Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
14:47
Identification of MyoD Interactome Using Tandem Affinity Purification Coupled to Mass Spectrometry
Published on: May 17, 2016
Regulating a master regulator: establishing tissue-specific gene expression in skeletal muscle
Arif Aziz1, Qi-Cai Liu, F Jeffrey Dilworth
1Sprott Center for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, CA.
Epigenetics
|August 19, 2010
Summary
MyoD master regulator of muscle genes is fine-tuned by Polycomb and Trithorax proteins. Mef2d, Six4, and p38α MAPK coordinate to activate MyoD target genes during muscle differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- Muscle Development
Background:
- MyoD is a key regulator of skeletal muscle gene expression.
- MyoD binds numerous genomic sites but activates only a subset of genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms controlling MyoD-mediated gene expression.
- To investigate the roles of Polycomb and Trithorax Group proteins in MyoD function.
Main Methods:
- ChIP-Seq analysis to identify MyoD binding sites.
- Gene expression studies focusing on the muscle-specific myog gene.
Main Results:
- Polycomb and Trithorax Group proteins regulate MyoD's gene activation capacity.
- Mef2d and Six4 recruit Trithorax proteins (Ash2L/MLL2, UTX) to MyoD-bound promoters, overcoming Polycomb repression.
- p38α MAPK signaling modulates Ash2L/MLL2 and Mef2d interaction, fine-tuning gene expression.
Conclusions:
- Mef2d, Six4, and p38α MAPK act as upstream regulators of MyoD.
- These factors coordinate to control the precise activation of MyoD target genes during myogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...
01:27Constitutive and Regulated Gene Expression
Gene expression in prokaryotes is governed by constitutive and regulated systems, allowing cells to balance the production of essential proteins with adaptive responses to environmental changes.Constitutive Gene ExpressionConstitutive, or housekeeping, genes are continuously expressed as they encode proteins vital for fundamental cellular processes. These include enzymes for glycolysis, ribosomal components for protein synthesis, and proteins involved in DNA replication. Their constant...
01:30General Transcription Factors
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
02:24Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...