Neuroectodermal transcription of the Drosophila neurogenic genes E(spl) and HLH-m5 is regulated by proneural genes

Development ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 815-826 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Kramatschek ◽  
J.A. Campos-Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Lacz Gene ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Split Gene ◽  
Neurogenic Genes ◽  
Normal Expression ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Bhlh Proteins ◽  
Enhancer Of Split

The Enhancer of split gene complex (E(SPL)-C) of Drosophila comprises seven genes encoding bHLH proteins, which are required by neuroectodermal cells for epidermal development. Using promoter and gene fusions with the lacZ gene, we determined the location of cis-acting sequences necessary for normal expression of two of the genes of the E(SPL)-C, E(spl) and HLH-m5. About 0.46 kb of E(spl) and 1.9 kb of HLH-m5 upstream sequences are necessary to reproduce the normal transcription pattern of these genes. The gene products of achaete, scute and lethal of scute, together with that of ventral nervous system condensation defective, act synergistically to specify the neuroectodermal E(spl) and HLH-m5 expression domains. Negative cross- and autoregulatory interactions of the E(SPL)-C on E(spl) contribute, directly or indirectly, to this regulation. Interactions involve DNA binding, since mutagenesis of binding sites for bHLH proteins in the E(spl) promoter abolishes neuroectodermal expression and activates ectopic expression in neuroblasts. A model for activation and repression of E(spl) in the neuroectoderm and neuroblasts, respectively, is proposed.

scholarly journals Ectopic expression of the Stabilin2 gene triggered by an intracisternal A particle (IAP) element in DBA/2J strain of mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 2-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuyo Maeda-Smithies ◽  
Sylvia Hiller ◽  
Sharlene Dong ◽  
Hyung-Suk Kim ◽  
Brian J. Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Promoter Region ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Scavenger Receptor ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Complete Suppression ◽  
Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells ◽  
Normal Expression ◽  
Number Of Genes ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Intracisternal A Particle

AbstractStabilin2 (Stab2) encodes a large transmembrane protein which is predominantly expressed in the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and functions as a scavenger receptor for various macromolecules including hyaluronans (HA). In DBA/2J mice, plasma HA concentration is ten times higher than in 129S6 or C57BL/6J mice, and this phenotype is genetically linked to the Stab2 locus. Stab2 mRNA in the LSECs was significantly lower in DBA/2J than in 129S6, leading to reduced STAB2 proteins in the DBA/2J LSECs. We found a retrovirus-derived transposable element, intracisternal A particle (IAP), in the promoter region of Stab2DBA which likely interferes with normal expression in the LSECs. In contrast, in other tissues of DBA/2J mice, the IAP drives high ectopic Stab2DBA transcription starting within the 5′ long terminal repeat of IAP in a reverse orientation and continuing through the downstream Stab2DBA. Ectopic transcription requires the Stab2-IAP element but is dominantly suppressed by the presence of loci on 59.7–73.0 Mb of chromosome (Chr) 13 from C57BL/6J, while the same region in 129S6 requires additional loci for complete suppression. Chr13:59.9–73 Mb contains a large number of genes encoding Krüppel-associated box-domain zinc-finger proteins that target transposable elements-derived sequences and repress their expression. Despite the high amount of ectopic Stab2DBA transcript in tissues other than liver, STAB2 protein was undetectable and unlikely to contribute to the plasma HA levels of DBA/2J mice. Nevertheless, the IAP insertion and its effects on the transcription of the downstream Stab2DBA exemplify that stochastic evolutional events could significantly influence susceptibility to complex but common diseases.

Multiple GCD genes required for repression of GCN4, a transcriptional activator of amino acid biosynthetic genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 3990-3998
Author(s):  
S Harashima ◽  
A G Hinnebusch
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Lacz Gene ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Double Mutation ◽  
Double Stranded Rna ◽  
Amino Acid Availability ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
New Alleles

GCN4 encodes a positive regulator of multiple unlinked genes encoding amino acid biosynthetic enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Expression of GCN4 is coupled to amino acid availability by a control mechanism involving GCD1 as a negative effector and GCN1, GCN2, and GCN3 as positive effectors of GCN4 expression. We used reversion of a gcn2 gcn3 double mutation to isolate new alleles of GCD1 and mutations in four additional GCD genes which we designate GCD10, GCD11, GCD12, and GCD13. All of the mutations lead to constitutive derepression of HIS4 transcription in the absence of the GCN2+ and GCN3+ alleles. By contrast, the gcd mutations require the wild-type GCN4 allele for their derepressing effect, suggesting that each acts by influencing the level of GCN4 activity in the cell. Consistent with this interpretation, mutations in each GCD gene lead to constitutive derepression of a GCN4::lacZ gene fusion. Thus, at least five gene products are required to maintain the normal repressed level of GCN4 expression in nonstarvation conditions. Interestingly, the gcd mutations are pleiotropic and also affect growth rate in nonstarvation conditions. In addition, certain alleles lead to a loss of M double-stranded RNA required for the killer phenotype. This pleiotropy suggests that the GCD gene products contribute to an essential cellular function, in addition to, or in conjunction with, their role in GCN4 regulation.

Cis-acting regulatory sequences governing Wnt-1 expression in the developing mouse CNS

Development ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 120 (8) ◽  
pp. 2213-2224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Echelard ◽  
G. Vassileva ◽  
A.P. McMahon
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Neural Tube Closure ◽  
Regulatory Sequences ◽  
Lacz Gene ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Enhancer Element ◽  
Cis Acting

The protooncogene Wnt-1 encodes a short-range signal which is first expressed in, and appears to demarcate, the presumptive midbrain. Absence of Wnt-1 expression leads to the loss of this region of the brain. By the end of neural tube closure, expression of Wnt-1 extends down much of the dorsal midline of the central nervous system (CNS). Expression is exclusively limited to the CNS at this and later stages. We have investigated the regulation of Wnt-1 during mouse development. Analysis of the embryonic expression of Wnt-1-lacZ reporter constructs spanning nearly 30 kb of the Wnt-1 locus identified a 5.5 kb cis-acting 3′ enhancer element which confers correct temporal and spatial expression on the lacZ gene. Interestingly embryos express Wnt-1-lacZ transgenes in migrating neural crest cells which are derived from the dorsal CNS. Ectopic expression of the Wnt-1-lacZ transgenes may result from perdurance of beta-galactosidase activity in migrating neural crest cells originating from a Wnt-1-expressing region of the dorsal CNS. Alternatively, ectopic expression may arise from transient de novo activation of the transgenes in this cell population. These results are a first step towards addressing how regional cell signaling is established in the mammalian CNS. In addition, transgene expression provides a new tool for the analysis of neural crest development in normal and mutant mouse embryos.

scholarly journals Multiple GCD genes required for repression of GCN4, a transcriptional activator of amino acid biosynthetic genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 3990-3998 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Harashima ◽  
A G Hinnebusch
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Lacz Gene ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Double Mutation ◽  
Double Stranded Rna ◽  
Amino Acid Availability ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
New Alleles

GCN4 encodes a positive regulator of multiple unlinked genes encoding amino acid biosynthetic enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Expression of GCN4 is coupled to amino acid availability by a control mechanism involving GCD1 as a negative effector and GCN1, GCN2, and GCN3 as positive effectors of GCN4 expression. We used reversion of a gcn2 gcn3 double mutation to isolate new alleles of GCD1 and mutations in four additional GCD genes which we designate GCD10, GCD11, GCD12, and GCD13. All of the mutations lead to constitutive derepression of HIS4 transcription in the absence of the GCN2+ and GCN3+ alleles. By contrast, the gcd mutations require the wild-type GCN4 allele for their derepressing effect, suggesting that each acts by influencing the level of GCN4 activity in the cell. Consistent with this interpretation, mutations in each GCD gene lead to constitutive derepression of a GCN4::lacZ gene fusion. Thus, at least five gene products are required to maintain the normal repressed level of GCN4 expression in nonstarvation conditions. Interestingly, the gcd mutations are pleiotropic and also affect growth rate in nonstarvation conditions. In addition, certain alleles lead to a loss of M double-stranded RNA required for the killer phenotype. This pleiotropy suggests that the GCD gene products contribute to an essential cellular function, in addition to, or in conjunction with, their role in GCN4 regulation.

scholarly journals Regulatory Mechanisms Controlling Expression of the DAN/TIR Mannoprotein Genes During Anaerobic Remodeling of the Cell Wall in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genetics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 157 (3) ◽  
pp. 1169-1177
Author(s):  
Natalia E Abramova ◽  
Brian D Cohen ◽  
Odeniel Sertil ◽  
Rachna Kapoor ◽  
Kelvin J A Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Consensus Sequence ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Anaerobic Growth ◽  
Zinc Cluster ◽  
Sterol Transport ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Altered Regulation ◽  
Repression Domain

Abstract The DAN/TIR genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encode homologous mannoproteins, some of which are essential for anaerobic growth. Expression of these genes is induced during anaerobiosis and in some cases during cold shock. We show that several heme-responsive mechanisms combine to regulate DAN/TIR gene expression. The first mechanism employs two repression factors, Mox1 and Mox2, and an activation factor, Mox4 (for mannoprotein regulation by oxygen). The genes encoding these proteins were identified by selecting for recessive mutants with altered regulation of a dan1::ura3 fusion. MOX4 is identical to UPC2, encoding a binucleate zinc cluster protein controlling expression of an anaerobic sterol transport system. Mox4/Upc2 is required for expression of all the DAN/TIR genes. It appears to act through a consensus sequence termed the AR1 site, as does Mox2. The noninducible mox4Δ allele was epistatic to the constitutive mox1 and mox2 mutations, suggesting that Mox1 and Mox2 modulate activation by Mox4 in a heme-dependent fashion. Mutations in a putative repression domain in Mox4 caused constitutive expression of the DAN/TIR genes, indicating a role for this domain in heme repression. MOX4 expression is induced both in anaerobic and cold-shocked cells, so heme may also regulate DAN/TIR expression through inhibition of expression of MOX4. Indeed, ectopic expression of MOX4 in aerobic cells resulted in partially constitutive expression of DAN1. Heme also regulates expression of some of the DAN/TIR genes through the Rox7 repressor, which also controls expression of the hypoxic gene ANB1. In addition Rox1, another heme-responsive repressor, and the global repressors Tup1 and Ssn6 are also required for full aerobic repression of these genes.

Dimerization through the helix-loop-helix motif enhances phosphorylation of the transcription activation domains of myogenin

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 6232-6243
Author(s):  
J Zhou ◽  
E N Olson
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Transcription Activation ◽  
Bhlh Protein ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Phosphorylation Sites ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Activation Domains ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Carboxyl Terminal ◽  
Bhlh Proteins

The muscle-specific basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein myogenin activates muscle transcription by binding to target sequences in muscle-specific promoters and enhancers as a heterodimer with ubiquitous bHLH proteins, such as the E2A gene products E12 and E47. We show that dimerization with E2A products potentiates phosphorylation of myogenin at sites within its amino- and carboxyl-terminal transcription activation domains. Phosphorylation of myogenin at these sites was mediated by the bHLH region of E2A products and was dependent on dimerization but not on DNA binding. Mutations of the dimerization-dependent phosphorylation sites resulted in enhanced transcriptional activity of myogenin, suggesting that their phosphorylation diminishes myogenin's transcriptional activity. The ability of E2A products to potentiate myogenin phosphorylation suggests that dimerization induces a conformational change in myogenin that unmasks otherwise cryptic phosphorylation sites or that E2A proteins recruit a kinase for which myogenin is a substrate. That phosphorylation of these dimerization-dependent sites diminished myogenin's transcriptional activity suggests that these sites are targets for a kinase that interferes with muscle-specific gene expression.

The HML mating-type cassette of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated by two separate but functionally equivalent silencers

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 4621-4630
Author(s):  
D J Mahoney ◽  
J R Broach
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Mating Type ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
The Other ◽  
Functional Domains ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Full Expression ◽  
Mating Type Genes ◽  
Chromosome Iii

Mating-type genes resident in the silent cassette HML at the left arm of chromosome III are repressed by the action of four SIR gene products, most likely mediated through two cis-acting sites located on opposite sides of the locus. We showed that deletion of either of these two cis-acting sites from the chromosome did not yield any detectable derepression of HML, while deletion of both sites yielded full expression of the locus. In addition, each of these sites was capable of exerting repression of heterologous genes inserted in their vicinity. Thus, HML expression is regulated by two independent silencers, each fully competent for maintaining repression. This situation was distinct from the organization of the other silent locus, HMR, at which a single silencer served as the predominant repressor of expression. Examination of identifiable domains and binding sites within the HML silencers suggested that silencing activity can be achieved by a variety of combinations of various functional domains.

scholarly journals Needs and Targets for the multi sex combs Gene Product in Drosophila melanogaster

Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 149 (4) ◽  
pp. 1823-1838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Saget ◽  
Françoise Forquignon ◽  
Pedro Santamaria ◽  
Neel B Randsholt
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Homeotic Genes ◽  
Maternal Control ◽  
Gap Gene ◽  
Sex Combs ◽  
Normal Expression ◽  
Selector Genes ◽  
Mutant Phenotypes

Abstract We have analyzed the requirements for the multi sex combs (mxc) gene during development to gain further insight into the mechanisms and developmental processes that depend on the important trans-regulators forming the Polycomb group (PcG) in Drosophila melanogaster. mxc is allelic with the tumor suppressor locus lethal (1) malignant blood neoplasm (l(1)mbn). We show that the mxc product is dramatically needed in most tissues because its loss leads to cell death after a few divisions. mxc has also a strong maternal effect. We find that hypomorphic mxc mutations enhance other PcG gene mutant phenotypes and cause ectopic expression of homeotic genes, confirming that PcG products are cooperatively involved in repression of selector genes outside their normal expression domains. We also demonstrate that the mxc product is needed for imaginal head specification, through regulation of the ANT-C gene Deformed. Our analysis reveals that mxc is involved in the maternal control of early zygotic gap gene expression previously reported for some PcG genes and suggests that the mechanism of this early PcG function could be different from the PcG-mediated regulation of homeotic selector genes later in development. We discuss these data in view of the numerous functions of PcG genes during development.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Tcf3 Binding by I-mfa Domain Proteins

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1866-1873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Snider ◽  
Hilary Thirlwell ◽  
Jeffrey R. Miller ◽  
Randall T. Moon ◽  
Mark Groudine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Developmental Pathways ◽  
Basic Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Dorsal Axis ◽  
Bhlh Proteins

ABSTRACT We have determined that I-mfa, an inhibitor of several basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins, and XIC, a Xenopusortholog of human I-mf domain-containing protein that shares a highly conserved cysteine-rich C-terminal domain with I-mfa, inhibit the activity and DNA binding of the HMG box transcription factor XTcf3. Ectopic expression of I-mfa or XIC in early Xenopus embryos inhibited dorsal axis specification, the expression of the Tcf3/β-catenin-regulated genessiamois and Xnr3, and the ability of β-catenin to activate reporter constructs driven by Lef/Tcf binding sites. I-mfa domain proteins can regulate both the Wnt signaling pathway and a subset of bHLH proteins, possibly coordinating the activities of these two critical developmental pathways.

Transducing positional information to the Hox genes: critical interaction of cdx gene products with position-sensitive regulatory elements

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (22) ◽  
pp. 4349-4358 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Charite ◽  
W. de Graaff ◽  
D. Consten ◽  
M.J. Reijnen ◽  
J. Korving ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Regulatory Element ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Positional Information ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Anteroposterior Patterning

Studies of pattern formation in the vertebrate central nervous system indicate that anteroposterior positional information is generated in the embryo by signalling gradients of an as yet unknown nature. We searched for transcription factors that transduce this information to the Hox genes. Based on the assumption that the activity levels of such factors might vary with position along the anteroposterior axis, we devised an in vivo assay to detect responsiveness of cis-acting sequences to such differentially active factors. We used this assay to analyze a Hoxb8 regulatory element, and detected the most pronounced response in a short stretch of DNA containing a cluster of potential CDX binding sites. We show that differentially expressed DNA binding proteins are present in gastrulating embryos that bind to these sites in vitro, that cdx gene products are among these, and that binding site mutations that abolish binding of these proteins completely destroy the ability of the regulatory element to drive regionally restricted expression in the embryo. Finally, we show that ectopic expression of cdx gene products anteriorizes expression of reporter transgenes driven by this regulatory element, as well as that of the endogenous Hoxb8 gene, in a manner that is consistent with them being essential transducers of positional information. These data suggest that, in contrast to Drosophila Caudal, vertebrate cdx gene products transduce positional information directly to the Hox genes, acting through CDX binding sites in their enhancers. This may represent the ancestral mode of action of caudal homologues, which are involved in anteroposterior patterning in organisms with widely divergent body plans and modes of development.

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