Functional specificity of T-box genes during vertebrate development

• Applicant: Stefan Tümpel, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Developmental Biology
• Term: from 2007 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 64591503

Over the course of evolution, gene duplication events have resulted in the formation of many so-called gene families. In many cases, individual genes within a family share similar properties (for example, they all encode DNA-binding proteins) yet differ in their specific biological functions (their products activate the expression of different genes). It is an important question, in terms of both development and evolution, to determine how these similar genes exert their different functions. The T-box gene family of transcription factors plays many important roles during development. The founder member, Brachyury, is involved in germ layer specification and notochord formation. In vertebrates several T-box members have been identified and binding analyses in vitro have shown that they bind similar motifs. In my proposal I address the question of how different co-expressed T-box family members can exert different biological effects. To achieve this I am applying ChIP-PET analysis using chromatin derived from BAC-transgenic zebrafish embryos expressing tagged forms of different T-box proteins. I will identify the target genes of three different T-box members that are expressed exclusively in the developing zebrafish mesoderm during gas. This analysis should allow me to define specific Tbox binding sites that may underlie a T-box binding code.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: United Kingdom
• Host: Professor Dr. Jim Smith