Analysis of CREs of ETS1/2 Target Genes in the Basal Chordate Ciona Intestinalis
Publisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling and downstream activation of the transcription factor ETS1/2 specify the heart cell lineage in the basal chordate Ciona intestinalis. Based on our previous work, 144 candidate FGF/ETS1/2 dependent heart genes have been identified from the Ciona genome. The expression of a large subset of these genes has been verified in the heart precursor lineage using in-situ techniques. Using an bio-informatic approach, we identified candidate enhancers for some of these target genes. We then tested these predicted enhancers through reporter analysis. Our results indicate that the Ets1/2 binding site GGAW and the co-motif ATTA are required for heart lineage enhancer activity. This work can help us understand the conserved, primary role of FGF/Ets in chordate heart lineage specification.Type
textElectronic Thesis
Degree Name
B.S.Degree Level
bachelorsDegree Program
Honors CollegeMolecular and Cellular Biology