Human Hand1 basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein: extra-embryonic expression pattern, interaction partners and identification of its transcriptional repressor domains

2002 ◽  
Vol 361 (3) ◽  
pp. 641-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin KNÖFLER ◽  
Gudrun MEINHARDT ◽  
Sandra BAUER ◽  
Thomas LOREGGER ◽  
Richard VASICEK ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Transcriptional Repressor ◽  
Bhlh Protein ◽  
Bhlh Transcription Factor ◽  
Basic Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Class A ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Bhlh Factors ◽  
E Boxes

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, Hand1, plays an important role in the development of the murine extra-embryonic trophoblast cell lineage. In the present study, we have analysed the expression of Hand1 in human extra-embryonic cell types and determined its binding specificity and transcriptional activity upon interaction with different class A bHLH factors. Northern blotting and in situ hybridization showed that Hand1 mRNA is specifically expressed in amnion cells at different stages of gestation. Accordingly, we demonstrate that the protein is exclusively produced in the amniotic epithelium in vivo and in purified amnion cells in vitro using a novel polyclonal Hand1 antiserum. Reverse transcriptase-PCR and immunohistochemical staining of blastocysts revealed the production of Hand1 mRNA and polypeptide in the trophectodermal cell layer. In the presence of E12/E47, Hand1 stimulated the transcription of luciferase reporters harbouring degenerate E-boxes, suggesting that E-proteins are potential dimerization partners in trophoblastic tumour and amnion cells. In contrast, Hand1 diminished E12/E47-dependent transcription of reporters containing perfect E-boxes by inhibiting the interaction of Hand1/E-protein heterodimers with the palindromic cognate sequence. Furthermore, we show that Hand1 down-regulated GAL—E12-dependent reporter expression, indicating that the protein can also act directly as a transcriptional repressor. Mutational analyses of GAL-Hand1 suggested that two protein regions located within its N-terminal portion mainly confer the repressing activity. In conclusion, human Hand1 may play an important role in the differentiation of the amniotic membrane and the pre-implanting trophoblast. Furthermore, the data suggest that Hand1 can act as a repressor by two independent mechanisms; sequestration of class A bHLH factors from E-boxes and inhibition of their transcriptional activity.

scholarly journals Identification of a new family of tissue-specific basic helix-loop-helix proteins with a two-hybrid system.

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 3813-3822 ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Hollenberg ◽  
R Sternglanz ◽  
P F Cheng ◽  
H Weintraub
Keyword(s):  
Bhlh Protein ◽  
Pharyngeal Arches ◽  
Tissue Specific ◽  
Basic Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
New Family ◽  
Specific Distribution ◽  
Nih 3T3 ◽  
Two Hybrid

With modified two-hybrid technology, we have isolated a member of a new family of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. Thing1 (Th1) was identified in a screen of a mouse embryo cDNA library as a partner for the Drosophila E protein daughterless. RNA in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase-PCR demonstrate a stage- and tissue-specific distribution for the expression of Th1. Although tissue specific, the expression pattern of Th1 is fairly complex. During development, Th1 mRNA is widely expressed in extraembryonic tissues, portions of the heart, autonomic ganglia, the gut, and pharyngeal arches. At embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5), extraembryonic derivatives show robust Th1 expression. By E8.5, expression in the embryonic heart becomes detectable. During the next 2 days of development, the signal also includes gut and pharyngeal arches. Predominant expression at E13.5 is in neural crest derivatives, especially the autonomic nervous system and adrenal medulla. Expression of Th1 persists in the adult, in which it is localized to the smooth muscle cells of the gut. In vitro, Th1 protein recognizes a set of DNA sites that are more degenerate than has been determined for other bHLH factors, indicating a reduced binding specificity. Transient transfection of NIH 3T3 cells with GAL4-Th1 fusions reveals a repression activity mediated by the Th1 bHLH domain. In combination, these properties define Th1 as a new bHLH protein with a unique set of properties.

scholarly journals PTF1 Is an Organ-Specific and Notch-Independent Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Complex Containing the Mammalian Suppressor of Hairless (RBP-J) or Its Paralogue, RBP-L

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Beres ◽  
Toshihiko Masui ◽  
Galvin H. Swift ◽  
Ling Shi ◽  
R. Michael Henke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Bhlh Protein ◽  
Peptide Motifs ◽  
Basic Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Class A ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Notch Intracellular Domain ◽  
Suppressor Of Hairless ◽  
Organ Specific ◽  
Human Genetic Disorder

ABSTRACT PTF1 is a trimeric transcription factor essential to the development of the pancreas and to the maintenance of the differentiated state of the adult exocrine pancreas. It comprises a dimer of P48/PTF1a (a pancreas and neural restricted basic helix-loop-helix [bHLH] protein) and a class A bHLH protein, together with a third protein that we show can be either the mammalian Suppressor of Hairless (RBP-J) or its paralogue, RBP-L. In mature acinar cells, PTF1 exclusively contains the RBP-L isoform and is bound to the promoters of acinar specific genes. P48 interacts with the RBP subunit primarily through two short conserved tryptophan-containing motifs, similar to the motif of the Notch intracellular domain (NotchIC) that interacts with RBP-J. The transcriptional activities of the J and L forms of PTF1 are independent of Notch signaling, because P48 occupies the NotchIC docking site on RBP-J and RBP-L does not bind the NotchIC. Mutations that delete one or both of the RBP-interacting motifs of P48 eliminate RBP-binding and are associated with a human genetic disorder characterized by pancreatic and cerebellar agenesis, which indicates that the association of P48 and RBPs is required for proper embryonic development. The presence of related peptide motifs in other transcription factors indicates a broader Notch-independent function for RBPJ/SU(H).

scholarly journals The Drosophila Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Protein DIMMED Directly Activates PHM, a Gene Encoding a Neuropeptide-Amidating Enzyme

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 410-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongkook Park ◽  
Orie T. Shafer ◽  
Stacie P. Shepherd ◽  
Hyunsuk Suh ◽  
Jennifer S. Trigg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Regulatory Region ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Bhlh Protein ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Basic Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
E Boxes

ABSTRACT The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein DIMMED (DIMM) supports the differentiation of secretory properties in numerous peptidergic cells of Drosophila melanogaster. DIMM is coexpressed with diverse amidated neuropeptides and with the amidating enzyme peptidylglycine α-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) in approximately 300 cells of the late embryo. Here we confirm that DIMM has transcription factor activity in transfected HEK 293 cells and that the PHM gene is a direct target. The mammalian DIMM orthologue MIST1 also transactivated the PHM gene. DIMM activity was dependent on the basic region of the protein and on the sequences of three E-box sites within PHM's first intron; the sites make different contributions to the total activity. These data suggest a model whereby the three E boxes interact cooperatively and independently to produce high PHM transcriptional activation. This DIMM-controlled PHM regulatory region displayed similar properties in vivo. Spatially, its expression mirrored that of the DIMM protein, and its activity was largely dependent on dimm. Further, in vivo expression was highly dependent on the sequences of the same three E boxes. This study supports the hypothesis that DIMM is a master regulator of a peptidergic cell fate in Drosophila and provides a detailed transcriptional mechanism of DIMM action on a defined target gene.

scholarly journals Multiple Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins Regulate Expression of the ENO1 Gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 786-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Chen ◽  
John M. Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Bhlh Protein ◽  
Dominant Negative Mutant ◽  
Eukaryotic Transcription ◽  
Control Of Gene Expression ◽  
Basic Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
E Boxes ◽  
Bhlh Proteins

ABSTRACT The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) eukaryotic transcription factors have the ability to form multiple dimer combinations. This property, together with limited DNA-binding specificity for the E box (CANNTG), makes them ideally suited for combinatorial control of gene expression. We tested the ability of all nine Saccharomyces cerevisiae bHLH proteins to regulate the enolase-encoding gene ENO1. ENO1 was known to be activated by the bHLH protein Sgc1p. Here we show that expression of an ENO1-lacZ reporter was also regulated by the other eight bHLH proteins, namely, Ino2p, Ino4p, Cbf1p, Rtg1p, Rtg3p, Pho4p, Hms1p, and Ygr290wp. ENO1-lacZ expression was also repressed by growth in inositol-choline-containing medium. Epistatic analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments showed that regulation by Sgc1p, Ino2p, Ino4p, and Cbf1p and repression by inositol-choline required three distal E boxes, E1, E2, and E3. The pattern of bHLH binding to the three E boxes and experiments with two dominant-negative mutant alleles of INO4 and INO2 support the model that bHLH dimer selection affects ENO1-lacZ expression. These results support the general model that bHLH proteins can coordinate different biological pathways via multiple mechanisms.

scholarly journals Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor Heterocomplex of Yas1p and Yas2p Regulates Cytochrome P450 Expression in Response to Alkanes in the Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 734-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Setsu Endoh-Yamagami ◽  
Kiyoshi Hirakawa ◽  
Daisuke Morioka ◽  
Ryouichi Fukuda ◽  
Akinori Ohta
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome P450 ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Yarrowia Lipolytica ◽  
Bhlh Protein ◽  
Genome Database ◽  
Basic Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Bhlh Transcription Factors

ABSTRACT The expression of the ALK1 gene, which encodes cytochrome P450, catalyzing the first step of alkane oxidation in the alkane-assimilating yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, is highly regulated and can be induced by alkanes. Previously, we identified a cis-acting element (alkane-responsive element 1 [ARE1]) in the ALK1 promoter. We showed that a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein, Yas1p, binds to ARE1 in vivo and mediates alkane-dependent transcription induction. Yas1p, however, does not bind to ARE1 by itself in vitro, suggesting that Yas1p requires another bHLH protein partner for its DNA binding, as many bHLH transcription factors function by forming heterodimers. To identify such a binding partner of Yas1p, here we screened open reading frames encoding proteins with the bHLH motif from the Y. lipolytica genome database and identified the YAS2 gene. The deletion of the YAS2 gene abolished the alkane-responsive induction of ALK1 transcription and the growth of the yeast on alkanes. We revealed that Yas2p has transactivation activity. Furthermore, Yas1p and Yas2p formed a protein complex that was required for the binding of these proteins to ARE1. These findings allow us to postulate a model in which bHLH transcription factors Yas1p and Yas2p form a heterocomplex and mediate the transcription induction in response to alkanes.

scholarly journals Orphan Nuclear Receptor Small Heterodimer Partner, a Novel Corepressor for a Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor BETA2/NeuroD

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 776-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joon-Young Kim ◽  
Khoi Chu ◽  
Han-Jong Kim ◽  
Hyun-A Seong ◽  
Ki-Cheol Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Nuclear Receptor ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Orphan Nuclear Receptor ◽  
Small Heterodimer Partner ◽  
Basic Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
E Box ◽  
Coactivator P300

Abstract Small heterodimer partner (SHP; NR0B2) is an atypical orphan nuclear receptor that lacks a conventional DNA binding domain (DBD) and represses the transcriptional activity of various nuclear receptors. In this study, we examined the novel cross talk between SHP and BETA2/NeuroD, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor. In vitro and in vivo protein interaction studies showed that SHP physically interacts with BETA2/NeuroD, but not its heterodimer partner E47. Moreover, confocal microscopic study and immunostaining results demonstrated that SHP colocalized with BETA2 in islets of mouse pancreas. SHP inhibited BETA2/NeuroD-dependent transactivation of an E-box reporter, whereas SHP was unable to repress the E47-mediated transactivation and the E-box mutant reporter activity. In addition, SHP repressed the BETA2-dependent activity of glucokinase and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 gene promoters. Gel shift and in vitro protein competition assays indicated that SHP inhibits neither dimerization nor DNA binding of BETA2 and E47. Rather, SHP directly repressed BETA2 transcriptional activity and p300-enhanced BETA2/NeuroD transcriptional activity by inhibiting interaction between BETA2 and coactivator p300. We also showed that C-terminal repression domain within SHP is also required for BETA2 repression. However, inhibition of BETA2 activity was not observed by naturally occurring human SHP mutants that cannot interact with BETA2/NeuroD. Taken together, these results suggest that SHP acts as a novel corepressor for basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor BETA2/NeuroD by competing with coactivator p300 for binding to BETA2/NeuroD and by its direct transcriptional repression function.

scholarly journals BETA3, a novel helix-loop-helix protein, can act as a negative regulator of BETA2 and MyoD-responsive genes.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 626-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Peyton ◽  
C M Stellrecht ◽  
F J Naya ◽  
H P Huang ◽  
P J Samora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Bhlh Transcription Factor ◽  
Pcr Cloning ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Class A ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
E Box ◽  
Class B ◽  
Bhlh Factors

Using degenerate PCR cloning we have identified a novel basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, BETA3, from a hamster insulin tumor (HIT) cell cDNA library. Sequence analysis revealed that this factor belongs to the class B bHLH family and has the highest degree of homology with another bHLH transcription factor recently isolated in our laboratory, BETA2 (neuroD) (J. E. Lee, S. M. Hollenberg, L. Snider, D. L. Turner, N. Lipnick, and H. Weintraub, Science 268:836-844, 1995; F. J. Naya, C. M. M. Stellrecht, and M.-J. Tsai, Genes Dev. 8:1009-1019, 1995). BETA2 is a brain- and pancreatic-islet-specific bHLH transcription factor and is largely responsible for the tissue-specific expression of the insulin gene. BETA3 was found to be tissue restricted, with the highest levels of expression in HIT, lung, kidney, and brain cells. Surprisingly, despite the homology between BETA2 and BETA3 and its intact basic region, BETA3 is unable to bind the insulin E box in bandshift analysis as a homodimer or as a heterodimer with the class A bHLH factors E12, E47, or BETA1. Instead, BETA3 inhibited both the E47 homodimer and the E47/BETA2 heterodimer binding to the insulin E box. In addition, BETA3 greatly repressed the BETA2/E47 induction of the insulin enhancer in HIT cells as well as the MyoD/E47 induction of a muscle-specific E box in the myoblast cell line C2C12. In contrast, expression of BETA3 had no significant effect on the GAL4-VP16 transcriptional activity. Immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrates that the mechanism of repression is via direct protein-protein interaction, presumably by heterodimerization between BETA3 and class A bHLH factors.

scholarly journals The basic domain of myogenic basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins is the novel target for direct inhibition by another bHLH protein, Twist.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 6563-6573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Hamamori ◽  
H Y Wu ◽  
V Sartorelli ◽  
L Kedes
Keyword(s):  
Bhlh Protein ◽  
E Proteins ◽  
Basic Domain ◽  
Basic Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
E Protein ◽  
Arginine Residues ◽  
Bhlh Proteins

In vertebrates, the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein Twist may be involved in the negative regulation of cellular determination and in the differentiation of several lineages, including myogenesis, osteogenesis, and neurogenesis. Although it has been shown that mouse twist (M-Twist) (i) sequesters E proteins, thus preventing formation of myogenic E protein-MyoD complexes and (ii) inhibits the MEF2 transcription factor, a cofactor of myogenic bHLH proteins, overexpression of E proteins and MEF2 failed to rescue the inhibitory effects of M-Twist on MyoD. We report here that M-Twist physically interacts with the myogenic bHLH proteins in vitro and in vivo and that this interaction is required for the inhibition of MyoD by M-Twist. In contrast to the conventional HLH-HLH domain interaction formed in the MyoD/E12 heterodimer, this novel type of interaction uses the basic domains of the two proteins. While the MyoD HLH domain without the basic domain failed to interact with M-Twist, a MyoD peptide containing only the basic and helix 1 regions was sufficient to interact with M-Twist, suggesting that the basic domain contacts M-Twist. The replacement of three arginine residues by alanines in the M-Twist basic domain was sufficient to abolish both the binding and inhibition of MyoD by M-Twist, while the domain retained other M-Twist functions such as heterodimerization with an E protein and inhibition of MEF2 transactivation. These findings demonstrate that M-Twist interacts with MyoD through the basic domains, thereby inhibiting MyoD.

scholarly journals The PAX6 gene is activated by the basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor NeuroD/BETA2

2003 ◽  
Vol 376 (3) ◽  
pp. 707-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonora MARSICH ◽  
Amedeo VETERE ◽  
Matteo DI PIAZZA ◽  
Gianluca TELL ◽  
Sergio PAOLETTI
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Pax6 Gene ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Basic Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Dna Binding Sites ◽  
E Boxes ◽  
Nih 3T3 ◽  
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays

PAX6 is a transcription factor that plays an important role during pancreatic morphogenesis. The aim of the present study is to identify the upstream activator(s) of the PAX6 gene possibly involved in the early stages of pancreatic differentiation. Recently, individual elements regulating PAX6 gene activity in the pancreas have been identified in a 1100 bp Spe/HincII fragment 4.6 kb upstream of exon 0. Preliminary sequence analysis of this region revealed some potential DNA-binding sites (E boxes) specific for the binding of basic helix–loop–helix transcription factors. By using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we demonstrated that both nuclear protein extracts from insulin-secreting RINm5F cells and in vitro-translated NeuroD/BETA2 can bind specifically to these E boxes. Furthermore, by transient transfection experiments we demonstrated that the expression of basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor NeuroD/BETA2 can induce activation of the PAX6 promoter in the NIH-3T3 cell line. Thus we show that NeuroD/BETA2 is involved in the activation of the expression of PAX6 through E boxes in the PAX6 promoter localized in a 1.1 kb sequence within the 4.6 kb untranslated region upstream of exon 0.

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