A transcription factor regulates development of a bacteria-housing eukaryotic cell through DNA damage mitigation.

ABSTRACT: Intracellular microorganisms are widespread and housed within specialized host cells called bacteriocytes in many invertebrates. Although increasing attention has been devoted to understanding bacteriocyte development, differentiation, and proliferation, the molecular mechanisms that maintain these cells remain poorly understood. We previously showed that the transcription factor Adf-1 suppresses bacteriocyte cell death in whiteflies. Here, DNA affinity purification sequencing identified Adf-1 target genes involved in diverse cellular processes and revealed the DNA damage response kinase ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) as a direct transcriptional target. Dual-luciferase reporter assays and RNA interference confirmed that Adf-1 binds the ATR promoter and po

SUBMITTER: Li NN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC13624593 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature