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Updated: May 22, 2026

Development and Application of Rapamycin-regulated Tyrosine Phosphatases
Published on: September 6, 2024
The Capicua repressor--a general sensor of RTK signaling in development and disease
Gerardo Jiménez1, Stanislav Y Shvartsman, Ze'ev Paroush
1Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats and Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona-CSIC, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain. gjcbmc@ibmb.csic.es
Abstract:
Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling pathways control multiple cellular decisions in metazoans, often by regulating the expression of downstream genes. In Drosophila melanogaster and other systems, E-twenty-six (ETS) transcription factors are considered to be the predominant nuclear effectors of RTK pathways. Here, we highlight recent progress in identifying the HMG-box protein Capicua (CIC) as a key sensor of RTK signaling in both Drosophila and mammals. Several studies have shown that CIC functions as a repressor of RTK-responsive genes, keeping them silent in the absence of signaling. Following the activation of RTK signaling, CIC repression is relieved, and this allows the expression of the targeted gene in response to local or ubiquitous activators. This regulatory switch is essential for several RTK responses in Drosophila, from the determination of cell fate to cell proliferation. Furthermore, increasing evidence supports the notion that this mechanism is conserved in mammals, where CIC has been implicated in cancer and neurodegeneration. In addition to summarizing our current knowledge on CIC, we also discuss the implications of these findings for our understanding of RTK signaling specificity in different biological processes.
Insights
Capicua (CIC) acts as a crucial sensor for receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling. This protein represses RTK-responsive genes until signaling activates them, controlling cell fate and proliferation in Drosophila and mammals.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathways regulate gene expression for cellular decisions.
- E-twenty-six (ETS) transcription factors are known RTK pathway effectors.
- The role of HMG-box protein Capicua (CIC) in RTK signaling requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of Capicua (CIC) as a key sensor of RTK signaling.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which CIC regulates RTK-responsive genes.
- To discuss the conserved function and implications of CIC in Drosophila and mammals.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies on Capicua (CIC) function.
- Analysis of CIC's role as a repressor of RTK-responsive genes.
- Comparative analysis of CIC function in Drosophila and mammalian systems.
Main Results:
- Capicua (CIC) functions as a repressor of RTK-responsive genes.
- CIC repression is relieved upon RTK signaling activation, enabling gene expression.
- This regulatory switch is vital for RTK responses including cell fate determination and proliferation.
- Evidence suggests conserved CIC function in mammals, linked to cancer and neurodegeneration.
Conclusions:
- Capicua (CIC) is a conserved key sensor of RTK signaling.
- CIC's mechanism of gene repression and release is crucial for RTK pathway outcomes.
- Understanding CIC offers insights into RTK signaling specificity and diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration.
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