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A novel association between clustered NF‐κB and C/EBP binding sites is required for immune regulation of mosquito Defensin genes
Author(s) -
Meredith J. M.,
Munks R. J. L.,
Grail W.,
Hurd H.,
Eggleston P.,
Lehane M. J.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
insect molecular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.955
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2583
pISSN - 0962-1075
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2006.00635.x
Subject(s) - biology , promoter , defensin , electrophoretic mobility shift assay , gene , transcription factor , beta defensin , binding site , innate immune system , gene isoform , microbiology and biotechnology , regulation of gene expression , dna binding site , transcription (linguistics) , gene expression , genetics , immune system , linguistics , philosophy
A comparative analysis identified key cis ‐acting regulatory elements responsible for the temporal control of mosquito Defensin gene expression. The promoters of Anopheles gambiae Defensin 1 and two isoforms of Aedes aegypti Defensin A are up‐regulated by immune challenge. This stimulated activity depends upon a cluster of three NF‐κB binding sites and closely associated C/EBP‐like motifs, which function as a unit for optimal promoter activity. Binding of NF‐κB and C/EBP like transcription factors is confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, including supershifts with antibodies to C/EBP. κB‐like motifs are abundant within antimicrobial peptide gene promoters and most are very closely associated with putative C/EBP binding sites. This novel association between NF‐κB and C/EBP binding sites may, therefore, be of widespread significance.