Intrinsic properties of Tcf1 and Tcf4 splice variants determine cell-type-specific Wnt/b-catenin target gene expression

02.08.2012

Wallmen B, Schrempp M, Hecht A

Nucleic Acids Res. 2012; 40(19):9455-69

Nucleic Acids Research           online article

In this study we demonstrate that acute transcriptional activation of cell-type-specific Wnt/?-catenin targets requires certain Tcf/Lef DNA binding proteins. However, Tcf/Lef proteins can neither generate the transcriptionally poised chromatin state of their targets nor are they needed for its maintenance. The inability to cope with chromatin uncovers a property of Tcf/Lef proteins that prevents false ectopic induction and ensures spatio-temporal stability of Wnt/?-catenin target gene expression.