Abstract
The identification and molecular characterization of Brn-3.2 has revealed a family of Brn-3-related mammalian POU proteins that share homology with the C. elegans developmental regulator Unc-86 and extended similarity with the Drosophila neurodevelopmental gene I-POU, which defines a novel POU-IV box. Brn-3.2 exhibits DNA binding properties similar to those of Brn-3.0, but its expression is uniquely regulated by retinoic acid in teratocarcinoma and neuroblastoma cells. In the developing PNS and retina, the expression pattern of Brn-3.2 is similar to that of Brn-3.0. In the caudal CNS (spinal cord, hindbrain, and midbrain) Brn-3.2 and Brn-3.0 are initially coexpressed, but diverge later in development. Rostral to the midbrain, Brn-3.2 and Brn-3.0 exhibit nonoverlapping patterns of expression, suggesting divergence of gene function in more recently evolved structures. Our analysis suggests that in the CNS Brn-3.2 is selectively expressed in postmitotic neurons, implying a role in specifying terminally differentiated neuronal phenotypes.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Brain / metabolism*
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Cell Differentiation
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Cell Line
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DNA, Complementary / metabolism
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DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis*
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Drosophila / physiology
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Embryo, Mammalian
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Embryo, Nonmammalian
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Gene Expression / drug effects
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Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
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Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
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Gene Library
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Genes, Homeobox
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Homeodomain Proteins*
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In Situ Hybridization
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Mesencephalon / metabolism
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Mice
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Mitosis
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Neuroblastoma
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Neurons / cytology
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Neurons / drug effects
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Neurons / metabolism*
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Organ Specificity
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Rhombencephalon / metabolism
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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Spinal Cord / metabolism*
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Teratoma
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Transcription Factor Brn-3
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Transcription Factor Brn-3A
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Transcription Factor Brn-3B
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Transcription Factors / biosynthesis*
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Transfection
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Tretinoin / pharmacology*
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Tumor Cells, Cultured
Substances
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DNA, Complementary
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Homeodomain Proteins
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Pou4f1 protein, mouse
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Pou4f2 protein, mouse
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Transcription Factor Brn-3
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Transcription Factor Brn-3A
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Transcription Factor Brn-3B
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Transcription Factors
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Tretinoin