Lineage context switches the function of a C. elegans Pax6 homolog in determining a neuronal fate Journal Article
| Authors: | Brandt, J. P.; Rossillo, M.; Du, Z.; Ichikawa, D.; Barnes, K.; Chen, A.; Noyes, M.; Bao, Z.; Ringstad, N. |
| Article Title: | Lineage context switches the function of a C. elegans Pax6 homolog in determining a neuronal fate |
| Abstract: | The sensory nervous system of C. elegans comprises cells with varied molecular and functional characteristics, and is, therefore, a powerful model for understanding mechanisms that generate neuronal diversity. We report here that VAB-3, a C. elegans homolog of the homeodomain-containing protein Pax6, has opposing functions in regulating expression of a specific chemosensory fate. A homeodomain-only short isoform of VAB-3 is expressed in BAG chemosensory neurons, where it promotes gene expression and cell function. In other cells, a long isoform of VAB-3, comprising a Paired homology domain and a homeodomain, represses expression of ETS-5, a transcription factor required for expression of BAG fate. Repression of ets-5 requires the Eyes Absent homolog EYA-1 and the Six-class homeodomain protein CEH-32. We determined sequences that mediate high-affinity binding of ETS-5, VAB-3 and CEH-32. The ets-5 locus is enriched for ETS-5-binding sites but lacks sequences that bind VAB-3 and CEH-32, suggesting that these factors do not directly repress ets-5 expression. We propose that a promoterselection system together with lineage-specific expression of accessory factors allows VAB-3/Pax6 to either promote or repress expression of specific cell fates in a context-dependent manner. © 2019. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd. |
| Keywords: | nervous system; c. elegans; chemosensory; vab-3 |
| Journal Title: | Development |
| Volume: | 146 |
| Issue: | 8 |
| ISSN: | 0950-1991 |
| Publisher: | Company of Biologists |
| Date Published: | 2019-04-15 |
| Start Page: | dev168153 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1242/dev.168153 |
| PUBMED: | 30890567 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC6503985 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Source: Scopus |
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