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The transcription factors MTF‐1 and USF1 cooperate to regulate mouse metallothionein‐I expression in response to the essential metal zinc in visceral endoderm cells during early development
Author(s) -
Andrews Glen K.,
Lee Dae Kee,
Ravindra Rudravajhala,
Lichtlen Peter,
Sirito Mario,
Sawadogo Michele,
Schaffner Walter
Publication year - 2001
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 - 10.1093/emboj/20.5.1114
Subject(s) - biology , metallothionein , endoderm , transcription factor , zinc , microbiology and biotechnology , transcription (linguistics) , genetics , gene , cellular differentiation , linguistics , philosophy , materials science , metallurgy
During early development of the mouse embryo, expression of the metallothionein‐I ( MT‐I ) gene is heightened specifically in the endoderm cells of the visceral yolk sac. The mechanisms of regulation of this cell‐specific pattern of expression of metallothionein‐I are unknown. However, it has recently been shown that MTF‐1, functioning as a metalloregulatory transcription factor, activates metallothionein genes in response to the essential metal zinc. In contrast with the metallothionein genes, MTF‐1 is essential for development; null mutant embryos die due to liver degeneration. We report here that MTF‐1 is absolutely essential for upregulation of MT‐I gene expression in visceral endoderm cells and that optimal expression also involves interactions of the basic helix–loop–helix upstream stimulatory factor‐1 (USF1) with an E‐box1‐containing sequence at −223 bp in the MT‐I promoter. Expression of MT‐I in visceral endoderm cells was dependent on maternal dietary zinc. Thus, the essential metal, zinc, apparently provides the signaling ligand that activates cell‐ specific MT‐I expression in visceral endoderm cells.