Characterisation of Sp1 in zebrafish (Danio rerio) in the context of development

Abstract

Specificity protein 1 or Sp1 is a general transcription factor that binds to TATA-less promoters and drives the transcription of their downstream genes. It regulates processes like proliferation, cell cycle, metastasis, metabolism, etc. Sp1 is essential for development. Human SP1 is known to be regulated by Wnt signalling pathway and viceversa, in vitro. In this study, we aimed to characterise the role of Sp1 in development using zebrafish as model organism and its possible interplay with Wnt signalling pathway. Depletion of Sp1 indeed resulted in dysregulation of processes like cell cycle, angiogenesis, regeneration, neuronal and eye development. Knockdown of Sp1 resulted in a delay in intestinal development. Various Wnt pathway genes were also dysregulated upon Sp1 depletion. Modulating Wnt signalling pathway results in a change in Sp1 at the protein level and this may be regulated by CK1. The study characterises the Sp1 during the course of development in zebrafish and points towards a possible regulatory loop between Sp1 and Wnt signalling pathway.