Cross-repressive interaction of the Olig2 and Nkx2.2 transcription factors in developing neural tube associated with formation of a specific physical complex.
In developing neural tube, the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Olig2 interacts with the homeodomain transcription factor Nkx2.2 at two distinct stages. During neuronogenesis, a cross-repressive interaction appears to establish the precise boundary between the p3 and pMN domains. At later times, a cooperative interaction is noted because Nkx2.2 promotes maturation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells specified by expression of Olig2. We show here that the Olig2 protein can form a physical complex with Nkx2.2 protein in mammalian cells and yeast two-hybrid trap assay. This interaction is specific because Olig2 does not bind to a biologically irrelevant homeodomain transcription factor (Nkx6.1), and Nkx2.2 does not interact with a biologically irrelevant bHLH protein (NeuroD). Deletion mapping analysis suggests that formation of an Olig2-Nkx2.2 physical complex is insufficient for the induction of oligodendrocyte progenitors in developing spine; however, the protein-protein interaction observed might be important for the cross-repressive interaction between Olig2 and Nkx2.2 that helps to establish the pMN-p3 boundary in the developing spinal cord.
Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Tao
T
Sun
Hualing
H
Dong
Lizi
L
Wu
Michael
M
Kane
David H
DH
Rowitch
Charles D
CD
Stiles
D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D019556:COS Cells; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D000090322:Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.2; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000076104:Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000502:physiology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000502:physiology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D000090322:Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.2; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000076104:Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C000715627:Nkx2-2 protein, mouse; C512773:Olig2 protein, mouse; C000715630:nkx2.2b protein, zebrafish