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Chorion gene activation and repression is dependent on BmC/EBP expression and binding to cognate cis-elements
Argyris Papantonis1, Sissy Sourmeli, Rena Lecanidou
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Kouponia, 15701 Athens, Attiki, Greece.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|March 8, 2008
Summary
This study reveals that the C/EBP transcription factor plays a dual role in silkmoth chorion gene regulation. It acts as both an activator and repressor during choriogenesis, impacting gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Silkmoth chorion gene promoters contain cis-elements, with C/EBP binding sites being predominant.
- The sequence composition and arrangement of these C/EBP sites differ across promoters with varying developmental specificities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occupancy of C/EBP binding sites by the BmC/EBP transcription factor in silkmoth ovarian follicular cells.
- To elucidate the role of BmC/EBP in regulating chorion gene expression during development.
Main Methods:
- Modified Southwestern assays were employed to examine protein-DNA interactions.
- Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were adapted for silkmoth ovarian follicular cells.
Main Results:
- BmC/EBP binding correlated with the transcriptional activation stages of the studied genes.
- BmC/EBP was re-occupied on promoter sequences even after gene repression.
- Suppression of BmC/EBP transcription led to the de-regulation of chorion gene expression.
Conclusions:
- BmC/EBP exhibits a biphasic function, potentially acting as both an activator and repressor in silkmoth choriogenesis.
- These findings highlight the complex regulatory role of BmC/EBP in chorion gene expression during development.
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