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Expression of novel ING variants is regulated by thyroid hormone in the Xenopus laevis tadpole

M J Wagner1, M Gogela-Spehar, R C Skirrow

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3P6, Canada.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|October 16, 2001
PubMed

Insights

The ING family of genes, including ING2, plays a role in cell death. Thyroid hormone (TH) regulates ING gene expression and protein levels during amphibian metamorphosis, influencing cell fate.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The ING (Inhibitor of Growth) gene family, including ING1 and ING2, is implicated in cell proliferation and apoptosis.
  • ING proteins feature a plant homeodomain finger, suggesting a role in modulating transcription factor pathways.
  • The cellular functions and regulation of ING family members are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of ING family members in tissue-specific cellular responses during amphibian metamorphosis.
  • To explore the relationship between thyroid hormone (TH) signaling and ING gene expression and protein levels.
  • To elucidate the involvement of ING proteins in hormone-mediated apoptosis and cell fate determination.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of Xenopus laevis ING2.
  • Analysis of ING transcript levels in response to TH treatment using quantitative methods.
  • Western blot analysis to assess tissue-specific ING protein expression and isoform patterns.
  • Organ culture experiments using Xenopus tail explants to study TH-induced apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • Xenopus laevis ING2 was isolated, and its transcript levels were found to increase upon TH treatment.
  • Evidence for differentially expressed ING splice variants in tissues with distinct TH-induced developmental fates was found.
  • TH treatment led to an accumulation of ING proteins in tadpole tails, but not in legs.
  • TH-induced ING protein accumulation in tail organ cultures was inhibited by apoptosis inhibitors.

Conclusions:

  • This study establishes the first link between ING gene expression and a hormone-regulated, transcription factor-mediated apoptotic response.
  • ING family members may be involved in mediating the effects of thyroid hormone on cell fate during development.
  • The findings suggest a crucial role for ING proteins in the complex processes of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis during amphibian metamorphosis.

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