Chromatin Protein PC4 Orchestrates B Cell Differentiation by Collaborating with IKAROS and IRF4 (ChIP-seq)

B cell development is orchestrated by various transcription factors collaborating with chromatin remodelers that determine the genomic architecture. However, chromatin regulation in mature B cells is still poorly understood. Here, we show the critical function of positive coactivator 4 (PC4), a bona fide non-histone chromatin protein encoded by Sub1. B-cell specific Sub1-deficient mice showed the decreased number and response against antigen stimulation of mature B cells. By combining PC4 chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing and complex purification, we identified transcription factor IKAROS as a partner of PC4 in gene regulation. PC4 and IKAROS cooperated to promote heterochromatin formation of their target gene loci and thereby established B cell identity. Importantly, PC4 stabilized IKAROS protein in mature B cells and inhibited IKAROS degradation by the anti-cancer drug lenalidomide in human B-cell lymphoma cells. These findings establish PC4 as not only a chromatin regulator of B cells but also a new therapeutic target in B-cell malignancies. Function and regulation of PC4 in B cells