title: Nerve growth factor induces the expression of the LIM homeodomain transcription factor Isl-1 with the kinetics of an immediate early gene in adult rat dorsal root ganglion.
abstract: LIM-homeodomain genes encode a major class of transcription factors which play a critical role in regulating tissue specific gene expression. In this report, we have shown that three members of the LIM-homeodomain gene family - Isl-1, Rlim and Lim-3 are expressed in adult rat sensory neurons. Furthermore, we show that the addition of nerve growth factor (NGF) to cultures of primary dorsal root ganglion neurons leads to the induction of Isl-1, Rlim and Lim-3 mRNA expression. The increase in Isl-1 mRNA levels upon NGF addition was rapid and occurred even in the presence of cycloheximide. These findings place Isl-1 as a novel member of the immediate early class of genes. In contrast, Rlim and Lim-3mRNA induction by NGF required protein synthesis. The role of LIM-homeodomain genes in mediating responses to NGF in adult sensory neurons is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton, SO16 7PX, UK.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Jameson
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lillycrop
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017781:Genes, Immediate-Early / Q000235:genetics*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C063843:insulin gene enhancer binding protein Isl-1; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D003513:Cycloheximide; C492371:Rlim protein, rat; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases