Analysis of non-crystallin lens fiber cell gene expression in c-Maf -/- mice

Mol Vis. 2003 Jun 30:9:288-94.

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the role of the c-Maf transcription factor in the regulation of non-crystallin lens fiber cell specific gene expression.

Methods: Expression of lens fiber cell genes in c-Maf null mice was analyzed by immunohistochemical and RT-PCR methods. In addition, the effect of c-Maf on fiber cell gene promoter fragments was examined in co-transfection experiments.

Results: Examination of protein expression in c-Maf homozygous mutant mice revealed undetectable levels of CP49, CP115 and MIP protein. mRNA transcripts for these non-crystallin genes were observed at reduced levels in subsequent RT-PCR experiments. The co-transfection of a c-Maf expression construct with reporter constructs containing the proximal promoters of the CP49 and CP115 genes, the structural components of the lens fiber cell beaded filament, did not result in activation of reporter gene expression, as was observed with a crystallin promoter.

Conclusions: While c-Maf has been shown to play a critical role in lens specific expression of the numerous crystallin genes, it does not appear to regulate some non-crystallin fiber cell genes in the same manner. In contrast to most crystallin genes, detectable levels of CP49, CP115, and MIP transcripts are achieved in the absence of c-Maf. In co-transfection experiments, the CP49 and CP115 proximal promoter sequences were not activated by c-Maf. This suggests that increases in transcription of non-crystallin lens fiber cell genes can be enacted in a c-Maf independent fashion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquaporins
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Culture Techniques
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Eye Proteins / genetics*
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Genotype
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / genetics*
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / metabolism
  • Lens, Crystalline / cytology
  • Lens, Crystalline / embryology*
  • Lens, Crystalline / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-maf
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Aquaporins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Eye Proteins
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins
  • Maf protein, mouse
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-maf
  • RNA, Messenger
  • aquaporin 0
  • filensin
  • phakinin