Myocyte enhancer factor 2C upregulates MASH-1 expression and induces neurogenesis in P19 cells

FEBS Lett. 2000 Apr 21;472(1):53-6. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(00)01438-1.

Abstract

MEF2C is a transcription factor expressed in neural lineages. After transient transfection, the MEF2 family of factors can act synergistically with the neural-specific transcription factor, MASH-1, and activate exogenous neural-specific promoters. To determine whether MEF2C is capable of modulating endogenous gene expression, P19 cell lines were analyzed that overexpressed MEF2C, termed P19[MEF2C] cells. Here we show that P19[MEF2C] cells differentiate into neurons when aggregated with ME(2)SO. MEF2C-induced neurons expressed neurofilament protein, the nuclear antigen NeuN, as well as MASH-1. Our results indicate that MEF2C can directly or indirectly activate the expression of MASH-1, leading to neurogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Cell Aggregation
  • Cell Differentiation
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors
  • Mice
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / genetics
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Ascl1 protein, mouse
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors
  • Mef2c protein, mouse
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors
  • Transcription Factors