ABSTRACT
We have isolated a human genomic and cDNA clone that encodes a protein of 403 amino acids and belongs to the family of the FOX transcription factors (previously called HNF-3/forkhead transcription factors). The 2.7-kb transcript of the human FOXQ1 gene is expressed predominantly in the stomach, trachea, bladder and salivary gland. Additionally, overexpression of human FOXQ1 was shown in colorectal adenocarcinoma and lung carcinoma cell lines. The FOXQ1 gene is located on chromosome 6p23-25. Databank analysis shows 82% homology with the mouse Foxq1 gene (formerly Hfh-1L) and with a revised sequence of the rat FoxQ1 gene (formerly HFH-1). The DNA-binding motif, named HNF-3/forkhead domain, is well conserved, showing 100% identity in human, mouse, and rat. The human protein sequence contains two putative transcriptional activation domains, which share a high amino acid identity with the corresponding mouse and rat domains.
Subject(s)
DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Genome, Human , Trans-Activators/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , DNA, Complementary/genetics , DNA, Complementary/isolation & purification , Forkhead Transcription Factors , Gene Expression Profiling , Helix-Turn-Helix Motifs , Humans , Mice , Molecular Sequence Data , Organ Specificity , Rats , Tumor Cells, CulturedABSTRACT
Lithium ions affect pattern formation in the freshwater polyp Hydra vulgaris in a complex manner. Although a long-term treatment with 1 mM LiCl completely suppresses both head formation and budding, a reduction of the lithium concentration during a long-term treatment from 4 to 1 mM LiCl strongly promotes the differentiation of ectopic head structures. Meanwhile, budding, often interpreted as a special case of head formation, remains suppressed. The appearance of ectopic tentacles under these conditions is surprising as they develop while the animals remain in the presence of 1 mM LiCl, a concentration which would normally suppress the formation of tentacles. On a molecular level, the induction of ectopic head structures by the shift in the LiCl concentration is preceded by an increase in the level of inositol phosphates, indicating an activation of the phosphatidylinositol (PI) cycle. Increased inositol phosphate levels persist for at least 24 hr. Our results provide evidence that (i) tentacle- and bud-forming systems need different and possibly mutually exclusive physiological preconditions and (ii) prolonged inhibition of the PI cycle after initial activation might be necessary to obtain ectopic tentacles.