Atlantic salmon HNF-3/forkhead: cDNA sequence, evolution, expression, and functional analysis

• Published in: DNA and cell biology Vol. 19; no. 1; p. 59
• Main Authors: Stenson, C, McNair, A, Byrnes, L, Murphy, M, Smith, T, Gannon, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-01-2000
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Base Sequence; Binding Sites; Conserved Sequence; DNA, Complementary - genetics; DNA, Complementary - isolation & purification; Evolution, Molecular; Forkhead Transcription Factors; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Intestines - metabolism; Liver - metabolism; Molecular Sequence Data; Nuclear Proteins - genetics; Nuclear Proteins - metabolism; Organ Specificity; Pancreas - metabolism; Phylogeny; Promoter Regions, Genetic; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Salmo salar - genetics; Salmo salar - metabolism; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transferrin - genetics
• ISSN: 1044-5498
• DOI: 10.1089/104454900314717

We report the isolation and characterization of a cDNA encoding an HNF-3 family member (as HNF-3) from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L). The important functional domains of HNF-3 proteins that have been characterized previously are revealed by segments of high identity along the alignment of the asHNF-3 with winged helix/forkhead amino acid sequences isolated from other species. A comparison of asHNF-3 cDNA and genomic DNA indicated that there were no introns present in the asHNF-3 gene. Expression of asHNF-3 protein in adult salmon tissues was not exclusive to liver but was also present in the pancreas and intestine. An RT-PCR analysis performed on salmon development showed that asHNF3 expression is detectable before gastrulation at the mid blastula transition stage. Functional analysis of the asHNF-3 protein using a characterized HNF-3 consensus binding site demonstrated that the protein can recognize and bind to specific HNF-3 consensus sequences. We also report the identification of a novel HNF3 binding site in the promoter of the Atlantic salmon transferrin gene.