Article Abstract:
A study was conducted on the cis-regulatory elements governing Spec gene expression in Spec2a gene fragments in which repetitive sequence element sequences were joined to an SV40 minimal promoter. The enhancer in the promoter was found to give preferential aboral ectoderm expression to a lacZ reporter gene and contained a A/T rich palindromic element which binds to the 45-kDa A/T palindrome binding protein (A/TBP). The specificity of this nuclear protein was indicative of a relationship with bicoid-class homeodomain proteins. It was suggested that A/TBP is partly responsible for Spec2a gene activation in aboral ectoderm cells.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
Researchers examined the mechanism of negative spatial regulation of the SM30-alpha gene in sea urchin embryo. Assays of deletion constructs from the upstream region of the gene indicated the presence of repressive elements in the region, while in situ hybridization analysis showed that deletion of this region prevents expression of the gene. Mobility shift assays of the elements in the region showed that competitor reporter genes expressed in inappropriate cells suppress the expression of the SM30-alpha gene.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
The discovery of MyoD and related factors has led to a number of developments in research on molecular circuitry controlling skeletal muscle growth. In turn, this has resulted in the elucidation of the important role of the myogenic basic-helix-loop-helix or bHLH factors in muscle development in vertebrate organisms. It has likewise raised interesting points concerning the evolution of myogenic regulatory mechanisms.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: