Light-Induced Transcription in Zebrafish Targets Mitochondrial Function and Heme Metabolism.

ABSTRACT: In fish cells, light exposure elevates levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stress-activated MAP kinase activity and thereby induces gene transcription. However, we lack a complete understanding of the function and evolution of this regulatory mechanism. Here, we reveal that a set of mitochondrial and heme metabolism genes is transcriptionally induced in zebrafish cells upon exposure to light or elevated ROS. The integrity of D-box and E-box enhancers in these gene promoters is essential for their transcriptional activation. Furthermore, light-induced transcription of mitochondrial and heme metabolism genes is absent in a cell line derived from the blind Somalian cavefish (Phreatichthys andruzzii). This fish species has evolved in perpetual darkness and lacks light-dependent

SUBMITTER: Boiti A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12561580 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature