PRDM1

PR domain zinc finger protein 1 also known as BLIMP-1 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the PRDM1 is_associated_with::gene. BLIMP-1 acts as a is_associated_with::repressor of beta-interferon (β-IFN) gene expression. The protein binds specifically to the PRDI (positive regulatory domain I element) of the β-IFN gene promoter. Transcription of this gene increases upon virus induction.

Function
The increased expression of the Blimp-1 protein in is_associated_with::B lymphocytes, is_associated_with::T lymphocytes, is_associated_with::NK cell and other immune system cells leads to an immune response through proliferation and differentiation of antibody secreting is_associated_with::plasma cells. Blimp-1 is also considered a 'master regulator' of is_associated_with::hematopoietic stem cells.

Blimp1 (also known as Prdm1), a known transcriptional is_associated_with::repressor, has a critical role in the foundation of the mouse is_associated_with::germ cell lineage, as its disruption causes a block early in the process of primordial germ cell formation. Blimp1-deficient mutant embryos form a tight cluster of about 20 primordial germ cell-like cells, which fail to show the characteristic migration, proliferation and consistent repression of is_associated_with::homeobox genes that normally accompany specification of primordial germ cells. The genetic lineage-tracing experiments indicate that the Blimp1-positive cells originating from the proximal posterior is_associated_with::epiblast cells are indeed the lineage-restricted primordial germ cell precursors.

Second cancers after radiation treatment
A is_associated_with::genome-wide association study has identified two genetic variations near the PRDM1 gene that predict an increased likelihood of developing a second cancer after radiation treatment for is_associated_with::Hodgkin lymphoma.