A functionally conserved member of the FTZ‐F1 nuclear receptor family from Schistosoma mansoni

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1432-1033.2002.03287.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-11T18:36:11Z
• Authors: Ricardo L de Mend...; Didier Bouton; Benjamin Bertin; Hector Escriva; Christophe Noël; Jean‐Marc Vanacker; Jocelyne Cornette; Vincent Laudet; Raymond J. Pierce
• Keywords: Subfamily; Conserved sequence

The fushi tarazu factor 1 (FTZ‐F1) nuclear receptor subfamily comprises orphan receptors with crucial roles in development and sexual differentiation vertebrates invertebrates. We describe the structure functional properties of an FTZ‐F1 from platyhelminth parasite humans, Schistosoma mansoni , first this family to be characterized a Lophotrochozoan. It contains well conserved DNA‐binding domain (55–63% identity other members) poorly ligand‐binding (20% that zebrafish FF1a). However, both ligand signature sequence activation function 2‐activation (AF2‐AD) are perfectly conserved. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed SmFTZ‐F1 is member 5, but it clustered Drosophila DHR39 has consequently been named NR5B1. gene showed complex 10 exons overall size 18.4 kb. Two major transcripts were detected, involving alternative promoter usage splicing two 5′ exons, which encoded identical proteins. mRNA expressed at all life‐cycle stages highest amounts larval forms (miracidia, sporocysts cercariae). expression protein different pattern; low miracidia higher adult male worms. bound same monomeric response element as mammalian SF‐1 (SF‐1 element, SFRE) competition experiments mutant SFREs its specificity was identical. Moreover, transactivated reporter transcription SFRE similarly SF‐1. This conservation argues for biological role throughout metazoa.