancreatic u03b2-Cells. PLoS ONE 8(2): e52408. https: doi.org 10.1371 journal.pone.0052408 ,