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Robust specification of sensory neurons by dual functions of charlatan, a Drosophila NRSF/REST‐like repressor of extramacrochaetae and hairy
Author(s) -
Yamasaki Yasutoyo,
Lim YoungMi,
Niwa Nao,
Hayashi Shigeo,
Tsuda Leo
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
genes to cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1365-2443
pISSN - 1356-9597
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2443.2011.01537.x
Subject(s) - repressor , biology , proneural genes , psychological repression , enhancer , gene silencing , transcription factor , activator (genetics) , neurogenesis , regulator , microbiology and biotechnology , transcription (linguistics) , genetics , regulation of gene expression , gene , gene expression , linguistics , philosophy
Sensory bristle formation in Drosophila is a well‐characterized system for studying sensory organ development at the molecular level. The master proneural genes of the achaete‐scute ( ac‐sc ) complex, which encode basic‐helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factors, are necessary and sufficient for sensory bristle formation. charlatan ( chn ) was originally identified as a transcriptional activator of ac‐sc gene expression through interaction with its enhancer, an activity that promotes sensory bristle development. In contrast, Chn was also identified as a functional homologue of mammalian neuron‐restrictive silencing factor or RE1 silencing transcription factor (NRSF/REST), an important transcriptional repressor during vertebrate neurogenesis and stem cell development that acts through epigenetic gene silencing. Here, we report that Chn acts as a repressor of extramacrochaetae ( emc ) and hairy , molecules that inhibit ac‐sc expression. This double‐negative mechanism, together with direct activation via the achaete enhancer, increases expression of achaete and ensures robust development of sensory neurons. A mutation in the C‐terminal repressor motif of Chn, which causes Chn to lose its repression activity, converted Chn to an activator of emc and hairy , suggesting that Chn is a dual functional regulator of transcription. Because chn ‐like sequences are found among arthropods, regulation of neuronal development by Chn‐like molecules may be widely conserved.