title: Cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP) is a direct downstream target of transcription factor Pax6.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transcription factor Pax6 plays an essential role in the expression of other transcription factors, cell adhesion molecules and is crucial for neurogenesis in the developing forebrain. Analysis of gene expression profiles through microarray experiments in Pax6 mutants allowed us to focus on CRALBP, one of the many genes that were downregulated.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied the expression of CRALBP in wt and Pax6-/- mutants through in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. ChIP assay and luciferase reporter assay were performed to show the regulatory role of Pax6 on CRALBP promoter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RNA and protein expression data show that CRALBP expression was completely abolished in Pax6 mutants. In vivo binding assays and in vitro reporter assays indicate that Pax6 not only binds the promoter of CRALBP but also positively regulates protein expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This work provides evidence supporting that CRALBP is a direct downstream target of Pax6. However, the role of CRALBP in the cortex is yet to be elucidated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pax6 is a marker expressed on neural stem cells and progenitor cells. Understanding Pax6-dependent gene regulatory mechanisms unravels signaling cascades that occur early during development.
authors: Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany. boppansr@umdnj.edu
authors: Sridhar
authors: S
authors: Boppana
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Scheglov
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Geffers
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Tarabykin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D016466:CHO Cells; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D047369:Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005123:Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011485:Protein Binding; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: C020932:11-cis-retinal-binding protein; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; C000605732:Pax6 protein, mouse; D012097:Repressor Proteins