The Function of Heterodimeric AP-1 Comprised of c-Jun and c-Fos in Activin Mediated Spemann Organizer Gene Expression
2011

The Role of AP-1 in Activin Signaling

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Lee Sung-Young, Yoon Jaeho, Lee Hyun-Shik, Hwang Yoo-Seok, Cha Sang-Wook, Jeong Chul-Ho, Kim Jong-Il, Park Jae-Bong, Lee Jae-Yong, Kim SungChan, Park Mae Ja, Dong Zigang, Kim Jaebong

Primary Institution: Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Hallym University, ChunCheon, Kangwon-Do, Republic of Korea

Hypothesis

What is the specific role of heterodimeric AP-1 in activin signaling during vertebrate development?

Conclusion

AP-1c-Jun/c-Fos is essential for the expression of organizer genes in response to activin signaling during early Xenopus embryogenesis.

Supporting Evidence

  • Overexpression of AP-1c-Jun/c-Fos induces the expression of organizer genes.
  • AP-1c-Jun/c-Fos enhances the promoter activities of activin-responsive genes.
  • AP-1 is required for the expression of organizer genes mediated by activin signaling.
  • AP-1c-Jun/c-Fos and Smad3 cooperatively regulate the transcription of goosecoid gene.

Takeaway

AP-1c-Jun/c-Fos helps control important genes during the early development of frogs, especially those that help form the body structure.

Methodology

The study involved embryo injections, animal cap assays, RT-PCR, and luciferase assays to analyze gene expression.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021796

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