Lineage context switches the function of a C. elegans Pax6 homolog in determining a neuronal fate.
Development
; 146(8)2019 04 15.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30890567
ABSTRACT
The sensory nervous system of C. elegans comprises cells with varied molecular and functional characteristics, and is, therefore, a powerful model for understanding mechanisms that generate neuronal diversity. We report here that VAB-3, a C. elegans homolog of the homeodomain-containing protein Pax6, has opposing functions in regulating expression of a specific chemosensory fate. A homeodomain-only short isoform of VAB-3 is expressed in BAG chemosensory neurons, where it promotes gene expression and cell function. In other cells, a long isoform of VAB-3, comprising a Paired homology domain and a homeodomain, represses expression of ETS-5, a transcription factor required for expression of BAG fate. Repression of ets-5 requires the Eyes Absent homolog EYA-1 and the Six-class homeodomain protein CEH-32. We determined sequences that mediate high-affinity binding of ETS-5, VAB-3 and CEH-32. The ets-5 locus is enriched for ETS-5-binding sites but lacks sequences that bind VAB-3 and CEH-32, suggesting that these factors do not directly repress ets-5 expression. We propose that a promoter-selection system together with lineage-specific expression of accessory factors allows VAB-3/Pax6 to either promote or repress expression of specific cell fates in a context-dependent manner. This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Asunto principal:
Factores de Transcripción
/
Caenorhabditis elegans
/
Proteínas de Homeodominio
/
Proteínas de Caenorhabditis elegans
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Development
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
/
EMBRIOLOGIA
Año:
2019
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos