Light-induced transcription in zebrafish targets mitochondrial function and heme metabolism
In fish cells, light exposure elevates levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stress-activated MAP kinase activity and thereby induces gene transcription. However, we lack a complete understanding of the function and evolution of this regulatory mechanism. Here, we reveal that a set of mitochon...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
23 September 2025
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| In: |
Antioxidants
Year: 2025, Volume: 14, Issue: 10, Pages: 1-22 |
| ISSN: | 2076-3921 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/antiox14101151 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14101151 Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/10/1151 
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| Author Notes: | Alessandra Boiti, Hanna T. Weber, Yuhang Hong, Rima Siauciunaite, Sebastian G. Gornik, Nicholas S. Foulkes and Daniela Vallone |
| Summary: | In fish cells, light exposure elevates levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stress-activated MAP kinase activity and thereby induces gene transcription. However, we lack a complete understanding of the function and evolution of this regulatory mechanism. Here, we reveal that a set of mitochondrial and heme metabolism genes is transcriptionally induced in zebrafish cells upon exposure to light or elevated ROS. The integrity of D-box and E-box enhancers in these gene promoters is essential for their transcriptional activation. Furthermore, light-induced transcription of mitochondrial and heme metabolism genes is absent in a cell line derived from the blind Somalian cavefish (Phreatichthys andruzzii). This fish species has evolved in perpetual darkness and lacks light-dependent circadian and DNA repair responses as well as D-box-mediated and light- and ROS-induced transcription. PAR-bZip transcription factors bind to and activate transcription via the D-box. Cavefish homologs of these factors share extensive homology with their zebrafish counterparts and lack the deletion mutations that characterize other light-dependent genes in this species. These results extend the role of the D-box as a key regulator of light- and ROS-driven transcription in fish, beyond the circadian clock and DNA repair systems, to also encompass metabolic and mitochondrial function. |
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| Item Description: | Veröffentlicht: 23. September 2025 Gesehen am 03.12.2025 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 2076-3921 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/antiox14101151 |