EMX2 activates slow myosin heavy chain 2 gene expression in embryonic muscle fibers. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hatch, Kristina; Pabon, Amanda; DiMario, Joseph X.
• Is Part Of: Mechanisms of development. Volume 147(2017)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Myogenesis -- Lineage -- Transcription; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Developmental Biology -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; Biologie du développement -- Périodiques; Biologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Developmental biology; Molecular biology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 571.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2017.06.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0925-4773

Abstract

Abstract: Avian myogenesis is partly characterized by commitment of distinct myoblast cell lineages to the formation of specific muscle fiber types. Previous studies have identified the transcription factor EMX2 as a regulator of slow myosin heavy chain 2 (MyHC2) gene expression in fast/slow primary muscle fibers. We report here the interaction of EMX2 with the slow MyHC2 transcriptional regulatory region in fast/slow embryonic muscle fibers. Promoter activity and electromobility shift assays localized the site of interaction of EMX2 with the slow MyHC2 gene within a defined binding site located between 3336 and 3326 bp from the 3′ end of the cloned slow MyHC2 DNA containing the transcriptional regulatory region. Using clonally-derived myoblasts stably committed to the formation of fast/slow muscle fibers, we also report the effect of altered EMX2 gene expression on genome-wide gene expression within these myoblasts. Increased EMX2 gene expression in fast/slow myoblasts caused altered gene expression of 1185 genes, indicating that EMX2 plays a central role in the gene expression profile of embryonic myoblasts. Highlights: EMX2 is differentially expressed in the avian slow myoblast cell lineage. EMX2 transcriptionally activates the slow MyHC2 gene promoter. EMX2 activates a repertoire of genes associated with skeletal muscle development.