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Lineage context switches the function of a C. elegans Pax6 homolog in determining a neuronal fate.
- Source :
-
Development (09501991) . Apr2019, Vol. 146 Issue 8, p1-13. 13p. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
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 promoterselection 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09501991
- Volume :
- 146
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Development (09501991)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 135922203
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.168153