Effect of a large deletion of the basic domain of mi transcription factor on differentiation of mast cells

Blood. 2001 Oct 15;98(8):2577-9. doi: 10.1182/blood.v98.8.2577.

Abstract

The mi transcription factor (MITF) is a basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper transcription factor that is important for the development of mast cells. Cultured mast cells (CMCs) of mi/mi genotype express abnormal MITF (mi-MITF), but CMCs of tg/tg genotype do not express any MITFs. It was previously reported that mi/mi CMCs showed more severe abnormalities than tg/tg CMCs, indicating that mi-MITF had inhibitory function. Whereas mi-MITF contains a single amino acid deletion in the basic domain, MITF encoded by mi(ew) allele (ew-MITF) deletes 16 of 21 amino acids of the basic domain. Here the effect of a large deletion of the basic domain was examined. In mi(ew)/mi(ew) CMCs, the expression pattern of genes whose transcription was affected by MITF was comparable to that of tg/tg CMCs rather than to that of mi/mi CMCs. This suggested that ew-MITF lacked any functions. The part of the basic domain deleted in ew-MITF appeared necessary for either transactivation or inhibition of transactivation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Mast Cells / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plasmids
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Skin / cytology
  • Skin Abnormalities / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor
  • Mitf protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors
  • Serotonin
  • Luciferases