MyoD

Question 1

What is MyoD?

Answer 1

A transcription factor involved in muscle cell differentiation

Question 2

What is MyoD only expressed in?

Answer 2

Muscle precursors and muscle cells

Question 3

How is the expression of MyoD maintained?

Answer 3

Maintains itself, one of the genes it turns on in a cells is MyoD itself - positive feedback

Question 4

Is MyoD itself enough to turn a cell –> muscle cell?

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

How is the sufficiency of MyoD tested?

Answer 5

Culture fibroblasts and transfect with MyoD gene and the fibroblasts now differentiate into muscle

Question 6

What doe fibroblasts usually synthesise?

Answer 6

Connective tissue

Question 7

Can cell still become muscle cells if you disrupt the activity of MyoD?

Answer 7

Yes, MyoD is not required

Question 8

How is the requirement of MyoD tested?

Answer 8

Cause mutation in MyoD gene in mouse embryo and mice lacking the function of MyoD still developed wth normal skeletal muscle

Question 9

Which gene acts redundantly with MyoD?

Answer 9

Myf5

Question 10

What happens to a mouse if both Myf5 and MyoD genes are knocked out?

Answer 10

Lacks all skeletal muscle