Involvement of ITF2 in the transcriptional regulation of melanogenic genes.

摘要: In response to agouti signal protein, melanocytes switch from producing eumelanin pheomelanin concomitant with the down-regulation of melanogenic gene transcription. We previously reported that a ubiquitous basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, known as ITF2, is up-regulated during this switch, and we now report treatment melanocyte-stimulating hormone down-regulates expression ITF2. To more fully characterize involvement ITF2 in regulating transcription, sense or antisense constructs were introduced into melan-a melanocytes. Gene protein analyses luciferase reporter assays using promoters genes showed up-regulation suppressed well Mitf, melanocyte-specific factor. addition, stable transfectants had significant reductions pigmentation less dendritic phenotype compared mock transfectants. contrast, antisense-transfected pigmented dendritic. These results demonstrate functionally reveal differential factor can modulate differentiation