Regulation of per and cry Genes Reveals a Central Role for the D-Box Enhancer in Light-Dependent Gene Expression

View/ Open
Author
Mracek, Philipp
Idda, M. Laura
Pagano, Cristina
Ben-Moshe, Zohar
Gothilf, Yoav
Vallone, Daniela
Foulkes, Nicholas S.
Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0051278Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Mracek, Philipp, Cristina Santoriello, M. Laura Idda, Cristina Pagano, Zohar Ben-Moshe, Yoav Gothilf, Daniela Vallone, and Nicholas S. Foulkes. 2012. Regulation of per and cry genes reveals a central role for the D-box enhancer in light-dependent gene expression. PLoS ONE 7(12): e51278.Abstract
Light serves as a key environmental signal for synchronizing the circadian clock with the day night cycle. The zebrafish represents an attractive model for exploring how light influences the vertebrate clock mechanism. Direct illumination of most fish tissues and cell lines induces expression of a broad range of genes including DNA repair, stress response and key clock genes. We have previously identified D- and E-box elements within the promoter of the zebrafish per2 gene that together direct light-induced gene expression. However, is the combined regulation by E- and D-boxes a general feature for all light-induced gene expression? We have tackled this question by examining the regulation of additional light-inducible genes. Our results demonstrate that with the exception of per2, all other genes tested are not induced by light upon blocking of de novo protein synthesis. We reveal that a single D-box serves as the principal light responsive element within the cry1a promoter. Furthermore, upon inhibition of protein synthesis D-box mediated gene expression is abolished while the E-box confers light driven activation as observed in the per2 gene. Given the existence of different photoreceptors in fish cells, our results implicate the D-box enhancer as a general convergence point for light driven signaling.Other Sources
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3516543/pdf/Terms of Use
This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of-use#LAACitable link to this page
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:11738407
Collections
- HMS Scholarly Articles [15665]
Contact administrator regarding this item (to report mistakes or request changes)