A homeodomain transcription factor gene, PfMSX, activates expression of Pif gene in the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata

PLoS One. 2014 Aug 6;9(8):e103830. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103830. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

We reported pearl oyster Pinctada fucata cDNA and genomic characterization of a new homeobox-containing protein, PfMSX. The PfMSX gene encodes a transcription factor that was localized to the nucleus. Analyses of PfMSX mRNA in tissues and developmental stages showed high expressions in mantle or D-shaped larvae. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) PfMSX binded to MSX consensus binding sites in the 5' flanking region of the Pif promoter. In co-transfection experiment PfMSX transactivated reporter constructs containing Pif promoter sequences, and mutation of the MSX-binding sites attenuated transactivation. A knockdown experiment using PfMSX dsRNA showed decreased Pif mRNA and unregular crystallization of the nacreous layer using scanning electron microscopy. Our results suggested that PfMSX was a conserved homeodomain transcription factor gene, which can activate Pif gene expression through MSX binding site, and was then involved in the mineralization process in pearl oyster Pinctada fucata. Our data provided important clues about mechanisms regulating biomineralization in pearl oyster.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pinctada / genetics
  • Pinctada / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Response Elements / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transcription Factors

Associated data

  • GENBANK/KJ028206
  • GENBANK/KJ028207
  • GENBANK/KJ028208

Grants and funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (41376159) http://www.nsfc.gov.cn/; the National Science and technology program of China (2012AA10A410) and the Funds of Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (ZCX2-EW-Q21). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.