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Klf4 could be activated by Pou5f3/Stat3 to induce the expression of Nanog in Japanese flounder
Yan Sun1, Jinxiang Liu1, Bo Wang1
1Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Abstract:
Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) is a zinc finger protein transcription factor of the KLF family and plays an important role in various important biological process, including cell proliferation, differentiation, embryonic development, and cancer formation. In this study, the full length Klf4 cDNA sequence of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) was analyzed. Phylogenetic, gene structure, and synteny analysis revealed that PoKlf4 was conserved to that of teleost. Transcript of PoKlf4 showed that its expression was high during early embryonic development but reduced when gastrulation began, thus indicating its possible role in embryonic development. Tissue expression pattern showed that PoKlf4 was expressed higher in ovaries than in testes. ISH revealed that PoKlf4 was also expressed in spermatogonium, oocytes, and oogonia and in high levels in epithelial and lamellar epithelial cells of gills. Functional characterization of PoKlf4 gene promoter provided valuable information in understanding the molecular regulatory mechanisms of PoKlf4 gene. PoKlf4 could up-regulate Nanog, a gene that prevents ES cells from differentiating and being up-regulated by Pou5f3 and Stat3 genes that could maintain ES cell self-renewal. These results suggested that PoKlf4 maintains the pluripotency of ES cells. This study provides valuable information in exploring the regulatory network of PoKlf4 and lays the foundation for further research on the function of this gene.
Insights
Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) in Japanese flounder maintains embryonic development and stem cell pluripotency. This transcription factor is crucial for cell renewal and differentiation, offering insights into gene regulation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) is a key transcription factor involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, embryonic development, and cancer.
- Understanding Klf4's role in non-model organisms like Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) is crucial for comparative genomics and evolutionary studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the full-length cDNA sequence of Japanese flounder Klf4 (PoKlf4).
- To investigate the evolutionary conservation, gene structure, and expression patterns of PoKlf4.
- To explore the functional role of PoKlf4 in maintaining stem cell pluripotency.
Main Methods:
- Sequence analysis (phylogenetic, gene structure, synteny).
- Gene expression analysis (transcriptome, in situ hybridization - ISH).
- Promoter functional characterization and analysis of regulatory interactions (Nanog, Pou5f3, Stat3).
Main Results:
- PoKlf4 sequence and structure are conserved in teleosts.
- PoKlf4 expression is high during early embryonic development and in ovaries, with specific expression in germ cells and gill epithelial cells.
- PoKlf4 up-regulates Nanog and is potentially regulated by Pou5f3 and Stat3, suggesting a role in maintaining stem cell pluripotency.
Conclusions:
- PoKlf4 plays a significant role in Japanese flounder embryonic development and germ cell development.
- PoKlf4 contributes to maintaining the pluripotency of stem cells.
- This study provides a foundation for further research into the regulatory network and functions of PoKlf4.
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