Purα regulates the induction of Znf179 transcription during neuronal differentiation

Abstract Development of the mammalian central nervous system is an important process, which is accomplished through precise regulations of many different genes. Zinc finger protein 179 (Znf179) is one of the essential genes that plays a critical role in neuronal differentiation. In our previous study, Znf179 knockout mice displayed brain malformation and impaired brain functions. We have also previously shown that Znf179 involves in cell cycle regulation, but the regulatory mechanism of Znf179 expression is not yet fully characterized. Herein, we identified that Purα is an essential factor for the promotor activity of Znf179. We also showed concurrent expression of Znf179 and Purα during neuronal differentiation. We also found that overexpression of Purα increased Znf179 expression in neuronal differentiated P19 cells. Through its direct binding to Znf179, as shown using DAPA, Purα upregulates Znf179 expression, suggesting that Purα is important for the regulation of Znf179 expression during neuronal differentiation. Our data indicated that Purα is involved in the transcriptional regulation of Znf179 gene during neuronal differentiation, and is indispensable during the brain development.