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Grill S, Riley A, Selvaraj M, Lehmann R. HP6/Umbrea is dispensable for viability and fertility, suggesting essentiality of newly evolved genes is rare. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2309478120. [PMID: 37725638 PMCID: PMC10523450 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309478120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The newly evolved gene Heterochromatin Protein 6 (HP6), which has been previously classified as essential, challenged the dogma that functions required for viability are only seen in genes with a long evolutionary history. Based on previous RNA-sequencing analysis in Drosophila germ cells, we asked whether HP6 might play a role in germline development. Surprisingly, we found that CRISPR-generated HP6 mutants are viable and fertile. Using previously generated mutants, we identified an independent lethal allele and an RNAi off-target effect that prevented accurate interpretation of HP6 essentiality. By reviewing existing data, we found that the vast majority of young genes that were previously classified as essential were indeed viable when tested with orthologous methods. Together, our data call into question the frequency with which newly evolved genes gain essential functions and suggest that using multiple independent genetic methods is essential when probing the functions of young genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherilyn Grill
- Department of Biology, Whitehead Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Ashley Riley
- Department of Biology, Whitehead Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Monica Selvaraj
- Department of Biology, Whitehead Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Ruth Lehmann
- Department of Biology, Whitehead Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02142
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2
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Aspatwar A, Tolvanen MEE, Barker H, Syrjänen L, Valanne S, Purmonen S, Waheed A, Sly WS, Parkkila S. Carbonic Anhydrases in Metazoan Model Organisms: Molecules, Mechanisms, and Physiology. Physiol Rev 2022; 102:1327-1383. [PMID: 35166161 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00018.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past three decades, mice, zebrafish, fruit flies, and Caenorhabditis elegans have been the primary model organisms used for the study of various biological phenomena. These models have also been adopted and developed to investigate the physiological roles of carbonic anhydrases (CAs) and carbonic anhydrase-related proteins (CARPs). These proteins belong to eight CA families and are identified by Greek letters: α, β, γ, δ, ζ, η, θ, and ι. Studies using model organisms have focused on two CA families, α-CAs and β-CAs, which are expressed in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms with species-specific distribution patterns and unique functions. This review covers the biological roles of CAs and CARPs in light of investigations performed in model organisms. Functional studies demonstrate that CAs are not only linked to the regulation of pH homeostasis, the classical role of CAs but also contribute to a plethora of previously undescribed functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Aspatwar
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Harlan Barker
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Fimlab Ltd and TAYS Cancer Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Leo Syrjänen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Susanna Valanne
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Sami Purmonen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Abdul Waheed
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Edward A. Doisy Research Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - William S Sly
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Edward A. Doisy Research Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Seppo Parkkila
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Fimlab Ltd and TAYS Cancer Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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3
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Yamaguchi M, Lee IS, Jantrapirom S, Suda K, Yoshida H. Drosophila models to study causative genes for human rare intractable neurological diseases. Exp Cell Res 2021; 403:112584. [PMID: 33812867 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila is emerging as a convenient model for investigating human diseases. Functional homologues of almost 75% of human disease-related genes are found in Drosophila. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative disease that causes defects in motoneurons. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most commonly found inherited neuropathies affecting both motor and sensory neurons. No effective therapy has been established for either of these diseases. In this review, after overviewing ALS, Drosophila models targeting several ALS-causing genes, including TDP-43, FUS and Ubiquilin2, are described with their genetic interactants. Then, after overviewing CMT, examples of Drosophila models targeting several CMT-causing genes, including mitochondria-related genes and FIG 4, are also described with their genetic interactants. In addition, we introduce Sotos syndrome caused by mutations in the epigenetic regulator gene NSD1. Lastly, several genes and pathways that commonly interact with ALS- and/or CMT-causing genes are described. In the case of ALS and CMT that have many causative genes, it may be not practical to perform gene therapy for each of the many disease-causing genes. The possible uses of the common genes and pathways as novel diagnosis markers and effective therapeutic targets are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masamitsu Yamaguchi
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan; Kansai Gakken Laboratory, Kankyo Eisei Yakuhin Co. Ltd., Seika-cho, Kyoto, 619-0237, Japan
| | - Im-Soon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Salinee Jantrapirom
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Kojiro Suda
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan
| | - Hideki Yoshida
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan.
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Yamaguchi M, Omori K, Asada S, Yoshida H. Epigenetic Regulation of ALS and CMT: A Lesson from Drosophila Models. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020491. [PMID: 33419039 PMCID: PMC7825332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the third most common neurodegenerative disorder and is sometimes associated with frontotemporal dementia. Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathies causing the slow progression of sensory and distal muscle defects. Of note, the severity and progression of CMT symptoms markedly vary. The phenotypic heterogeneity of ALS and CMT suggests the existence of modifiers that determine disease characteristics. Epigenetic regulation of biological functions via gene expression without alterations in the DNA sequence may be an important factor. The methylation of DNA, noncoding RNA, and post-translational modification of histones are the major epigenetic mechanisms. Currently, Drosophila is emerging as a useful ALS and CMT model. In this review, we summarize recent studies linking ALS and CMT to epigenetic regulation with a strong emphasis on approaches using Drosophila models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masamitsu Yamaguchi
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (K.O.); (S.A.)
- Kansai Gakken Laboratory, Kankyo Eisei Yakuhin Co. Ltd., Seika-cho, Kyoto 619-0237, Japan
- Correspondence: (M.Y.); (H.Y.)
| | - Kentaro Omori
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (K.O.); (S.A.)
| | - Satoshi Asada
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (K.O.); (S.A.)
| | - Hideki Yoshida
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (K.O.); (S.A.)
- Correspondence: (M.Y.); (H.Y.)
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5
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DREF Genetically Counteracts Mi-2 and Caf1 to Regulate Adult Stem Cell Maintenance. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008187. [PMID: 31226128 PMCID: PMC6619835 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Active adult stem cells maintain a bipotential state with progeny able to either self-renew or initiate differentiation depending on extrinsic signals from the surrounding microenvironment. However, the intrinsic gene regulatory networks and chromatin states that allow adult stem cells to make these cell fate choices are not entirely understood. Here we show that the transcription factor DNA Replication-related Element Factor (DREF) regulates adult stem cell maintenance in the Drosophila male germline. A temperature-sensitive allele of DREF described in this study genetically separated a role for DREF in germline stem cell self-renewal from the general roles of DREF in cell proliferation. The DREF temperature-sensitive allele caused defects in germline stem cell self-renewal but allowed viability and division of germline stem cells as well as cell viability, growth and division of somatic cyst stem cells in the testes and cells in the Drosophila eye. Germline stem cells mutant for the temperature sensitive DREF allele exhibited lower activation of a TGF-beta reporter, and their progeny turned on expression of the differentiation factor Bam prematurely. Results of genetic interaction analyses revealed that Mi-2 and Caf1/p55, components of the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex, genetically antagonize the role of DREF in germline stem cell maintenance. Taken together, these data suggest that DREF contributes to intrinsic components of the germline stem cell regulatory network that maintains competence to self-renew. Many adult tissues are maintained throughout life by the dual ability of adult stem cells to produce progeny that either self-renew or differentiate to replace specialized cells lost to turnover or damage. Although signals from the surrounding microenvironment have been shown to regulate the choice between self-renewal and onset of differentiation, the intrinsic gene regulatory programs that set up and maintain this bipotential state are not well understood. In this report we describe antagonistic components of an intrinsic stem cell program important for maintaining the balance between self-renewal and differentiation in Drosophila male germline adult stem cell lineage. We identified a temperature-sensitive mutant in the transcription factor DNA Replication-related Element Factor (DREF) gene that disrupts the ability of germline stem cells to self-renew, but not stem cell viability, ability to divide or differentiate under the same conditions. DREF mutant germline stem cells showed defects in the TGF-beta signaling pathway, a pathway that is critical for maintaining the stem cell population. Genetic interaction analyses revealed that Mi-2 and Caf1/p55, components of the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase complex genetically antagonize the role of DREF in germline stem cell maintenance. We propose that DREF contributes to a transcriptional environment necessary for maintaining a bi-potential stem cell state able to properly respond to extrinsic niche signals.
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Tue NT, Yoshioka Y, Mizoguchi M, Yoshida H, Zurita M, Yamaguchi M. DREF plays multiple roles during Drosophila development. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2017; 1860:705-712. [PMID: 28363744 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2017.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
DREF was originally identified as a transcription factor that coordinately regulates the expression of DNA replication- and proliferation-related genes in Drosophila. Subsequent studies demonstrated that DREF is involved in tumor suppressor pathways including p53 and Hippo signaling. DREF also regulates the expression of genes encoding components of the JNK and EGFR pathways during Drosophila development. DREF itself is under the control of the TOR pathway during cell and tissue growth responding to nutrition. Recent studies revealed that DREF plays a role in chromatin organization including insulator function, chromatin remodeling, and telomere maintenance. DREF is also involved in the regulation of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis, linking it to cellular proliferation. Thus, DREF is now emerging as not only a transcription factor, but also a multi-functional protein. In this review, we summarize current advances in studies on the novel functions of Drosophila DREF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Trong Tue
- Gene-Protein Research Center, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Yasuhide Yoshioka
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Setsunan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Megumi Mizoguchi
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Hideki Yoshida
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; The Center for Advanced Insect Research, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Mario Zurita
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo Y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, 62250 Cuernavaca, Mor., Mexico
| | - Masamitsu Yamaguchi
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; The Center for Advanced Insect Research, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan.
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8
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The Hippo pathway as a target of the Drosophila DRE/DREF transcriptional regulatory pathway. Sci Rep 2014; 4:7196. [PMID: 25424907 PMCID: PMC4244634 DOI: 10.1038/srep07196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The DRE/DREF transcriptional regulatory system has been demonstrated to activate a wide variety of genes with various functions. In Drosophila, the Hippo pathway is known to suppress cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through inactivation of Yorkie, a transcription co-activator. In the present study, we found that half dose reduction of the hippo (hpo) gene induces ectopic DNA synthesis in eye discs that is suppressed by overexpression of DREF. Half reduction of the hpo gene dose reduced apoptosis in DREF-overexpressing flies. Consistent with these observations, overexpression of DREF increased the levels of hpo and phosphorylated Yorkie in eye discs. Interestingly, the diap1-lacZ reporter was seen to be significantly decreased by overexpression of DREF. Luciferase reporter assays in cultured S2 cells revealed that one of two DREs identified in the hpo gene promoter region was responsible for promoter activity in S2 cells. Furthermore, endogenous hpo mRNA was reduced in DREF knockdown S2 cells, and chromatin immnunoprecipitation assays with anti-DREF antibodies proved that DREF binds specifically to the hpo gene promoter region containing DREs in vivo. Together, these results indicate that the DRE/DREF pathway is required for transcriptional activation of the hpo gene to positively control Hippo pathways.
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9
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Fernández-Moreno MA, Hernández R, Adán C, Roberti M, Bruni F, Polosa PL, Cantatore P, Matsushima Y, Kaguni LS, Garesse R. Drosophila nuclear factor DREF regulates the expression of the mitochondrial DNA helicase and mitochondrial transcription factor B2 but not the mitochondrial translation factor B1. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2013; 1829:1136-46. [PMID: 23916463 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2013.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
DREF [DRE (DNA replication-related element)-binding factor] controls the transcription of numerous genes in Drosophila, many involved in nuclear DNA (nDNA) replication and cell proliferation, three in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication and two in mtDNA transcription termination. In this work, we have analysed the involvement of DREF in the expression of the known remaining genes engaged in the minimal mtDNA replication (d-mtDNA helicase) and transcription (the activator d-mtTFB2) machineries and of a gene involved in mitochondrial mRNA translation (d-mtTFB1). We have identified their transcriptional initiation sites and DRE sequences in their promoter regions. Gel-shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrate that DREF interacts in vitro and in vivo with the d-mtDNA helicase and d-mtTFB2, but not with the d-mtTFB1 promoters. Transient transfection assays in Drosophila S2 cells with mutated DRE motifs and truncated promoter regions show that DREF controls the transcription of d-mtDNA helicase and d-mtTFB2, but not that of d-mtTFB1. RNA interference of DREF in S2 cells reinforces these results showing a decrease in the mRNA levels of d-mtDNA helicase and d-mtTFB2 and no changes in those of the d-mtTFB1. These results link the genetic regulation of nuclear DNA replication with the genetic control of mtDNA replication and transcriptional activation in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Fernández-Moreno
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" UAM-CSIC and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBERER), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain, c/ Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre (i+12), Madrid, Spain.
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Park JS, Choi YJ, Thao DTP, Kim YS, Yamaguchi M, Yoo MA. DREF is involved in the steroidogenesis via regulation of shadow gene. Am J Cancer Res 2012; 2:714-725. [PMID: 23226617 PMCID: PMC3512185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/21/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila DNA replication-related element-binding factor (dDREF) has been identified as a master regulator of cell proliferation-related genes via its binding to the DRE sequence, 5'-TATCGATA. However, the biological roles of DREF are still to be clarified. Here, we show that DREF mutant females have steroid hormone ecdysone-deficient phenotypes, such as the loss of vitellogenic egg chambers. Furthermore, DREF knockdown in the prothoracic gland of larva prevented pupation and this was rescued via 20-hydroxyecdysone treatment. We found a DRE-like sequence (-625 to -632) in the 5'-flanking region of the Drosophila shadow gene, which catalyzes the conversion of 2-deoxyecdysone to ecdysone, and demonstrated that shadow is a novel target gene of dDREF using quantitative RT-PCR and Chip assays. In addition, we show that the level of dDREF protein correlated with age-related changes in the level of shadow mRNA in the ovaries of wild-type flies. Taken together, our data indicate that dDREF plays a key role in steroid synthesis via regulation of the shadow gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joung-Sun Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National UniversityBusan 609-735, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Jeong Choi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National UniversityBusan 609-735, Republic of Korea
| | - Dang Thi Phuong Thao
- Department of Applied Biology, Insect Biomedical Research Center, Kyoto Institute of TechnologyMatsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
- Present address: Department of Molecular and Environmental Biotechnology, University of Science, Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | - Young-Shin Kim
- Research Institute of Genetic Engineering, Pusan National UniversityBusan 609-735, Republic of Korea
| | - Masamitsu Yamaguchi
- Department of Applied Biology, Insect Biomedical Research Center, Kyoto Institute of TechnologyMatsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Mi-Ae Yoo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National UniversityBusan 609-735, Republic of Korea
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DREF is required for cell and organismal growth in Drosophila and functions downstream of the nutrition/TOR pathway. Dev Biol 2012; 371:191-202. [PMID: 22960233 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Revised: 08/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Nutrient availability is a key determinant of animal growth. The conserved insulin/PI3 kinase and TOR kinase signaling pathways are two of the best characterized regulators of cell and tissue growth in response to nutritional conditions. Studies in Drosophila larvae show that one mechanism by which these pathways drive growth is by regulating the expression of metabolic genes, especially those genes required for protein synthesis. Here we examine a role for the transcription factor DREF in mediating some of these transcriptional and growth responses. We find that loss of DREF leads to a decrease in organismal growth. These effects are in part due to a requirement for DREF function in cell-autonomous growth. We also uncover a non-autonomous role for DREF activity in the larval fat body. Previous studies show that activation of TOR in the fat body couples nutrition to insulin release from the brain; we find that inhibition of DREF in the fat body can phenocopy effects of nutrient deprivation and fat-specific TOR inhibition, leading to a reduction in systemic insulin signaling, delayed larval growth and smaller final size. Using genetic epistasis, we find that DREF is required for growth downstream of TOR, but not insulin/PI3K signaling. Moreover, we show that TOR can control DREF mRNA levels, in part via the transcription factor dMyc. Finally we show that DREF is required for normal expression of many ribosome biogenesis genes, suggesting that one mechanism by which DREF is required for growth is through the control of protein synthetic capacity. Together these findings suggest DREF is an essential transcription factor in the nutritional control of cell and tissue growth during Drosophila development. Given that DREF is conserved, this role may also be important in the control of growth in other animals.
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Yoshioka Y, Nguyen TT, Fujiwara S, Matsuda R, Valadez-Graham V, Zurita M, Yamaguchi M. Drosophila DREF acting via the JNK pathway is required for thorax development. Genesis 2012; 50:599-611. [PMID: 22307950 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Revised: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 01/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The Drosophila Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) gene basket (bsk) promoter contains a DNA replication-related element (DRE)-like sequence, raising the possibility of regulation by the DNA replication-related element-binding factor (DREF). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays with anti-DREF IgG showed the bsk gene promoter region to be effectively amplified. Luciferase transient expression assays revealed the DRE-like sequence to be important for bsk gene promoter activity, and knockdown of DREF decreased the bsk mRNA level and the bsk gene promoter activity. Furthermore, knockdown of DREF in the notum compartment of wing discs by pannier-GAL4 and UAS-DREFIR resulted in a split thorax phenotype. Monitoring of JNK activity in the wing disc by LacZ expression in a puckered (puc)-LacZ enhancer trap line revealed the reduction in DREF knockdown clones. These findings indicate that DREF is involved in regulation of Drosophila thorax development via actions on the JNK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhide Yoshioka
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
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Abstract
To investigate the origin and evolution of essential genes, we identified and phenotyped 195 young protein-coding genes, which originated 3 to 35 million years ago in Drosophila. Knocking down expression with RNA interference showed that 30% of newly arisen genes are essential for viability. The proportion of genes that are essential is similar in every evolutionary age group that we examined. Under constitutive silencing of these young essential genes, lethality was high in the pupal stage and also found in the larval stages. Lethality was attributed to diverse cellular and developmental defects, such as organ formation and patterning defects. These data suggest that new genes frequently and rapidly evolve essential functions and participate in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidi Chen
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, 1101 East 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Abstract
The tumor suppressor protein p53 has a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of the genome. Its functions are well understood but factors responsible for the transcriptional regulation of the p53 gene are almost entirely unknown. The DNA replication-related element (DRE)/DNA replication-related element-binding factor (DREF) transcriptional regulatory system is established as a master key to cell proliferation in Drosophila. DREF binds specifically to DRE sequences in the Drosophila p53 (dmp53) gene promoter as shown using anti-DREF antibodies in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, a rough eye phenotype because of overexpression of DREF in Drosophila eye imaginal disks could be suppressed by half dose reduction of the dmp53 gene. In addition, the level of mRNA of dmp53 was decreased in DREF-knockdown cells and transient expression of the luciferase gene under control of the wild-type dmp53 gene promoter showed strong promoter activity in S2 cells, but this was almost completely abrogated with a DRE-mutated promoter. Requirement of DREs for dmp53 promoter activity was further confirmed by anti-beta-galactosidase antibody-staining of various tissues from transgenic flies carrying dmp53 promoter-lacZ fusion genes. These results indicate that DREF is necessary for dmp53 gene promoter activity.
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