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Mouse pigpen encodes a nuclear protein whose expression is developmentally regulated during craniofacial
Sylvia R Alappat1, Meifeng Zhang, Xiang Zhao
1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. salappa@tulane.edu
Summary
Mouse Pigpen protein regulates cell proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development. Its expression is controlled by growth factors, suggesting a role in organogenesis and tissue formation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Pigpen is a nuclear protein involved in cell proliferation.
- Its expression decreases as cells differentiate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulation of mouse Pigpen expression during embryogenesis.
- To understand Pigpen's role in organ development.
Main Methods:
- Cloning of mouse Pigpen homolog.
- In situ hybridization for expression patterns.
- In vitro assays for gene regulation.
- Immunocytochemistry for protein localization.
- CAT reporter assays for transcriptional activity.
Main Results:
- Pigpen expression is spatially restricted in developing organs like teeth, eyes, vibrissae, lungs, and kidneys.
- Fibroblast growth factor-8 maintains Pigpen expression in mandibular mesenchyme.
- Bone morphogenetic protein-4 negatively regulates Pigpen expression during tooth development.
- Mouse Pigpen protein is found in the cytoplasm and nuclear granules.
- The N-terminus of mouse Pigpen functions as a transcriptional activation domain (TAD).
Conclusions:
- Mouse Pigpen acts as a transcriptional activator in vivo.
- Pigpen responds to specific growth factor signals.
- Pigpen likely regulates proliferation and differentiation during mouse organogenesis.