An 11-base-pair DNA sequence motif apparently unique to the human interleukin 4 gene confers responsiveness to T-cell activation signals

Characterization of the human interleukin-4 gene (IL-4) has revealed a unique11-base pair cis-acting element that is responsible for gene responsiveness to T-cell activation signals. This segment, also termed the P sequence, is locatedin the 5' region upstream from the IL-4 gene and has been localized to be between positions -79 and -69 from the gene transcription start site. Studies show that a DNA binding protein, NF(P), recognizes the P sequence and induces gene transcription in response to T-cell signals.