Abstract
Recently, a novel family of TATA binding protein (TBP)-like factors (TLFs) have been described in metazoan organisms; however, their function has not yet been elucidated. Using Caenorhabditis elegans (Ce) as a model, we demonstrate that CeTLF is required in vivo for zygotic transcription during embryogenesis. Elimination of CeTLF expression by RNA interference caused embryonic lethality either due to the lack of expression of early patterning genes or to their ectopic expression. Moreover, the absence of CeTLF in vivo prevented the correct soma-specific phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Thus, CeTLF may positively or negatively regulate Pol II transcription, depending on the developmental stage of the embryo.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / physiology
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Mutagenesis / physiology
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Phenotype
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Phosphorylation
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RNA Polymerase II / genetics
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RNA Polymerase II / metabolism*
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RNA, Double-Stranded / genetics
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Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
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Serine / metabolism
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TATA Box Binding Protein-Like Proteins
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Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / metabolism
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Transcription, Genetic / physiology*
Substances
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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RNA, Double-Stranded
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TATA Box Binding Protein-Like Proteins
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TBPL1 protein, human
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Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2
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Transcription Factors
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tlf-1 protein, C elegans
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Serine
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RNA Polymerase II