dXNP, a Drosophila homolog of XNP/ATRX, induces apoptosis via Jun-N-terminal kinase activation.
XNP/ATRX, a causative gene of X-linked alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome, encodes an SNF2 family ATPase/helicase protein. To better understand the role of XNP/ATRX in development, we isolated and characterized a Drosophila XNP/ATRX homolog, dXNP, which contains highly conserved SNF2 and helicase domains. Ectopically expressed dXNP induced strong apoptosis in the developing eye and wing, but did not affect cell cycle progression or the expression of wingless and engrailed, essential regulators of development. The dXNP-induced apoptosis was strongly suppressed by DJNKK/hemipterous mutation, and dXNP increased JNK activity. Taken together, these results suggest that dXNP regulates apoptosis via JNK activation.
Lee
Nam Gon
NG
Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Hong
Yoon Ki
YK
Yu
Si Young
SY
Han
Seung Yeop
SY
Geum
Dongho
D
Cho
Kyoung Sang
KS
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005123:Eye / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009154:Mutation; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D004265:DNA Helicases