Timing the Phox-Trot: Duration of Phox2a-Dependent Transcription Is Controlled by an Intramolecular Dephosphorylation/Phosphorylation Clock

摘要

In this issue, Shin et al. (17) provide an analysis of phosphorylation of three key serine residues on the transcription factor Phox2a that allow the biphasic activation of p27kip1, leading to differentiation of CAD neuronal progenitor cells. The results suggest some interesting predictions about regulation of Phox-dependent differentiation in vivo and add rich detail to the signaling mechanisms underlying the parallel transition of neuronal progenitors from dividing to nondividing cells and from cells without a neurotransmitter identity to cells with a unique and definitive one.