PBX1 intracellular localization is independent of MEIS1 in epithelial cells of the developing female genital tract.
While studies have highlighted the role of HOXA9-13 and PBX1 homeobox genes during the development of the female genital tract, the molecular mechanisms triggered by these genes are incompletely elucidated. In several developmental pathways, PBX1 binds to MEINOX family members in the cytoplasm to be imported into the nucleus where they associate with HOX proteins to form a higher complex that modulates gene expression. This concept has been challenged by a recent report showing that in some cell cultures, PBX1 nuclear localization might be regulated independently of MEINOX proteins (Kilstrup-Nielsen et al., 2003). Our work gives the first illustration of this alternative mechanism in an organogenesis process. Indeed, we show that PBX1 is mostly cytoplasmic in epithelial endometrial cells of the developing female genital tract despite the nuclear localization of MEIS1. We thus provide evidence for a control of PBX1 intracellular distribution which is independent of MEINOX proteins, but is cell cycle correlated.
Dintilhac
Agnès
A
UMR 6061, Genetique et Developpement, IFR 140, Universite de Rennes 1, Campus Villejean, Rennes, France.
Bihan
Réjane
R
Guerrier
Daniel
D
Deschamps
Stéphane
S
Bougerie
Héloise
H
Watrin
Tanguy
T
Bonnec
Georgette
G
Pellerin
Isabelle
I
D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D000075064:Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000075062:Pre-B-Cell Leukemia Transcription Factor 1; D021381:Protein Transport; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C000616391:MEIS1 protein, human; C000616392:Meis1 protein, mouse; D000075064:Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C481797:Pbx1 protein, mouse; D000075062:Pre-B-Cell Leukemia Transcription Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors; C088144:HoxA protein