scholarly journals A Hox-Eya-Pax Complex Regulates Early Kidney Developmental Gene Expression

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (21) ◽  
pp. 7661-7668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ke-Qin Gong ◽  
Alisha R. Yallowitz ◽  
Hanshi Sun ◽  
Gregory R. Dressler ◽  
Deneen M. Wellik
Keyword(s):  
Target Genes ◽  
Kidney Development ◽  
Metanephric Mesenchyme ◽  
Hox Proteins ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Developmental Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Binding Specificity ◽  
Mesoderm Specification ◽  
Anterior Posterior

ABSTRACT During embryonic development, the anterior-posterior body axis is specified in part by the combinatorial activities of Hox genes. Given the poor DNA binding specificity of Hox proteins, their interaction with cofactors to regulate target genes is critical. However, few regulatory partners or downstream target genes have been identified. Herein, we demonstrate that Hox11 paralogous proteins form a complex with Pax2 and Eya1 to directly activate expression of Six2 and Gdnf in the metanephric mesenchyme. We have identified the binding site within the Six2 enhancer necessary for Hox11-Eya1-Pax2-mediated activation and demonstrate that this site is essential for Six2 expression in vivo. Furthermore, genetic interactions between Hox11 and Eya1 are consistent with their participation in the same pathway. Thus, anterior-posterior-patterning Hox proteins interact with Pax2 and Eya1, factors important for nephrogenic mesoderm specification, to directly regulate the activation of downstream target genes during early kidney development.

scholarly journals Role of a versatile peptide motif controlling Hox nuclear export and autophagy in the Drosophila fat body

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (18) ◽  
pp. jcs241943
Author(s):  
Marilyne Duffraisse ◽  
Rachel Paul ◽  
Julie Carnesecchi ◽  
Bruno Hudry ◽  
Agnes Banreti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Export ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Nuclear Export Signal ◽  
Peptide Motif ◽  
Hox Proteins ◽  
Downstream Target

ABSTRACTHox proteins are major regulators of embryonic development, acting in the nucleus to regulate the expression of their numerous downstream target genes. By analyzing deletion forms of the Drosophila Hox protein Ultrabithorax (Ubx), we identified the presence of an unconventional nuclear export signal (NES) that overlaps with a highly conserved motif originally described as mediating the interaction with the PBC proteins, a generic and crucial class of Hox transcriptional cofactors that act in development and cancer. We show that this unconventional NES is involved in the interaction with the major exportin protein CRM1 (also known as Embargoed in flies) in vivo and in vitro. We find that this interaction is tightly regulated in the Drosophila fat body to control the autophagy-repressive activity of Ubx during larval development. The role of the PBC interaction motif as part of an unconventional NES was also uncovered in other Drosophila and human Hox proteins, highlighting the evolutionary conservation of this novel function. Together, our results reveal the extreme molecular versatility of a unique short peptide motif for controlling the context-dependent activity of Hox proteins both at transcriptional and non-transcriptional levels.

scholarly journals Definition of the Transcriptional Activation Domains of Three Human HOX Proteins Depends on the DNA-Binding Context

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6201-6212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Alessandra Viganò ◽  
Giuliana Di Rocco ◽  
Vincenzo Zappavigna ◽  
Fulvio Mavilio
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Hox Proteins ◽  
Activation Domains ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Transcriptional Machinery ◽  
Transcriptional Activation Domains

ABSTRACT Hox proteins control developmental patterns and cell differentiation in vertebrates by acting as positive or negative regulators of still unidentified downstream target genes. The homeodomain and other small accessory sequences encode the DNA-protein and protein-protein interaction functions which ultimately dictate target recognition and functional specificity in vivo. The effector domains responsible for either positive or negative interactions with the cell transcriptional machinery are unknown for most Hox proteins, largely due to a lack of physiological targets on which to carry out functional analysis. We report the identification of the transcriptional activation domains of three human Hox proteins, HOXB1, HOXB3, and HOXD9, which interact in vivo with the autoregulatory and cross-regulatory enhancers of the murine Hoxb-1 and human HOXD9 genes. Activation domains have been defined both in a homologous context, i.e., within a HOX protein binding as a monomer or as a HOX-PBX heterodimer to the specific target, and in a heterologous context, after translocation to the yeast Gal4 DNA-binding domain. Transfection analysis indicates that activation domains can be identified in different regions of the three HOX proteins depending on the context in which they interact with the DNA target. These results suggest that Hox proteins may be multifunctional transcriptional regulators, interacting with different cofactors and/or components of the transcriptional machinery depending on the structure of their target regulatory elements.

scholarly journals MODL-16. ABEMACICLIB, A SELECTIVE CDK4/6 INHIBITOR, RESTRICTS GROWTH OF PEDIATRIC GLIAL-LINEAGE TUMORS IN VITRO AND IN VIVO

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii414-iii414
Author(s):  
Muh-Lii Liang ◽  
Tsung-Han Hsieh ◽  
Tai-Tong Wong
Keyword(s):  
Dna Repair ◽  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Rb Phosphorylation ◽  
Glial Lineage

Abstract BACKGROUND Glial-lineage tumors constitute a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, comprising gliomas, oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas, which account for 40%–50% of all pediatric central nervous system tumors. Advances in modern neuro-oncological therapeutics are aimed at improving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and deferring radiotherapy because radiation exposure may cause long-term side effects on the developing brain in young children. Despite aggressive treatment, more than half the high-grade gliomas (pHGGs) and one-third of ependymomas exhibit recurrence within 2 years of initial treatment. METHODS By using integrated bioinformatics and through experimental validation, we found that at least one gene among CCND1, CDK4, and CDK6 was overexpressed in pHGGs and ependymomas. RESULTS The use of abemaciclib, a highly selective CDK4/6 inhibitor, effectively inhibited cell proliferation and reduced the expression of cell cycle–related and DNA repair–related gene expression, which was determined through RNA-seq analysis. The efficiency of abemaciclib was validated in vitro in pHGGs and ependymoma cells and in vivo by using subcutaneously implanted ependymoma cells from patient-derived xenograft (PDX) in mouse models. Abemaciclib demonstrated the suppression of RB phosphorylation, downstream target genes of E2F, G2M checkpoint, and DNA repair, resulting in tumor suppression. CONCLUSION Abemaciclib showed encouraging results in preclinical pediatric glial-lineage tumors models and represented a potential therapeutic strategy for treating challenging tumors in children.

scholarly journals Direct activation of Sex-lethal transcription by the Drosophila runt protein

Development ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.G. Kramer ◽  
T.M. Jinks ◽  
P. Schedl ◽  
J.P. Gergen
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Transcriptional Activation Domain ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Early Promoter ◽  
Dna Binding Activity ◽  
Sex Lethal

Runt functions as a transcriptional regulator in multiple developmental pathways in Drosophila melanogaster. Recent evidence indicates that Runt represses the transcription of several downstream target genes in the segmentation pathway. Here we demonstrate that runt also functions to activate transcription. The initial expression of the female-specific sex-determining gene Sex-lethal in the blastoderm embryo requires runt activity. Consistent with a role as a direct activator, Runt shows sequence-specific binding to multiple sites in the Sex-lethal early promoter. Using an in vivo transient assay, we demonstrate that Runt's DNA-binding activity is essential for Sex-lethal activation in vivo. These experiments further reveal that increasing the dosage of runt alone is sufficient for triggering the transcriptional activation of Sex-lethal in males. In addition, a Runt fusion protein, containing a heterologous transcriptional activation domain activates Sex-lethal expression, indicating that this regulation is direct and not via repression of other repressors. Moreover, we demonstrate that a small segment of the Sex-lethal early promoter that contains Runt-binding sites mediates Runt-dependent transcriptional activation in vivo.

MiR-30a-5p Downregulation Induces Neuronal Autophagy by Activating AMPK After 2856MHz Microwave Radiation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanhui Hao ◽  
Wenchao Li ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Haoyu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microwave Radiation ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Neuronal Damage ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Neuronal Autophagy

Abstract Background With the development of science and technology, microwaves are being widely used. More and more attention has been paid to the potential health hazards of microwave exposure. The regulation of miR-30a-5p (miR-30a) on autophagy is involved in the pathophysiological process of many diseases. Our previous study found that 30 mW/cm2 microwave radiation could reduce miR-30a expression and activate neuronal autophagy in rat hippocampus. However, the roles played by miR-30a in microwave-induced neuronal autophagy and related mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Results In the present study, we established neuronal damage models by exposing rat hippocampal neurons and rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell-derived neuron-like cells to 30 mW/cm2 microwave, which resulted in miR-30a downregulation and autophagy activation in vivo and in vitro. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted, and Beclin1, Prkaa2, Irs1, Pik3r2, Rras2, Ddit4, Gabarapl2 and autophagy-related gene 12 (Atg12) were identified as potential downstream target genes of miR-30a involved in regulating autophagy. Based on our previous findings that microwave radiation can cause a neuronal energy metabolism disorder, Prkaa2, encoding adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase α2 (AMPKα2, an important catalytic subunit of energy sensor AMPK), was selected for further analysis. Dual-luciferase reporter assay results showed that Prkaa2 is a downstream target gene of miR-30a. Microwave radiation increased the expression and phosphorylation (Thr172) of AMPKα both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the transduction of cells with miR-30a mimics suppressed AMPKα2 expression, inhibited AMPKα (Thr172) phosphorylation and reduced autophagy flux in neuron-like cells. Importantly, miR-30a mimics abolished microwave-activated autophagy and inhibited microwave-induced AMPKα (Thr172) phosphorylation. Conclusions AMPKα2 was a newly founded downstream gene of miR-30a involved in autophagy regulation, and miR-30a downregulation after microwave radiation could promote neuronal autophagy by increasing AMPKα2 expression and activating AMPK signaling.

Genetic evidence for the transcriptional-activating function of Homothorax during adult fly development

Development ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 128 (18) ◽  
pp. 3405-3413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adi Inbal ◽  
Naomi Halachmi ◽  
Charna Dibner ◽  
Dale Frank ◽  
Adi Salzberg
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Genetic Evidence ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Native Form ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Activating Function

Homothorax (HTH) is a homeobox-containing protein, which plays multiple roles in the development of the embryo and the adult fly. HTH binds to the homeotic cofactor Extradenticle (EXD) and translocates it to the nucleus. Its function within the nucleus is less clear. It was shown, mainly by in vitro studies, that HTH can bind DNA as a part of ternary HTH/EXD/HOX complexes, but little is known about the transcription regulating function of HTH-containing complexes in the context of the developing fly. Here we present genetic evidence, from in vivo studies, for the transcriptional-activating function of HTH. The HTH protein was forced to act as a transcriptional repressor by fusing it to the Engrailed (EN) repression domain, or as a transcriptional activator, by fusing it to the VP16 activation domain, without perturbing its ability to translocate EXD to the nucleus. Expression of the repressing form of HTH in otherwise wild-type imaginal discs phenocopied hth loss of function. Thus, the repressing form was working as an antimorph, suggesting that normally HTH is required to activate the transcription of downstream target genes. This conclusion was further supported by the observation that the activating form of HTH caused typical hth gain-of-function phenotypes and could rescue hth loss-of-function phenotypes. Similar results were obtained with XMeis3, the Xenopus homologue of HTH, extending the known functional similarity between the two proteins. Competition experiments demonstrated that the repressing forms of HTH or XMeis3 worked as true antimorphs competing with the transcriptional activity of the native form of HTH. We also describe the phenotypic consequences of HTH antimorph activity in derivatives of the wing, labial and genital discs. Some of the described phenotypes, for example, a proboscis-to-leg transformation, were not previously associated with alterations in HTH activity. Observing the ability of HTH antimorphs to interfere with different developmental pathways may direct us to new targets of HTH. The HTH antimorph described in this work presents a new means by which the transcriptional activity of the endogenous HTH protein can be blocked in an inducible fashion in any desired cells or tissues without interfering with nuclear localization of EXD.

Regulation of Hox target genes by a DNA bound Homothorax/Hox/Extradenticle complex

Development ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 126 (22) ◽  
pp. 5137-5148 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.D. Ryoo ◽  
T. Marty ◽  
F. Casares ◽  
M. Affolter ◽  
R.S. Mann
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Homeodomain Protein ◽  
Hox Proteins ◽  
Trimeric Complex ◽  
Binding Residue ◽  
Dominant Negative Form

To regulate their target genes, the Hox proteins of Drosophila often bind to DNA as heterodimers with the homeodomain protein Extradenticle (EXD). For EXD to bind DNA, it must be in the nucleus, and its nuclear localization requires a third homeodomain protein, Homothorax (HTH). Here we show that a conserved N-terminal domain of HTH directly binds to EXD in vitro, and is sufficient to induce the nuclear localization of EXD in vivo. However, mutating a key DNA binding residue in the HTH homeodomain abolishes many of its in vivo functions. HTH binds to DNA as part of a HTH/Hox/EXD trimeric complex, and we show that this complex is essential for the activation of a natural Hox target enhancer. Using a dominant negative form of HTH we provide evidence that similar complexes are important for several Hox- and exd-mediated functions in vivo. These data suggest that Hox proteins often function as part of a multiprotein complex, composed of HTH, Hox, and EXD proteins, bound to DNA.

scholarly journals Id1 is a common downstream target of oncogenic tyrosine kinases in leukemic cells

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 1981-1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winnie F. Tam ◽  
Ting-Lei Gu ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
Benjamin H. Lee ◽  
Lars Bullinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Malignancy ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Models Of Disease ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract Oncogenic tyrosine kinases, such as BCR-ABL, TEL-ABL, TEL-PDGFβR, and FLT3-ITD, play a major role in the development of hematopoietic malignancy. They activate many of the same signal transduction pathways. To identify the critical target genes required for transformation in hematopoietic cells, we used a comparative gene expression strategy in which selective small molecules were applied to 32Dcl3 cells that had been transformed to factor-independent growth by these respective oncogenic alleles. We identified inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (Id1), a gene involved in development, cell cycle, and tumorigenesis, as a common target of these oncogenic kinases. These findings were prospectively confirmed in cell lines and primary bone marrow cells engineered to express the respective tyrosine kinase alleles and were also confirmed in vivo in murine models of disease. Moreover, human AML cell lines Molm-14 and K562, which express the FLT3-ITD and BCR-ABL tyrosine kinases, respectively, showed high levels of Id1 expression. Antisense and siRNA based knockdown of Id1-inhibited growth of these cells associated with increased p27Kip1 expression and increased sensitivity to Trail-induced apoptosis. These findings indicate that Id1 is an important target of constitutively activated tyrosine kinases and may be a therapeutic target for leukemias associated with oncogenic tyrosine kinases.

Overexpression of Foxf2 in adipose tissue is associated with lower levels of IRS1 and decreased glucose uptake in vivo

2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (3) ◽  
pp. E548-E554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rickard Westergren ◽  
Daniel Nilsson ◽  
Mikael Heglind ◽  
Zahra Arani ◽  
Mats Grände ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Glucose Tolerance ◽  
Glucose Uptake ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Intravenous Glucose ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Protein Levels

Many members of the forkhead genes family of transcription factors have been implicated as important regulators of metabolism, in particular, glucose homeostasis, e.g., Foxo1, Foxa3, and Foxc2. The purpose of this study was to exploit the possibility that yet unknown members of this gene family play a role in regulating glucose tolerance in adipocytes. We identified Foxf2 in a screen for adipose-expressed forkhead genes. In vivo overexpression of Foxf2 in an adipose tissue-restricted fashion demonstrated that such mice display a significantly induced insulin secretion in response to an intravenous glucose load compared with wild-type littermates. In response to increased Foxf2 expression, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) mRNA and protein levels are significantly downregulated in adipocytes; however, the ratio of serine vs. tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS1 seems to remain unaffected. Furthermore, adipocytes overexpressing Foxf2 have a significantly lower insulin-mediated glucose uptake compared with wild-type adipocytes. These findings argue that Foxf2 is a previously unrecognized regulator of cellular and systemic whole body glucose tolerance, at least in part, due to lower levels of IRS1. Foxf2 and its downstream target genes can provide new insights with regard to identification of novel therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals Genetic Dissection of Cadherin Function during Nephrogenesis

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 1474-1487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Dahl ◽  
Anders Sjödin ◽  
Lionel Larue ◽  
Glenn L. Radice ◽  
Stefan Cajander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Development ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Genetic Dissection ◽  
Metanephric Mesenchyme ◽  
Ureteric Bud ◽  
Metanephric Kidney ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT The distinct expression of R-cadherin in the induced aggregating metanephric mesenchyme suggests that it may regulate the mesenchymal-epithelial transition during kidney development. To address whether R-cadherin is required for kidney ontogeny, R-cadherin-deficient mice were generated. These mice appeared to be healthy and were fertile, demonstrating that R-cadherin is not essential for embryogenesis. The only kidney phenotype of adult mutant animals was the appearance of dilated proximal tubules, which was associated with an accumulation of large intracellular vacuoles. Morphological analysis of nephrogenesis in R-cadherin −/− mice in vivo and in vitro revealed defects in the development of both ureteric bud-derived cells and metanephric mesenchyme-derived cells. First, the morphology and organization of the proximal parts of the ureteric bud epithelium were altered. Interestingly, these morphological changes correlated with an increased rate of apoptosis and were further supported by perturbed branching and patterning of the ureteric bud epithelium during in vitro differentiation. Second, during in vitro studies of mesenchymal-epithelial conversion, significantly fewer epithelial structures developed from R-cadherin −/− kidneys than from wild-type kidneys. These data suggest that R-cadherin is functionally involved in the differentiation of both mesenchymal and epithelial components during metanephric kidney development. Finally, to investigate whether the redundant expression of other classic cadherins expressed in the kidney could explain the rather mild kidney defects in R-cadherin-deficient mice, we intercrossed R-cadherin −/− mice with cadherin-6−/− , P-cadherin −/−, and N-cadherin +/− mice. Surprisingly, however, in none of the compound knockout strains was kidney development affected to a greater extent than within the individual cadherin knockout strains.

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