E2F regulation of the gene is functionally important in development.

The canonical role of the transcription factor E2F is to control the expression of cell cycle genes by binding to the E2F sites in their promoters. However, the list of putative E2F target genes is extensive and includes many metabolic genes, yet the significance of E2F in controlling the expression of these genes remains largely unknown. Here, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to introduce point mutations in the E2F sites upstream of five endogenous metabolic genes in . We found that the impact of these mutations on both the recruitment of E2F and the expression of the target genes varied, with the glycolytic gene, (, being mostly affected. The loss of E2F regulation on the gene led to a decrease in glycolytic flux, tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates levels, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and an abnormal mitochondrial morphology. Remarkably, chromatin accessibility was significantly reduced at multiple genomic regions in mutants. These regions contained hundreds of genes, including metabolic genes that were downregulated in mutants. Moreover, animals had shortened life span and exhibited defects in high-energy consuming organs, such as ovaries and muscles. Collectively, our results illustrate how the pleiotropic effects on metabolism, gene expression, and development in the animals underscore the importance of E2F regulation on a single E2F target, .