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A novel Myb‐related protein involved in transcriptional activation of encystation genes in Giardia lamblia
Author(s) -
Sun ChinHung,
Palm Daniel,
McArthur Andrew G.,
Svärd Staffan G.,
Gillin Frances D.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2002.03233.x
Subject(s) - biology , gene , promoter , giardia lamblia , myb , genetics , transcription factor , regulation of gene expression , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology
Summary Giardia lambliais an important human intestinal parasite that survives outside of the host by differentiation of trophozoites into infectious cysts. Transcriptional regulation is key for encystation gene expression, but the mechanisms are unknown.Giardiagenome database searches identified amyb‐like gene (gmyb2) whose expression increased during encystation. Epitope‐tagged gMyb2 localized to both nuclei. DNA binding and mutation analysis showed that gMyb2 binds specifically to C(T/A)ACAG, a c‐Myb‐like target sequence in the promoters of encystation‐induced genes encoding gMyb2, three cyst wall proteins and G6PI‐B, a key enzyme in cyst wall polysaccharide biosynthesis. gMyb2 binding sites were not found in the upstream regions of 31 other giardial genes. Deletion of the putative gMyb2 binding site greatly reduced encystation‐specific promoter activity ofg6pi‐b. Fusion of gMyb2 binding sites to the constitutiveranpromoter org6pi‐b promoter deletion lacking the gMyb2 binding site in‐duced encystation‐specific expression. gMyb2 may play an important role in transcriptional regulation of encystation genes, and may help co‐ordinate synthesis of cyst wall proteins and polysaccharide. gMyb2 is the first giardial transcription factor to be functionally identified and the first that is associated with upregulation of encystation genes. This work provides a model for study of differential gene regulation in early diverging eukaryotic organisms.