Cloning of a novel Olf-1/EBF-like gene, O/E-4, by degenerate oligo-based direct selection

Mol Cell Neurosci. 2002 Jul;20(3):404-14. doi: 10.1006/mcne.2002.1138.

Abstract

The Olf-1/EBF (O/E) family of transcription factors plays important roles in neural development and B-cell maturation. We have utilized a variation of the direct selection scheme (Degenerate Oligo-based Direct Selection, or DODS) to identify a fourth member of the O/E family (O/E-4). We demonstrated that, similar to previously identified mouse O/E proteins, O/E-4 is expressed in the neuronal and basal cell layers of mouse olfactory epithelium. However, unlike other O/E members, O/E-4 expression is absent in the vomeronasal organ. O/E-4 can partner with the other O/Es to form heterodimers that are capable of binding an Olf-1 consensus site in vitro. In contrast to other O/E family members, the O/E-4 protein only weakly activates transcription in a reporter assay. In summary, we have identified O/E-4 utilizing a novel homology screening method. Our results suggest that O/E-4 may interact with other O/E family members to regulate gene expression in the olfactory sensory neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence / genetics
  • Animals
  • Cloning, Molecular / methods*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Gene Library
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Olfactory Mucosa / metabolism
  • Oligonucleotides / metabolism*
  • Trans-Activators / biosynthesis*
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Vomeronasal Organ / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • EBF1 protein, human
  • Ebf1 protein, mouse
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Trans-Activators