title: Analysis of Msx1 and Msx2 transactivation function in the context of the heat shock 70 (Hspa1b) gene promoter.
abstract: Previous studies have shown that Msx proteins control gene transcription predominantly through repression mechanisms. However, gene expression studies using either the gain-of-function or the loss-of-function mutants revealed many gene targets whose expression require functional Msx proteins. To date, investigations into the mechanisms of Msx-dependent transactivation have been hindered by the lack of a responsive promoter. Here, we demonstrated the usefulness of the mouse Hspa1b promoter in probing Msx-dependent mechanisms of gene activation. We showed that Msx protein activates Hspa1b promoter via its C-terminal domain. The activation absolutely depends on the HSEs and physical interactions between Msx proteins and heat shock factors may play a contributing role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1355 San Pablo Street, DVRC314, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Fengfeng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: Manuel P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shuler
authors.forename: Yi-Hsin
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Liu