iScience (Mar 2023)

Comprehensive characterization of the embryonic factor LEUTX

  • Lisa Gawriyski,
  • Eeva-Mari Jouhilahti,
  • Masahito Yoshihara,
  • Liangru Fei,
  • Jere Weltner,
  • Tomi T. Airenne,
  • Ras Trokovic,
  • Shruti Bhagat,
  • Mari H. Tervaniemi,
  • Yasuhiro Murakawa,
  • Kari Salokas,
  • Xiaonan Liu,
  • Sini Miettinen,
  • Thomas R. Bürglin,
  • Biswajyoti Sahu,
  • Timo Otonkoski,
  • Mark S. Johnson,
  • Shintaro Katayama,
  • Markku Varjosalo,
  • Juha Kere

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26, no. 3
p. 106172

Abstract

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Summary: The paired-like homeobox transcription factor LEUTX is expressed in human preimplantation embryos between the 4- and 8-cell stages, and then silenced in somatic tissues. To characterize the function of LEUTX, we performed a multiomic characterization of LEUTX using two proteomics methods and three genome-wide sequencing approaches. Our results show that LEUTX stably interacts with the EP300 and CBP histone acetyltransferases through its 9 amino acid transactivation domain (9aaTAD), as mutation of this domain abolishes the interactions. LEUTX targets genomic cis-regulatory sequences that overlap with repetitive elements, and through these elements it is suggested to regulate the expression of its downstream genes. We find LEUTX to be a transcriptional activator, upregulating several genes linked to preimplantation development as well as 8-cell-like markers, such as DPPA3 and ZNF280A. Our results support a role for LEUTX in preimplantation development as an enhancer binding protein and as a potent transcriptional activator.

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