scholarly journals The Drosophila genes disconnected and disco-related together specify development of adult legs

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan B. Rosario ◽  
James W. Mahaffey
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Gene Network ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Leg Development ◽  
Body Patterning ◽  
Development Trajectory ◽  
Wing Discs

ABSTRACTIn the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, specification of the legs begins during embryogenesis when Wingless signaling induces small groups of cells to form the imaginal disc primordia in the thoracic segments. This signal initiates expression of transcription factors that will later be used to pattern the legs. The paralogous genes disconnected and disco-related encode transcription factors that are expressed in the disc primordia during early embryogenesis, and their expression continues in the leg discs during larval and pupal stages. The importance of these two genes in establishing the leg development trajectory was indicated by our previous observation that ectopic expression of either gene in the wing discs cells caused legs to develop in place of wings. However, because of their redundancy and requirement for survival during embryogenesis, we were unable to define their role in development of the adult legs. Here, we report loss-of-function analyses of the disco genes during development of the legs. We discovered that loss of both genes’ functions causes both truncation of the distal leg with apparent overgrowth of proximal regions and complete loss of legs and ventral thoracic body patterning. At the molecular level we noted reduction or loss of signaling and transcription factors that pattern the proximal-distal axis of the legs. We conclude from these studies that the disco genes promote leg development through regulation of signaling processes, but also by stabilizing expression of the leg determination gene network.

scholarly journals The Hox Gene egl-5 Acts as a Terminal Selector for VD13 Development via Wnt Signaling

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Meagan Kurland ◽  
Bryn O’Meara ◽  
Dana K. Tucker ◽  
Brian D. Ackley
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Cell Specification ◽  
Fluorescent Reporter ◽  
Hox Gene ◽  
Amino Butyric Acid ◽  
Number Of Cells

Nervous systems are comprised of diverse cell types that differ functionally and morphologically. During development, extrinsic signals, e.g., growth factors, can activate intrinsic programs, usually orchestrated by networks of transcription factors. Within that network, transcription factors that drive the specification of features specific to a limited number of cells are often referred to as terminal selectors. While we still have an incomplete view of how individual neurons within organisms become specified, reporters limited to a subset of neurons in a nervous system can facilitate the discovery of cell specification programs. We have identified a fluorescent reporter that labels VD13, the most posterior of the 19 inhibitory GABA (γ-amino butyric acid)-ergic motorneurons, and two additional neurons, LUAL and LUAR. Loss of function in multiple Wnt signaling genes resulted in an incompletely penetrant loss of the marker, selectively in VD13, but not the LUAs, even though other aspects of GABAergic specification in VD13 were normal. The posterior Hox gene, egl-5, was necessary for expression of our marker in VD13, and ectopic expression of egl-5 in more anterior GABAergic neurons induced expression of the marker. These results suggest egl-5 is a terminal selector of VD13, subsequent to GABAergic specification.

scholarly journals Morphogenesis at criticality

2014 ◽  
Vol 111 (10) ◽  
pp. 3683-3688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitry Krotov ◽  
Julien O. Dubuis ◽  
Thomas Gregor ◽  
William Bialek
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Gaussian Distribution ◽  
Gene Network ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Genetic Network ◽  
Strong Correlations ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Gap Gene ◽  
Gap Genes

Spatial patterns in the early fruit fly embryo emerge from a network of interactions among transcription factors, the gap genes, driven by maternal inputs. Such networks can exhibit many qualitatively different behaviors, separated by critical surfaces. At criticality, we should observe strong correlations in the fluctuations of different genes around their mean expression levels, a slowing of the dynamics along some but not all directions in the space of possible expression levels, correlations of expression fluctuations over long distances in the embryo, and departures from a Gaussian distribution of these fluctuations. Analysis of recent experiments on the gap gene network shows that all these signatures are observed, and that the different signatures are related in ways predicted by theory. Although there might be other explanations for these individual phenomena, the confluence of evidence suggests that this genetic network is tuned to criticality.

Embryonic and larval development of the Drosophila mushroom bodies: concentric layer subdivisions and the role of fasciclin II

Development ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuhiko Kurusu ◽  
Takeshi Awasaki ◽  
Liria M. Masuda-Nakagawa ◽  
Hiroshi Kawauchi ◽  
Kei Ito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Mushroom Bodies ◽  
Internal Layers ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Concentric Layer ◽  
Axonal Projections ◽  
Sequential Generation ◽  
Fas Ii

Mushroom bodies (MBs) are the centers for olfactory associative learning and elementary cognitive functions in the arthropod brain. In order to understand the cellular and genetic processes that control the early development of MBs, we have performed high-resolution neuroanatomical studies of the embryonic and post-embryonic development of the Drosophila MBs. In the mid to late embryonic stages, the pioneer MB tracts extend along Fasciclin II (FAS II)-expressing cells to form the primordia for the peduncle and the medial lobe. As development proceeds, the axonal projections of the larval MBs are organized in layers surrounding a characteristic core, which harbors bundles of actin filaments. Mosaic analyses reveal sequential generation of the MB layers, in which newly produced Kenyon cells project into the core to shift to more distal layers as they undergo further differentiation. Whereas the initial extension of the embryonic MB tracts is intact, loss-of-function mutations of fas II causes abnormal formation of the larval lobes. Mosaic studies demonstrate that FAS II is intrinsically required for the formation of the coherent organization of the internal MB fascicles. Furthermore, we show that ectopic expression of FAS II in the developing MBs results in severe lobe defects, in which internal layers also are disrupted. These results uncover unexpected internal complexity of the larval MBs and demonstrate unique aspects of neural generation and axonal sorting processes during the development of the complex brain centers in the fruit fly brain.

scholarly journals Long noncoding RNA FER1L4 promotes the malignant processes of papillary thyroid cancer by targeting the miR-612/ Cadherin 4 axis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luyao Wu ◽  
Yu Ding ◽  
Houchao Tong ◽  
Xi Zhuang ◽  
Jingsheng Cai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Papillary Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Papillary Thyroid ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Functional Roles

Abstract Background Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators in various cancers. However, the functional roles of most lncRNA in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are not detailly understood. This study aims to investigate the biological function and molecular mechanism of lncRNA Fer-1 like family member 4 (FER1L4) in PTC. Methods The expression of FER1L4 in PTC was determined via operating quantitative real-time PCR assays. Meanwhile, the clinical significance of FER1L4 in patients with PTC was described. The biological functions of FER1L4 on PTC cells were evaluated by gain and loss of function experiments. Moreover, animal experiments were performed to reveal the effect on tumor growth. Subcellular distribution of FER1L4 was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization and subcellular localization assays. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were applied to define the relationship between FER1L4, miR-612, and Cadherin 4 (CDH4). Results Upregulated expression of FER1L4 in PTC tissues was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.020), extrathyroidal extension (P = 0.013) and advanced TNM stages (P = 0.013). In addition, knockdown of FER1L4 suppressed PTC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas ectopic expression of FER1L4 inversely promoted these processes. Mechanistically, FER1L4 could competitively bind with miR-612 to prevent the degradation of its target gene CDH4. This condition was further confirmed in the rescue assays. Conclusions This study first demonstrates FER1L4 plays an oncogenic role in PTC via a FER1L4-miR-612-CDH4 axis and may provide new therapeutic and diagnostic targets for PTC.

scholarly journals Partitioning of N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Fusion (NSF) Protein Function in Drosophila melanogaster: dNSF1 Is Required in the Nervous System, and dNSF2 Is Required in Mesoderm

Genetics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 158 (1) ◽  
pp. 265-278
Author(s):  
Jessica A Golby ◽  
Leigh Anna Tolar ◽  
Leo Pallanck
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Drosophila Genome ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Expression Studies ◽  
Larval Nervous System ◽  
Constitutive Secretion ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

Abstract The N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) promotes the fusion of secretory vesicles with target membranes in both regulated and constitutive secretion. While it is thought that a single NSF may perform this function in many eukaryotes, previous work has shown that the Drosophila genome contains two distinct NSF genes, dNSF1 and dNSF2, raising the possibility that each plays a specific secretory role. To explore this possibility, we generated mutations in the dNSF2 gene and used these and novel dNSF1 loss-of-function mutations to analyze the temporal and spatial requirements and the degree of functional redundancy between dNSF1 and dNSF2. Results of this analysis indicate that dNSF1 function is required in the nervous system beginning at the adult stage of development and that dNSF2 function is required in mesoderm beginning at the first instar larval stage of development. Additional evidence suggests that dNSF1 and dNSF2 may play redundant roles during embryonic development and in the larval nervous system. Ectopic expression studies demonstrate that the dNSF1 and dNSF2 gene products can functionally substitute for one another. These results indicate that the Drosophila NSF proteins exhibit similar functional properties, but have evolved distinct tissue-specific roles.

scholarly journals Biological importance of OCT transcription factors in reprogramming and development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kee-Pyo Kim ◽  
Dong Wook Han ◽  
Johnny Kim ◽  
Hans R. Schöler
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Donor Cell ◽  
Structural Components ◽  
Oct4 Expression ◽  
Reprogramming Factors ◽  
Induced Pluripotent

AbstractEctopic expression of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc can reprogram somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Attempts to identify genes or chemicals that can functionally replace each of these four reprogramming factors have revealed that exogenous Oct4 is not necessary for reprogramming under certain conditions or in the presence of alternative factors that can regulate endogenous Oct4 expression. For example, polycistronic expression of Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc can elicit reprogramming by activating endogenous Oct4 expression indirectly. Experiments in which the reprogramming competence of all other Oct family members tested and also in different species have led to the decisive conclusion that Oct proteins display different reprogramming competences and species-dependent reprogramming activity despite their profound sequence conservation. We discuss the roles of the structural components of Oct proteins in reprogramming and how donor cell epigenomes endow Oct proteins with different reprogramming competences.

scholarly journals Msn2- and Msn4-Like Transcription Factors Play No Obvious Roles in the Stress Responses of the Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans

2004 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 1111-1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Nicholls ◽  
Melissa Straffon ◽  
Brice Enjalbert ◽  
André Nantel ◽  
Susan Macaskill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Heavy Metal Stress ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Response Element ◽  
Dna Binding Domains ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Adverse Environmental Conditions

ABSTRACT In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the (C2H2)2 zinc finger transcription factors Msn2 and Msn4 play central roles in responses to a range of stresses by activating gene transcription via the stress response element (STRE; CCCCT). The pathogen Candida albicans displays stress responses that are thought to help it survive adverse environmental conditions encountered within its human host. However, these responses differ from those in S. cerevisiae, and hence we predicted that the roles of Msn2- and Msn4-like proteins might have been functionally reassigned in C. albicans. C. albicans has two such proteins: CaMsn4 and Mnl1 (for Msn2- and Msn4-like). CaMSN4, but not MNL1, weakly complemented the inability of an S. cerevisiae msn2 msn4 mutant to activate a STRE-lacZ reporter. Also, the disruption of CaMsn4 and Mnl1 had no discernible effect upon the resistance of C. albicans to heat, osmotic, ethanol, nutrient, oxidative, or heavy-metal stress or upon the stress-activated transcriptome in C. albicans. Furthermore, although Cap1-dependent activation of a Yap response element-luciferase reporter was observed, a STRE reporter was not activated in response to stresses in C. albicans. Ectopic expression of CaMsn4 or Mnl1 did not affect the cellular or molecular responses of C. albicans to stress. Under the conditions tested, the putative activation and DNA binding domains of CaMsn4 did not appear to be functional. These data suggest that CaMsn4 and Mnl1 do not contribute significantly to stress responses in C. albicans. The data are consistent with the idea that stress signaling in this fungus has diverged significantly from that in budding yeast.

scholarly journals Crosstalk of CREB and Fos/Jun on a single cis-element: transcriptional repression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene

2007 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pulak R Manna ◽  
Douglas M Stocco
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Protein Gene ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Creb Binding Protein ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Cis Element ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory

AbstractTranscriptional regulation of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein gene by cAMP-dependent mechanisms occurs in the absence of a consensus cAMP-response element (CRE; TGACGTCA) and is mediated by several sequence-specific transcription factors. We previously identified three CRE-like sites (within the −151/−1 bp cAMP-responsive region of the mouse StAR gene), of which the CRE2 site overlaps with an activator protein-1 (AP-1) motif (TGACTGA, designated as CRE2/AP-1) that can bind both CRE and AP-1 DNA-binding proteins. The present studies were aimed at exploring the functional crosstalk between CREB (CRE-binding protein) and cFos/cJun (AP-1 family members) on the CRE2/AP-1 element and its role in regulating transcription of the StAR gene. Using MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells, we demonstrate that the CRE and AP-1 families of proteins interact with the CRE2/AP-1 sequence. CREB, cFos, and cJun proteins were found to bind to the CRE2/AP-1 motif but not the CRE1 and CRE3 sites. Treatment with the cAMP analog (Bu)2cAMP augmented phosphorylation of CREB (Ser133), cFos (Thr325), and cJun (ser73). Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies revealed that the induction of CREB, cFos, and cJun by (Bu)2cAMP was correlated with protein–DNA interactions and recruitment of the coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP) to the StAR promoter. EMSA studies employing CREB and cFos/cJun proteins demonstrated competition between these factors for binding to the CRE2/AP-1 motif. Transfection of cells containing the −151/−1 StAR reporter with CREB and cFos/cJun resulted in trans-repression of the StAR gene, an event tightly associated with CBP, demonstrating that both CREB and Fos/Jun compete with each other for binding with limited amounts of intracellular CBP. Overexpression of adenovirus E1A, which binds and inactivates CBP, markedly suppressed StAR gene expression. Ectopic expression of CBP eliminated the repression of the StAR gene by E1A and potentiated the activity of CREB and cFos/cJun on StAR promoter responsiveness. These findings identify molecular events involved in crosstalk between CREB and cFos/cJun, which confer both gain and loss of function on a single cis-element in fine-tuning of the regulatory events involved in transcription of the StAR gene.

scholarly journals The Sp transcription factors are involved in the cellular expression of the human glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor gene and overexpressed in adrenals of patients with Cushing’s syndrome

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valérie Baldacchino ◽  
Sylvie Oble ◽  
Patrick-Olivier Décarie ◽  
Isabelle Bourdeau ◽  
Pavel Hamet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Cushing’S Syndrome ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Gene Array ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Cushing's Syndrome ◽  
Tissue Array ◽  
R Gene ◽  
Consensus Sequences ◽  
Cellular Expression

The best characterized effect of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is its stimulatory effect on insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells. Recently, it was demonstrated that some cases of primary adrenal Cushing’s syndrome were secondary to the ectopic expression of non-mutated GIP receptor (GIP-R) in bilateral adrenal hyperplasias or unilateral adrenal adenomas, resulting in food-dependent steroidogenesis. Using a human multiple-expression tissue array, GIP-R was found to be expressed in a large number of human adult and fetal tissues, but not in the adrenal gland. The analysis of the promoter region of human (h) GIP-R gene revealed six consensus sequences important in regulating the reporter gene activity and capable of binding to Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors. Data obtained by gene array and semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed an increase in the expression of Sp3 and CRSP9 (co-regulator of Sp1 transcription factor, subunit 9) in the adrenal adenomas or bilateral macronodular hyperplasias of patients with GIP-dependent Cushing’s syndrome; they were, however, also increased in some patients with non-GIP-dependent cortisol-secreting adenomas or with ACTH-dependent Cushing’s disease. This study represents the first step in our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of the expression of the hGIP-R gene.

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