M-twist is an inhibitor of muscle differentiation.
The twist gene encodes a transcription factor containing a conserved basic helix-loop-helix domain. During development, transcription factors of this type are normally associated with the induction of differentiation. Yet the expression pattern of the murine M-twist suggests an inhibitory role during muscle differentiation. Following stable transfection of myogenic mouse cells with an M-twist expression vector, 75% of M-twist-expressing clones were impaired in their ability to differentiate. In contrast, only 15% of control clones were unable to differentiate. Treatment with antisense oligonucleotides restored differentiation capacity in a concentration-dependent manner. Control oligonucleotides had no effect. These experiments show that the mouse twist gene can act as an inhibitor of muscle differentiation and that this inhibition is reversible.
Max-Planck-Institut für Immunbiologie, Freiburg, Germany.
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Hebrok
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Wertz
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Füchtbauer
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018257:Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D017570:MyoD Protein / Q000235:genetics; D051787:Myogenic Regulatory Factor 5; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors; D018008:Myogenin / Q000235:genetics; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051879:Twist-Related Protein 1
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; C497418:Myf5 protein, mouse; D017570:MyoD Protein; C503801:Myog protein, mouse; D051787:Myogenic Regulatory Factor 5; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors; D018008:Myogenin; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051879:Twist-Related Protein 1; C067250:Twist1 protein, mouse