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The transcription factor SRF regulates MERVL retrotransposons and gene expression during zygotic genome activation.

Genes Dev. 39, 490-509 (2025)
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The regulatory circuitry of cell-specific transcriptional programs is thought to be influenced by transposable elements (TEs), whereby TEs serve as raw material for the diversification and genome-wide distribution of genetic elements that contain cis-regulatory activity. However, the transcriptional activators of TEs in relevant physiological contexts are largely unknown. Here, we undertook an evolutionary approach to identify regulators of two main families of MERVL, a major regulator of transcription during early mouse development. Using a combination of phyloregulatory, transcriptomic, and loss-of-function approaches, we demonstrate that SRF is a novel regulator of MERVL and embryonic transcription during zygotic genome activation. By resolving the phylogenetic history of two major MERVL families, we delineate the evolutionary acquisition of SRF and DUX binding sites and show that the acquisition of the SRF site precedes that of DUX. SRF contributes to embryonic transcription through the regulation of MERVLs, which in turn serve as promoters for host genes. Our work identifies new transcriptional regulators and TEs that shape the gene expression programs in early embryos and highlights the process of TE domestication via the sequential acquisition of transcription factor binding sites and coevolution with the host.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Keywords Mervl ; Mouse Embryos ; Retrotransposons ; Transcription; Serum Response Factor; Binding Microarray Data; C-fos Gene; Transposable Elements; Rna-seq; Online Database; Muerv-l; Mouse; Chromatin; Evolution
Language english
Publication Year 2025
HGF-reported in Year 2025
ISSN (print) / ISBN 0890-9369
e-ISSN 1549-5477
Quellenangaben Volume: 39, Issue: 7-8, Pages: 490-509 Article Number: , Supplement: ,
Publisher Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
Publishing Place 1 Bungtown Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, Ny 11724 Usa
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
POF-Topic(s) 30204 - Cell Programming and Repair
Research field(s) Stem Cell and Neuroscience
PSP Element(s) G-506200-001
Grants National University of Mexico
EMBO
German Research Foundation (DFG)
Helmholtz Association
Helmholtz Association http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100009318
Scopus ID 105002125149
PubMed ID 40015990
Erfassungsdatum 2025-03-17