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Published on: December 19, 2018
Comparative analysis of MTF-1 binding sites between human and mouse
Minghui Wang1, Fan Yang, Xiangzhe Zhang
1Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Summary
This study identifies new direct target genes for the transcription factor MTF-1 using computational methods. Interspecies comparison reveals conserved and unique metal response elements, aiding research into diseases like Wilson disease.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- MTF-1 is a key transcription factor regulating cellular responses to heavy metals and stress.
- Limited knowledge exists regarding MTF-1's direct target genes and the biological networks it controls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To computationally identify direct target genes of the transcription factor MTF-1 in human and mouse.
- To compare conserved and unique characteristics of MTF-1 binding sites between species.
- To investigate potential MTF-1 targets involved in lipid metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Generation of literature-based positional weight matrices (PWM).
- Log-likelihood scoring of candidate binding sites (BSs).
- Interspecies comparison of MREs and expression analysis.
Main Results:
- Identified a set of target genes conserved between human and mouse.
- Observed significant differences in MRE numbers and positions between species.
- Proposed HMGCR and CYP51A as conserved MTF-1 targets regulating lipid metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Computational analysis successfully identified conserved MTF-1 target genes.
- Interspecies comparison provides insights into MTF-1 regulation.
- Findings may inform the use of mouse models for studying human Wilson disease.
