The MADS-Box Family of Transcription Factors

Abstract

The MADS‐box family of transcription factors has been defined on the basis of primary sequence similarity amongst numerous proteins from a diverse range of eukaryotic organisms including yeasts, plants, insects, amphibians and mammals. The MADS‐box is a conserved motif found within the DNA‐binding domains of these proteins and the name refers to four of the originally identified members: MCM1, AG, DEFA and SRF. Several proteins within this family have significant biological roles. For example, the human serum‐response factor (SRF) is involved in co‐ordinating transcription of the proto‐oncogene c‐fos, whilst MCM1 is central to the transcriptional control of cell‐type specific genes and the pheromone response in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The RSRF/MEF2 proteins comprise a subfamily of this class of transcription factors which are key components in muscle‐specific gene regulation. Moreover, in plants, MADS‐box proteins such as AG, DEFA and GLO play fundamental roles during flower development. The MADS‐box is a contiguous conserved sequence of 56 amino acids, of which 9 are identical in all family members described so far. Several members have been shown to form dimers and consequently two functional regions within the MADS‐box have been defined. The N‐terminal half is the major determinant of DNA‐binding specificity whilst the C‐terminal half is necessary for dimerisation. This organisation allows the potential formation of numerous proteins, with subtly different DNA‐binding specificities, from a limited number of genes by heterodimerisation between different MADS‐box proteins. The majority of MADS‐box proteins bind similar sites based on the consensus sequence CC(A/T)6 GG although each protein apparently possesses a distinct binding specificity. Moreover, several MADS‐box proteins specifically recruit other transcription factors into multi‐component regulatory complexes. Such interactions with other proteins appears to be a common theme within this family and play a pivotal role in the regulation of target genes.

Identification and gene‐silencing of a putative odorant receptor transcription factor in Varroa destructor: possible role in olfaction

“…The MADS-box gene family is ancient, and encodes a large number of transcription regulators in plants and animals. In fungi and nematodes they have an impact on pheromone response (Shore & Sharrocks, 1995;Grunera & Van der Linden, 2015, respectively). The functions of PRTF-like transcription factors in arthropods have not been elucidated to date.…”

Time‐dependent changes in the expression of the MEF2 transcription factor family during topographic map reorganization in mammalian visual cortex

“…We revealed a clear correlation between topographic map reorganization as induced by small homonymous retinal lesions and changes in mef2 mRNA and protein expression levels in adult cat visual cortex. In mammals four mef2 genes exist, which form a subfamily within the MADS (MCM1-agamous-deficiens-serum response factor) box superfamily of DNA binding proteins (Shore & Sharrocks, 1995). These genes fulfil important functions in muscle, immune and neuronal cell differentiation (McKinsey et al, 2002).…”

Morphological “primary homology” and expression of AG -subfamily MADS-box genes in pines, podocarps, and yews

“…The DEFICIENS/AGAMOUS-LIKE (DAL) genes, retrieved from the pine species Norway spruce (Picea abies), were the first homologs of plant homeotic genes found in gymnosperms (Tandre et al 1995). In accordance with phylogenetic reconstructions of the MADS-box multigenic family in plants (for a general review of the features of this gene lineage, see Shore and Sharrocks 1995), these coding sequences are now classified in the MIKC (Mu¨nster et al 1997) or Type II (Á lvarez-Buylla et al 2000) groups of MADS-box genes. Tandre et al (1998) presented a detailed study of the expression pattern of DAL2, the first MIKC-type ''gymnosperm homeotic gene.''…”