Pax6-induced alteration of cell fate: Shape changes, expression of neuronal α tubulin, postmitotic phenotype, and cell migration

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Abstract
The transcription factor Pax6 plays an important role in the development of the central nervous system. To understand its mechanism of action, we transduced HeLa cells with a Pax6-expressing lentiviral vector. Upon transduction, HeLa cells markedly changed shape and formed neuritelike extensions. Pax6-transduced HeLa cells expressed high levels of neuronal α3 tubulin, demonstrating a partial transdifferentiation towards a neuronal phenotype. Neurons are postmitotic cells. Pax6-transduced HeLa cells became postmitotic through mechanisms involving up-regulation of p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. One of the most striking effects of Pax6 was observed by time-lapse videomicroscopy: cells started to dissociate from cell clusters and displayed intense migratory activity. Migration was accompanied by dynamic and reversible shape changes. Our results identified three elements of Pax6 action: (i) expression of neuron-specific genes; (ii) establishment of a postmitotic phenotype; and (iii) involvement in the regulation of cell shape and cell migration. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006