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Foxd3 mediates zebrafish myf5 expression during early somitogenesis
Hung-Chieh Lee1, Hsing-Yen Huang, Cheng-Yung Lin
1Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
Developmental Biology
|January 3, 2006
Summary
Forkhead box d3 (Foxd3) directly binds to and activates the myf5 gene, crucial for muscle development. Pax3 induces Foxd3, which in turn regulates myf5 expression during embryogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Myf5 is a key transcription factor for muscle differentiation, essential during embryonic development.
- The specific transcription factors regulating myf5 cis-elements remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify transcription factors that bind to and regulate the myf5 gene.
- To elucidate the role of Forkhead box d3 (Foxd3) in myf5 gene regulation during embryogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Yeast one-hybrid assay to identify DNA-binding proteins.
- Dual-luciferase assay to measure promoter activity.
- Morpholino-based knockdown of foxd3 and pax3 in zebrafish embryos.
Main Results:
- Forkhead box d3 (Foxd3) specifically binds to the -82/-62 cis-element of the myf5 gene.
- Foxd3 robustly transactivates the myf5 promoter.
- Knockdown of foxd3 leads to down-regulation of myf5 in somites and adaxial cells.
- Pax3 induces foxd3 expression, which subsequently regulates myf5 expression.
Conclusions:
- Foxd3 is a novel regulator of myf5 gene expression, essential for muscle development in somites and adaxial cells.
- The Pax3-Foxd3 pathway plays a critical role in initiating myf5 expression during embryogenesis.