PgmNr W4145: Direct and positive regulation of bed-3 by BLMP-1 in C. elegans.

Authors:
H. T. Fong; J. Yang; W. H. Tan; T. Inoue


Institutes
National University of Singapore, Singapore, SG.


Keyword: Transcription

Abstract:

C. elegans BLMP-1, the ortholog of the mammalian zinc finger transcriptional repressor PRDM1/BLIMP1, plays an important role in the heterochronic pathway regulating developmental timing. Previously, we have reported that BLMP-1 positively regulates bed-3, a gene required for molting and vulval development. By performing in vivo reporter assays and quantitative PCR, we have shown that bed-3 transcription is downregulated upon BLMP-1 knocked down. Using electrophorectic mobility shift assay (EMSA), we identified two BLMP-1 binding motifs in the 200bp SF2-9 enhancer region located within bed-3 intron 3. In addition, through RNAi screening and double knock-downed assays, we identified candidate chromatin factors and co-activators which may act with BLMP-1 to regulate bed-3 transcription. We anticipate that analysis of these components will reveal the mechanism by which BLMP-1 functions as a positive regulator of bed-3, and give us better understanding of how the heterochronic pathways regulates molting and vulval development.



Wormbase Genetic Index
1. bed-3
2. BLMP-1