RE-1 silencer of transcription/neural restrictive silencer factor modulates ectodermal patterning during Xenopus development.
RE-1 silencer of transcription/neural restrictive silencer factor (REST/NRSF), a transcriptional repressor, binds to the RE-1 element present in many vertebrate genes. In vitro studies indicate that REST/NRSF plays important roles in several stages of neural development. However, a full understanding of its physiological function requires in vivo approaches. We find that impairment of REST/NRSF function in Xenopus embryos leads to the perturbation of neural tube, cranial ganglia, and eye development. The origin of these defects is the abnormal patterning of the ectoderm during gastrulation. Interference of REST/NRSF function during the late blastula stage leads to an expansion of the neural plate, concomitant with a decrease of the expression of epidermal keratin and neural crest markers. Furthermore, neurogenesis proceeds abnormally, with loss of the expression of proneural, neurogenic, and neuronal genes. The interference of REST/NRSF mimics several features associated with a decreased bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) function and counteracts some effects of BMP4 misexpression. Our results indicate that REST/NRSF function is required in vivo for the acquisition of specific ectodermal cell fates.
Olguín
Patricio
P
Centro de Neurociencias Integradas, Iniciativa Científica Milenio, Programa de Fisiología y Biofísica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, 838-0453 Independencia, Chile. polguin@med.uchile.cl
Oteíza
Pablo
P
Gamboa
Eduardo
E
Gómez-Skármeta
José Luis
JL
Kukuljan
Manuel
M
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004475:Ectoderm / Q000378:metabolism*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D008845:Microinjections / Q000379:methods; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014981:Xenopus; D000099229:RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000099229:RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor