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Myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) is a key modulator of the expression of the prothoracicotropic hormone gene in the silkworm, Bombyx mori
Author(s) -
Shiomi Kunihiro,
Fujiwara Yoshihiro,
Atsumi Tsutomu,
Kajiura Zenta,
Nakagaki Masao,
Tanaka Yoshiaki,
Mizoguchi Akira,
Yaginuma Toshinobu,
Yamashita Okitsugu
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2005.04799.x
Subject(s) - prothoracic gland , biology , enhancer , bombyx mori , ecdysone , mef2 , transcription factor , bombyx , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , regulation of gene expression , endocrinology , gene , hormone , genetics
Prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) plays a central role in controlling molting, metamorphosis, and diapause termination in insects by stimulating the prothoracic glands to synthesize and release the molting hormone, ecdysone. Using Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcNPV)‐mediated transient gene transfer into the central nervous sytem (CNS) of the silkworm, Bombyx mori , we identified two cis ‐regulatory elements that participate in the decision and the enhancement of PTTH gene expression in PTTH‐producing neurosecretory cells (PTPCs). The cis ‐element mediating the enhancement of PTTH gene expression binds the transcription factor Bombyx myocyte enhancer factor 2 (BmMEF2). The BmMEF2 gene was expressed in various tissues including the CNS. In brain, the BmMEF2 gene was expressed at elevated levels in two types of lateral neurosecretory cells, namely PTPCs and corazonin‐like immunoreactive lateral neurosecretory cells. Overexpression of BmMEF2 cDNA caused an increase in the transcription of PTTH . Therefore, BmMEF2 appears to be particularly important in the brain where it is responsible for the differentiation of lateral neurosecretory cells, including the enhancement of PTTH gene expression. This is the first report to identify a target gene of MEF2 in the invertebrate nervous system.