Identification of a novel sonic hedgehog response element in the chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II promoter

Mol Endocrinol. 1997 Sep;11(10):1458-66. doi: 10.1210/mend.11.10.9992.

Abstract

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a secreted morphogen that regulates dorso-ventral patterning within the neural tube during embryonic development. It is well established that Shh can induce motor-neuron differentiation that coincides with the appearance of specific motor-neuron markers including chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) and Isl1. However, the mechanism of Shh-induced signaling pathway in vertebrates is not clearly defined. In this report we have identified COUP-TFII as a target gene for Shh. In addition we have used a 1.6-kb region of the COUP-TFII promoter to identify a target element that mediates the Shh-induced activity. Extensive deletions introduced within this region have further enabled us to identify a novel sonic hedgehog response element (ShhRE) in the COUP-TFII promoter. Point mutations introduced within the ShhRE reveal some key nucleotides that are essential for protein(s)-binding activity. Finally, the ShhRE is capable of functioning as a true enhancer element and can mediate Shh-induced transactivation of reporter gene via a heterologous promoter.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • COS Cells
  • COUP Transcription Factor II
  • COUP Transcription Factors
  • Chickens
  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Point Mutation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics*
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Steroid*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Trans-Activators*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • COUP Transcription Factor II
  • COUP Transcription Factors
  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors