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TBP paralogs accommodate metazoan‐ and vertebrate‐specific developmental gene regulation
Author(s) -
Jacobi Ulrike G,
Akkers Robert C,
Pierson Elisabeth S,
Weeks Daniel L,
Dagle John M,
Veenstra Gert Jan C
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1038/sj.emboj.7601822
Subject(s) - biology , xenopus , gene knockdown , transcription factor , gastrulation , gene , genetics , transcriptome , maternal to zygotic transition , embryo , vertebrate , regulation of gene expression , bilateria , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , embryonic stem cell , embryogenesis , phylogenetics , zygote
In addition to TATA‐binding protein (TBP), a key factor for transcription initiation, the metazoan‐specific TBP‐like factor TLF/TRF2 and the vertebrate‐specific factor TBP2/TRF3 are known to be required for transcription of specific subsets of genes. We have combined an antisense‐knockdown approach with transcriptome profiling to determine the significance and biological role of TBP‐independent transcription in early gastrula‐stage Xenopus laevis embryos. Here, we report that, although each of the TBP family members is essential for embryonic development, relatively few genes depend on TBP in the embryo. Most of the transcripts that depend on TBP in the embryo are also expressed maternally and in adult stages, and show no functional specialization. In contrast, TLF is linked to preferential expression in embryos and shows functional specialization in catabolism. A requirement for TBP2 is linked to vertebrate‐specific embryonic genes and ventral‐specific expression. Therefore TBP paralogs are essential for the gene‐regulatory repertoire that is directly linked to early embryogenesis.