Positional cloning of the young mutation identifies an essential role for the Brahma chromatin remodeling complex in mediating retinal cell differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003 May 27;100(11):6535-40
Date
05/16/2003Pubmed ID
12748389Pubmed Central ID
PMC164481DOI
10.1073/pnas.0631813100Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0038312996 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 83 CitationsAbstract
Zebrafish with the young (yng) mutation show a defect in retinal cell differentiation. Here we demonstrate that a mutation in a brahma-related gene (brg1) is responsible for the yng phenotype. Brahma homologues function as essential subunits for SWI/SNF-type chromatin remodeling complexes. Our analysis indicates that brg1 is required for the wave of mitogen-activated protein kinase activity that precedes retinal cell differentiation. Using specific inhibitors of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway we show this signal has a direct role in retinal cell differentiation. Lastly, through investigations of mutants in other chromatin remodeling subunits, we provide genetic evidence for gene and tissue specificity of the Brahma chromatin remodeling complex.
Author List
Gregg RG, Willer GB, Fadool JM, Dowling JE, Link BAAuthor
Brian A. Link PhD Professor in the Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsBase Sequence
Cell Cycle Proteins
Chromatin
Cloning, Molecular
DNA Primers
Drosophila Proteins
Molecular Sequence Data
Mutation
Trans-Activators
Zebrafish
