Transcriptional regulation of human MAP2 gene in melanoma: role of neuronal bHLH factors and Notch1 signaling.

ABSTRACT: Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), a neuron-specific protein, stabilizes microtubules and is critical for neurite outgrowth and dendrite development. Although MAP2 is widely used as a marker of neuronal differentiation, regulation of its transcription has not been investigated. We showed that MAP2 is frequently activated in human cutaneous melanoma. Here, we identified a 2.2 kb region that is sufficient for neuronal-specific expression in vitro and in vivo. Comparative analysis of the mouse, rat and human MAP2 promoter sequences showed the presence of a conserved bHLH factor binding sites. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis, promoter mutagenesis and co-transfection experiments showed that NeuroD, a pro-neuronal differentiation factor, and Hairy and Enhancer of Split (HES1), a tr

SUBMITTER: Bhat KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1540725 | biostudies-literature | 2006

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature