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Factor Networks (factor + network)
Kinds of Factor Networks Selected AbstractsDifferential effects of Mxi1-SR, and Mxi1-SR, in Myc antagonismFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 17 2007Claire Dugast-Darzacq Mxi1 belongs to the Myc-Max-Mad transcription factor network. Two Mxi1 protein isoforms, Mxi1-SR, and Mxi1-SR,, have been described as sharing many biological properties. Here, we assign differential functions to these isoforms with respect to two distinct levels of Myc antagonism. Unlike Mxi1-SR,, Mxi1-SR, is not a potent suppressor of the cellular transformation activity of Myc. Furthermore, although Mxi1-SR, exhibits a repressive effect on the MYC promoter in transient expression assays, Mxi1-SR, activates this promoter. A specific domain of Mxi1-SR, contributes to these differences. Moreover, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase interacts with Mxi1-SR, and enhances its ability to activate the Myc promoter. Our findings suggest that Mxi1 gains functional complexity by encoding isoforms with shared and distinct activities. [source] Chromatin immunoprecipitation-mediated target identification proved aquaporin 5 is regulated directly by estrogen in the uterusGENES TO CELLS, Issue 10 2006Mika Kobayashi Estrogens play a central role in the reproduction of vertebrates and affect a variety of biological processes. The major target molecules of estrogens are nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs), which have been studied extensively at the molecular level. In contrast, our knowledge of the genes that are regulated directly by ERs remains limited, especially at the level of the whole organism rather than cultured cells. In order to identify genes that are regulated directly by ERs in vivo, we used estrogen treated mouse uterus and performed chromatin immunoprecipitation. Sequence analysis of a precipitated DNA fragment enabled alignment with the mouse genomic sequence and revealed that the promoter region of the gene encoding aquaporin 5 (AQP5) was precipitated with antibody against ER,. Quantitative PCR and DNA microarray analyses confirmed that AQP5 is activated soon after administration of estrogen. In addition, the promoter region of AQP5 contained a functional estrogen response element that was activated directly by estrogen. Although several AQP genes are expressed in the uterus, only direct activation of AQP5 could be detected following treatment with estrogen. This chromatin immunopreciptation-mediated target identification may be applicable to the study of other transcription factor networks. [source] Second chromosome genes required for heart development in Drosophila melanogasterGENESIS: THE JOURNAL OF GENETICS AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 10 2007Ye Tao Abstract Heart development is an evolutionarily conserved process. The cardiac organ of Drosophila melanogaster is the dorsal vessel, a linear contractile tissue with cellular and morphogenetic similarities to the primitive heart tube formed at an early stage of vertebrate heart formation. Abundant evidence shows comparable intercellular signaling pathways and transcription factor networks are utilized in Drosophila and vertebrates, to specify cardiac progenitor cells and instruct their differentiation and function in forming the mature heart. With this proven conservation in mind, we screened the second chromosome of Drosophila for genetic intervals that harbor additional loci required for normal dorsal vessel morphogenesis. Our studies identified numerous regions, that when deleted, culminated in dorsal vessels with abnormal cell numbers and/or structural properties. Certain of the deficiency intervals were further characterized to identify individual genes essential for proper cardiac organ formation. Our analyses identified eight genes of diverse functions that are needed for dorsal vessel development. Several of these sequences have known vertebrate homologues, further supporting a conserved genetic basis for heart formation in Drosophila and higher eukaryotes. genesis 45:607,617, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] New light on the biology and developmental potential of haematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cellsJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2009M. Sigvardsson Abstract. Even though stem cells have been identified in several tissues, one of the best understood somatic stem cells is the bone marrow residing haematopoietic stem cell (HSC). These cells are able to generate all types of blood cells found in the periphery over the lifetime of an animal, making them one of the most profound examples of tissue-restricted stem cells. HSC therapy also represents one of the absolutely most successful cell-based therapies applied both in the treatment of haematological disorders and cancer. However, to fully explore the clinical potential of HSCs we need to understand the molecular regulation of cell maturation and lineage commitment. The extensive research effort invested in this area has resulted in a rapid development of the understanding of the relationship between different blood cell lineages and increased understanding for how a balanced composition of blood cells can be generated. In this review, several of the basic features of HSCs, as well as their multipotent and lineage-restricted offspring, are addressed, providing a current view of the haematopoietic development tree. Some of the basic mechanisms believed to be involved in lineage restriction events including activities of permissive and instructive external signals are also discussed, besides transcription factor networks and epigenetic alterations to provide an up-to-date view of early haematopoiesis. [source] |