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...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: Boiti, Alessandra (VerfasserIn) , Weber, Hanna (VerfasserIn) , Hong, Yuhang (VerfasserIn) , Siauciunaite, Rima (VerfasserIn) , Gornik, Sebastian G. (VerfasserIn) , Foulkes, Nicholas S. (VerfasserIn) , Vallone, Daniela (VerfasserIn)
Dokumenttyp: Article (Journal)
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: 23 September 2025
In: Antioxidants
Year: 2025, Jahrgang: 14, Heft: 10, Pages: 1-22
ISSN:2076-3921
DOI:10.3390/antiox14101151
Online-Zugang:Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14101151
Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/10/1151
Volltext
Verfasserangaben:Alessandra Boiti, Hanna T. Weber, Yuhang Hong, Rima Siauciunaite, Sebastian G. Gornik, Nicholas S. Foulkes and Daniela Vallone
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung: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.
Beschreibung:Veröffentlicht: 23. September 2025
Gesehen am 03.12.2025
Beschreibung:Online Resource
ISSN:2076-3921
DOI:10.3390/antiox14101151