EFL-3/E2F7 modulates Wnt signalling by repressing the Nemo-like kinase LIT-1 during asymmetric epidermal cell division in Caenorhabditis elegans

Mar Ferrando-Marco; Michalis Barkoulas

doi:10.1242/dev.204546

journal article Open Access Mar 01, 2025

EFL-3/E2F7 modulates Wnt signalling by repressing the Nemo-like kinase LIT-1 during asymmetric epidermal cell division in Caenorhabditis elegans

Mar Ferrando-Marco Michalis Barkoulas

Development Vol. 152 No. 5 · The Company of Biologists

View at Publisher Save 10.1242/dev.204546

Abstract

ABSTRACT
The E2F family of transcription factors is conserved in higher eukaryotes and plays pivotal roles in controlling gene expression during the cell cycle. Most canonical E2Fs associate with members of the Dimerisation Partner (DP) family to activate or repress target genes. However, atypical repressors, such as E2F7 and E2F8, lack DP interaction domains and their functions are less understood. We report here that EFL-3, the E2F7 homologue of Caenorhabditis elegans, regulates epidermal stem cell differentiation. We show that phenotypic defects in efl-3 mutants depend on the Nemo-like kinase LIT-1. EFL-3 represses lit-1 expression through direct binding to a lit-1 intronic element. Increased LIT-1 expression in efl-3 mutants reduces POP-1/TCF nuclear distribution, and consequently alters Wnt pathway activation. Our findings provide a mechanistic link between an atypical E2F family member and NLK during C. elegans asymmetric cell division, which may be conserved in other animals.

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Details

Published: Mar 01, 2025
Vol/Issue: 152(5)
License: View

Authors

M

Mar Ferrando-Marco

Imperial College Department of Life Sciences , , London SW7 2AZ ,

M

Michalis Barkoulas

Imperial College Department of Life Sciences , , London SW7 2AZ ,

Funding

Wellcome Trust Award: 219448/Z/19/Z

Imperial College London

‘la Caixa’ Foundation

Cite This Article

Mar Ferrando-Marco, Michalis Barkoulas (2025). EFL-3/E2F7 modulates Wnt signalling by repressing the Nemo-like kinase LIT-1 during asymmetric epidermal cell division in Caenorhabditis elegans. Development, 152(5). https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.204546

EFL-3/E2F7 modulates Wnt signalling by repressing the Nemo-like kinase LIT-1 during asymmetric epidermal cell division in Caenorhabditis elegans

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