Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) on regulation of DOK5 during cardiomyocyte differentiation. Methods RT-PCR was carried out to detect the tissue distribution of mouse DOK5 gene and the expression level of DOK5 and MEF2C during P19CL6 cells differentiated into cardiomyocytes. The effect of MEF2C on DOK5 promoter was confirmed by co-transfection studies. Results The expression of DOK5 was rich in brain, muscle and heart. The mRNA level of DOK5 and MEF2C was enhanced during P19CL6 cells differentiation into cardiomyocytes (p<0.05). Over-expression of MEF2C could increase the promoter activity of DOK5. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that MEF2C was crucial for activating DOK5 promoter. Conclusion MEF2C enhanced the transcription of DOK5 through the MEF2 binding site on DOK5 promoter.

Key words: MEF2C, Dok5, promoter, regulation of gene expression