Armadillo coactivates transcription driven by the product of the Drosophila segment polarity gene dTCF

Cell. 1997 Mar 21;88(6):789-99. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)81925-x.

Abstract

The vertebrate transcription factors TCF (T cell factor) and LEF (lymphocyte enhancer binding factor) interact with beta-catenin and are hypothesized to mediate Wingless/Wnt signaling. We have cloned a maternally expressed Drosophila TCF family member, dTCF. dTCF binds a canonical TCF DNA motif and interacts with the beta-catenin homolog Armadillo. Previous studies have identified two regions in Armadillo required for Wingless signaling. One of these interacts with dTCF, while the other constitutes a transactivation domain. Mutations in dTCF and expression of a dominant-negative dTCF transgene cause a segment polarity phenotype and affect expression of the Wingless target genes engrailed and Ultrabithorax. Epistasis analysis positions dTCF downstream of armadillo. The Armadillo-dTCF complex mediates Wingless signaling as a bipartite transcription factor.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Armadillo Domain Proteins
  • Body Patterning / genetics
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology
  • Genes, Insect
  • High Mobility Group Proteins / genetics*
  • High Mobility Group Proteins / metabolism
  • Insect Proteins / genetics*
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism
  • Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation / physiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Trans-Activators*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / physiology*
  • Wnt1 Protein

Substances

  • ARM protein, Drosophila
  • Armadillo Domain Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • High Mobility Group Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Wnt1 Protein
  • pan protein, Drosophila
  • wg protein, Drosophila