Transcription Factor Family (transcription + factor_family)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Life Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Transcription factor families inferred from genome sequences of photosynthetic stramenopiles

NEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 1 2010
Edda Rayko
Summary ,By comparative analyses we identify lineage-specific diversity in transcription factors (TFs) from stramenopile (or heterokont) genome sequences. We compared a pennate (Phaeodactylum tricornutum) and a centric diatom (Thalassiosira pseudonana) with those of other stramenopiles (oomycetes, Pelagophyceae, and Phaeophyceae (Ectocarpus siliculosus)) as well as to that of Emiliania huxleyi, a haptophyte that is evolutionarily related to the stramenopiles. ,We provide a detailed description of diatom TF complements and report numerous peculiarities: in both diatoms, the heat shock factor (HSF) family is overamplified and constitutes the most abundant class of TFs; Myb and C2H2-type zinc finger TFs are the two most abundant TF families encoded in all the other stramenopile genomes investigated; the presence of diatom and lineage-specific gene fusions, in particular a class of putative photoreceptors with light-sensitive Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) and DNA-binding (basic-leucine zipper, bZIP) domains and an HSF-AP2 domain fusion. ,Expression data analysis shows that many of the TFs studied are transcribed and may be involved in specific responses to environmental stimuli. ,Evolutionary and functional relevance of these observations are discussed. [source]


Common themes emerge in the transcriptional control of T helper and developmental cell fate decisions regulated by the T-box, GATA and ROR families

IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
Sara A. Miller
Summary Cellular differentiation requires the precise action of lineage-determining transcription factors. In the immune system, CD4+ T helper cells differentiate into at least three distinct effector lineages, T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2 and Th17, with the fate of the cell at least in part determined by the transcription factors T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet), GATA-3 and retinoid-related orphan receptor ,t (ROR,t), respectively. Importantly, these transcription factors are members of larger families that are required for numerous developmental transitions from early embryogenesis into adulthood. Mutations in members of these transcription factor families are associated with a number of human genetic diseases due to a failure in completing lineage-specification events when the factor is dysregulated. Mechanistically, there are both common and distinct functional activities that are utilized by T-box, GATA and ROR family members to globally alter the cellular gene expression profiles at specific cell fate decision checkpoints. Therefore, understanding the molecular events that contribute to the ability of T-bet, GATA-3 and ROR,t to define T helper cell lineages can provide valuable information relevant to the establishment of other developmental systems and, conversely, information from diverse developmental systems may provide unexpected insights into the molecular mechanisms utilized in T helper cell differentiation. [source]


Thrombopoietin, flt3-ligand and c-kit-ligand modulate HOX gene expression in expanding cord blood CD133+ cells

CELL PROLIFERATION, Issue 4 2004
C. P. McGuckin
Extrinsic modulators include growth factors and cell adhesion molecules, whereas intrinsic regulation is achieved with many transcription factor families, of which the HOX gene products are known to be important in haemopoiesis. Umbilical cord blood CD133+ HSPC proliferation potential was tested in liquid culture with ,TPOFLK' (thrombopoietin, flt-3 ligand and c-kit ligand, promoting HSPC survival and self-renewal), in comparison to ,K36EG' (c-kit-ligand, interleukins-3 and -6, erythropoietin and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, inducing haemopoietic differentiation). TPOFLK induced a higher CD133+ HSPC proliferation (up to 60-fold more, at week 8) and maintained a higher frequency of the primitive colony-forming cells than K36EG. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed opposite expression patterns for specific HOX genes in expanding cord blood CD133+ HSPC. After 8 weeks in liquid culture, TPOFLK increased the expression of HOX B3, B4 and A9 (associated with uncommitted HSPC) and reduced the expression of HOX B8 and A10 (expressed in committed myeloid cells) when compared to K36EG. These results suggest that TPOFLK induces CD133+ HSPC proliferation, self-renewal and maintenance, up-regulation of HOX B3, B4 and A9 and down-regulation of HOX B8 and A10 gene expression. [source]


Sp1-like transcription factors are regulators of embryonic development in vertebrates

DEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 4 2005
Chengtian Zhao
Sp1-like family is an expanding transcription factor family. Members of this family bind to the GC-box or GT-box elements in the promoter/enhancers and regulate the expression of the target genes. Currently, this family consists of at least nine members, which may act as a transactivator or a repressor on target promoters. Sp1-like transcription factors are expressed during development of vertebrate embryos in ubiquitous or tissue-specific manners and play various roles in embryonic development. This review mainly summarises their expression patterns and functions during vertebrate embryogenesis. [source]


Foxo1 regulates marginal zone B-cell development

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 7 2010
Jing Chen
Abstract A fundamental component of signaling initiated by the BCR and CD19 is the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Downstream of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, the protein kinase AKT phosphorylates several substrates, including members of the forkhead box subgroup O (Foxo) transcription factor family. Among the Foxo proteins, Foxo1 has unique functions in bone marrow B-cell development and peripheral B-cell function. Here, we report a previously unrecognized role for Foxo1 in controlling the ratio of mature B-cell subsets in the spleen. Conditional deletion of Foxo1 in B cells resulted in an increased percentage of marginal zone B cells and a decrease in follicular (FO) B cells. In addition, Foxo1 deficiency corrected the absence of marginal zone B cells that occurs in CD19-deficient mice. These findings show that Foxo1 regulates the balance of mature B-cell subsets and is required for the marginal zone B-cell deficiency phenotype of mice lacking CD19. [source]


Early growth response 2 regulates the survival of thymocytes during positive selection

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Victoria J. Lawson
Abstract The early growth response (Egr) transcription factor family regulates multiple steps during T-cell development. We examine here the role played by Egr2 in positive selection. In double-positive cells, Egr2 is upregulated immediately following TCR ligation, and its expression requires both the MAPK and calcineurin signaling pathways. Inducible transgenic and knockout mice were generated to cause gain- or loss-of-function of Egr2 in double-positive cells, and had reciprocal effects; more mature single-positive cells were made when Egr2 was overexpressed, and fewer when Egr2 was absent. These defects were associated with changes in the survival of positively selected cells rather than perturbation of positive selection or immediate post-selection signaling. The survival function of Egr2 at least partly depends upon its ability to activate the cytokine-mediated survival pathway, likely through negative regulation of both the IL-7R and suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (Socs1), the molecular switch whose downregulation normally results in restored responsiveness to cytokine signaling following selection. While gain of Egr2 caused a decrease in Socs1 mRNA, loss of Egr2 resulted in downregulation of IL-7R, upregulation of Socs1, and inhibition of Stat5 phosphorylation and IL-7-mediated survival post-selection. Therefore, expression of Egr2 following positive selection links the initial TCR signaling event to subsequent survival of signaled cells. [source]


Pathologic expression of MHC class,II is driven by mitogen-activated protein kinases

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
Isabelle Martins
Abstract The class,II transactivator (CIITA) is the master regulator of MHC class,II molecules (MHC,II). In melanoma, the MHC,II are constitutively expressed due to an abnormal transcription of CIITA from its promoter,III (pIII), and requires the presence of a 1-kb enhancer located upstream from this latter. Since mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) have been shown to be activated in most melanomas, we sought to analyze their possible involvement in CIITA expression. Using chemical inhibitors and dominant-negative constructs of MAPK-ERK kinase (Mek1) and MAPK-JNK, we evidenced the inhibition of MHC,II and CIITA expression in melanoma cell lines displaying activated MAPK. Transcriptional regulation by MAPK is known to involve the AP-1 transcription factor family. Sequence analysis revealed an AP-1-responsive motif in the enhancer of CIITA pIII at ,5954/,5947 from the site of transcription initiation. Its mutagenesis reduced CIITA expression four- to fivefold in melanoma cell lines and alleviated the effect of dominant-negative constructs of the MAPK pathway. Together, our findings demonstrate that MAPK-ERK and MAPK-JNK are regulators of CIITA transcription in melanoma, and pinpoint an AP-1-responsive site in the CIITA gene pIII. This should have considerable impact on our understanding of the physio-pathologic expression of MHC,II. [source]


Expression of Sox11 in adult neurogenic niches suggests a stage-specific role in adult neurogenesis

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 11 2009
Anja Haslinger
Abstract In the mammalian brain, neural stem and progenitor cells in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus generate new neurons throughout adulthood. The generation of new functional neurons is a complex process that is tightly controlled by extrinsic signals and that is characterized by stage-specific gene expression programs and cell biological processes. The transcription factors regulating such stage-specific developmental steps in adult neurogenesis are largely unknown. Here we report that Sox11, a member of the group C Sox transcription factor family, is prominently expressed in the neurogenic areas of the adult brain. Further analysis revealed that Sox11 expression is strictly confined to doublecortin-expressing neuronally committed precursors and immature neurons but that Sox11 is not expressed in non-committed Sox2-expressing precursor cells and mature neurons of the adult neurogenic lineage. Finally, overexpression of Sox11 promotes the generation of doublecortin-positive immature neurons from adult neural stem cells in vitro. These data indicate that Sox11 is involved in the transcriptional regulation of specific gene expression programs in adult neurogenesis at the stage of the immature neuron. [source]


Memory retrieval after contextual fear conditioning induces c-Fos and JunB expression in CA1 hippocampus

GENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 1 2003
T. Strekalova
Using specific polyclonal antisera against c-Fos, JunB, c-Jun and JunD, we tried to identify the candidate transcription factors of the immediate early gene family which may contribute to the molecular processes during contextual memory reconsolidation. For that purpose we analyzed the expression of these proteins in the hippocampus after contextual memory retrieval in a mouse model of fear conditioning. A single exposure to a foot shock of 0.8 mA was sufficient to induce robust contextual fear conditioning in C57Bl/6N mice. In these mice context dependent memory retrieval evoked a marked induction of c-Fos and JunB, but not of c-Jun and JunD, in pyramidal CA1 neurons of the dorsal hippocampus. In contrast, mice exposed and re-exposed only to the context, without foot shock, did not show behavioral signs of contextual fear conditioning and exhibited significantly less expression of c-Fos and JunB in CA1 neurons. Mice which received a foot shock but were not re-exposed to the context revealed no immediate early gene induction. These results demonstrate that contextual memory retrieval is associated with de novo synthesis of specific members of the Fos/Jun transcription factor family. Therefore we suggest that these genes may contribute to plasticity and reconsolidation accompanying the retrieval process. The specific activation of CA1 neurons during the retrieval of contextual fear associations supports the postulated concept of a mnemonic role of this hippocampal subsector during the retrieval of contextual informations. [source]


Cloning and characterization of Dorsal homologues in the hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus

INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2009
R. Ursic-Bedoya
Abstract Rhodnius prolixus is an ancient haematophagous hemipteran insect capable of mounting a powerful immune response. This response is transcriptionally regulated in part by transcription factors of the Rel/Nuclear Factor kappa B (Rel/NF-,B) family. We have cloned and characterized three members of this transcription factor family in this insect. Dorsal 1A is primarily expressed in early developmental stages. In contrast, dorsal 1B and 1C, both differentially spliced products of dorsal 1A, are expressed primarily in the adult fat body in response to septic injury, suggesting their exclusive role in immunity. Additionally, we identified putative ,B binding sites in the 5, upstream regions of target genes known to be involved in the innate immune response of insects. [source]


CPCR1, but not its interacting transcription factor AcFKH1, controls fungal arthrospore formation in Acremonium chrysogenum

MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2005
Birgit Hoff
Summary Fungal morphogenesis and secondary metabolism are frequently associated; however, the molecular determinants connecting both processes remain largely undefined. Here we demonstrate that CPCR1 (cephalosporin C regulator 1 from Acremonium chrysogenum), a member of the winged helix/regulator factor X (RFX) transcription factor family that regulates cephalosporin C biosynthesis, also controls morphological development in the ,-lactam producer A. chrysogenum. The use of a disruption strain, multicopy strains as well as several recombinant control strains revealed that CPCR1 is required for hyphal fragmentation, and thus the formation of arthrospores. In a ,cpcR1 disruption strain that exhibits only hyphal growth, the wild-type cpcR1 gene was able to restore arthrospore formation; a phenomenon not observed for ,cpcR1 derivatives or non-related genes. The intracellular expression of cpcR1, and control genes (pcbC, egfp) was determined by in vivo monitoring of fluorescent protein fusions. Further, the role of the forkhead transcription factor AcFKH1, which directly interacts with CPCR1, was studied by generating an Acfkh1 knockout strain. In contrast to CPCR1, AcFKH1 is not directly involved in the fragmentation of hyphae. Instead, the presence of AcFKH1 seems to be necessary for CPCR1 function in A. chrysogenum morphogenesis, as overexpression of a functional cpcR1 gene in a ,Acfkh1 background has no effect on arthrospore formation. Moreover, strains lacking Acfkh1 exhibit defects in cell separation, indicating an involvement of the forkhead transcription factor in mycelial growth of A. chrysogenum. Our data offer the potential to control fungal growth in biotechnical processes that require defined morphological stages for optimal production yields. [source]


The TEA/ATTS transcription factor CaTec1p regulates hyphal development and virulence in Candida albicans

MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2000
Anja Schweizer
The temporal and spatial expression of stage-specific genes during morphological development of fungi and higher eukaryotes is controlled by transcription factors. In this study, we report the cloning and functional analysis of the Candida albicans TEC1 (CaTEC1) gene, a new member of the TEA/ATTS family of transcription factors that regulates C. albicans virulence. The promoters of the type 4, 5 and 6 proteinase isogenes (SAP4,6) contain repetitive TEA/ATTS consensus sequence motifs. This finding suggests a possible role for a homologue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TEC1 during the activation of proteinase gene expression in C. albicans. CaTEC1 is predominantly expressed in the hyphal form of C. albicans. In vitro, serum-induced hyphal formation as well as evasion from M, after phagocytosis is suppressed in catec1/catec1 mutant cells. Furthermore, expression of the proteinase isogenes SAP4,6 is no longer inducible in these mutant cells. The deletion of the CaTEC1 gene attenuates virulence of C. albicans in a systemic model of murine candidiasis, although both mutant and revertant cells that were prepared from infected tissues or the vaginal mucosa grew in a hyphal morphology in vivo. CaTEC1 complements the pseudohyphal and invasive growth defect of haploid and diploid S. cerevisiae tec1/tec1 mutant cells and strongly activates the promoter of FLO11, a gene required for pseudohyphal growth. This study provides the first evidence pointing to an essential role for a member of the TEA/ATTS transcription factor family that had so far only been ascribed to function during development as a virulence regulator in microbial pathogenesis. [source]


MADS-Box Genes Controlling Flower Development in Rice

PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
F. Fornara
Abstract: The separation between monocot and dicot plants occurred about 120 - 180 million years ago and since then major morphological changes have led to the striking differences that can be observed today. To understand whether, despite these differences, the processes controlling flower development are fundamentally comparable in dicot and monocot species, it is necessary to perform comparative studies. However, until recently flower development has been studied mainly in dicot plant species. Genetic and molecular analyses of two dicot model species, Arabidopsis thaliana and Antirrhinum majus, led to the formulation of the ABC model of flower development that describes how the combined activities of three classes of genes are required to drive flower organ development. This model has recently been extended by the inclusion of two other gene classes, namely D and E, which are involved in ovule development, and petal, stamen and carpel development, respectively. Most of the A, B, C, D and E genes identified so far have been shown to encode MADS-box transcription factors. In rice a number of regulatory genes belonging to the MADS-box transcription factor family have been cloned in the last few years and the functions of some of them have been investigated in detail. Here we review the current state of knowledge on rice flower development and focus on MADS-box genes that determine floral organ identity in this species. We compare results obtained in rice with the information known for Arabidopsis and the differences between these two species are discussed. [source]


ANAC012, a member of the plant-specific NAC transcription factor family, negatively regulates xylary fiber development in Arabidopsis thaliana

THE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 6 2007
Jae-Heung Ko
Summary Vascular plants evolved to have xylem that provides physical support for their growing body and serves as a conduit for water and nutrient transport. In a previous study, we used comparative-transcriptome analyses to select a group of genes that were upregulated in xylem of Arabidopsis plants undergoing secondary growth. Subsequent analyses identified a plant-specific NAC-domain transcription factor gene (ANAC012) as a candidate for genetic regulation of xylem formation. Promoter-GUS analyses showed that ANAC012 expression was preferentially localized in the (pro)cambium region of inflorescence stem and root. Using yeast transactivation analyses, we confirmed the function of ANAC012 as a transcriptional activator, and identified an activation domain in the C terminus. Ectopic overexpression of ANAC012 in Arabidopsis (35S::ANAC012 plants) dramatically suppressed secondary wall deposition in the xylary fiber and slightly increased cell-wall thickness in the xylem vessels. Cellulose compositions of the cell wall were decreased in the inflorescent stems and roots of 35S::ANAC012 plants, probably resulting from defects in xylary fiber formation. Our data suggest that ANAC012 may act as a negative regulator of secondary wall thickening in xylary fibers. [source]


A new member of the Arabidopsis WRKY transcription factor family, AtWRKY6, is associated with both senescence- and defence-related processes

THE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 2 2001
Silke Robatzek
Summary WRKY proteins constitute a large family of plant-specific transcription factors whose precise functions have yet to be elucidated. Here we show that expression of one representative in Arabidopsis, AtWRKY6, is influenced by several external and internal signals often involved in triggering senescence processes and plant defence responses. Progressive 5, deletions of the AtWRKY6 promoter allowed separation of defined regions responsible for the expression in distinct organs or upon pathogen challenge. Nuclear localization of AtWRKY6 was demonstrated; protein truncations and gain-of-function studies enabled delineation of a region harbouring a novel type of functional nuclear localization signal (NLS). [source]