Activation-derepression synergy enables a bHLH network to coordinate a signal-specific fate response.

ABSTRACT: Stem cells integrate multiple environmental signals to activate appropriate fate programs. To ensure coherent responses, alternative fates must be concomitantly inactivated. However, mechanisms that coordinate fates in a signal-specific manner are not fully understood. Here, we investigate the role of a network of basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors in neural stem cells, which integrate leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling to synergistically induce glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a key astrocyte-fate determinant. Using quantitative RNA-fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and ectopic expression, we find that multiple bHLHs that promote alternative fates also repress GFAP but are all suppressed by BMP and, to a lesser e

SUBMITTER: Nandagopal S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11774475 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature