E2f3b plays an essential role in myogenic differentiation through isoform-specific gene regulation.

TitleE2f3b plays an essential role in myogenic differentiation through isoform-specific gene regulation.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsAsp P, Acosta-Alvear D, Tsikitis M, van Oevelen C, Dynlacht BDavid
JournalGenes Dev
Volume23
Issue1
Pagination37-53
Date Published2009 Jan 1
ISSN1549-5477
KeywordsAnimals, Cell Differentiation, Cell Line, E2F Transcription Factors, E2F3 Transcription Factor, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Mice, Myoblasts, Protein Binding, Protein Isoforms, Repressor Proteins
Abstract

Current models posit that E2F transcription factors can be divided into members that either activate or repress transcription, in part through collaboration with the retinoblastoma (pRb) tumor suppressor family. The E2f3 locus encodes E2f3a and E2f3b proteins, and available data suggest that they regulate cell cycle-dependent gene expression through opposing transcriptional activating and repressing activities in growing and quiescent cells, respectively. However, the role, if any, of E2F proteins, and in particular E2f3, in myogenic differentiation is not well understood. Here, we dissect the contributions of E2f3 isoforms and other activating and repressing E2Fs to cell cycle exit and differentiation by performing genome-wide identification of isoform-specific targets. We show that E2f3a and E2f3b target genes are involved in cell growth, lipid metabolism, and differentiation in an isoform-specific manner. Remarkably, using gene silencing, we show that E2f3b, but not E2f3a or other E2F family members, is required for myogenic differentiation, and that this requirement for E2f3b does not depend on pRb. Our functional studies indicate that E2f3b specifically attenuates expression of genes required to promote differentiation. These data suggest how diverse E2F isoforms encoded by a single locus can play opposing roles in cell cycle exit and differentiation.

DOI10.1101/gad.1727309
Alternate JournalGenes Dev.
PubMed ID19136625
PubMed Central IDPMC2632163