scholarly journals The NRF-1/α-PAL transcription factor regulates human E2F6 promoter activity

2004 ◽  
Vol 383 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoulika KHERROUCHE ◽  
Yvan DE LAUNOIT ◽  
Didier MONTE

E2F6 is widely expressed in human tissues and cell lines. Recent studies have demonstrated its involvement in developmental patterning and in the regulation of various genes implicated in chromatin remodelling. Despite a growing number of studies, nothing is really known concerning the E2F6 expression regulation. To understand how cells control E2F6 expression, we analysed the activity of the previously cloned promoter region of the human E2F6 gene. DNase I footprinting, gel electrophoreticmobility shift, transient transfection and site-directed mutagenesis experiments allowed the identification of two functional NRF-1/α-PAL (nuclear respiratory factor-1/α-palindrome-binding protein)-binding sites within the human E2F6 core promoter region, which are conserved in the mouse and rat E2F6 promoter region. Moreover, ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) analysis demonstrated that overexpressed NRF-1/α-PAL is associated in vivo with the E2F6 promoter. Furthermore, overexpression of full-length NRF-1/α-PAL enhanced E2F6 promoter activity, whereas expression of its dominant-negative form reduced the promoter activity. Our results indicate that NRF-1/α-PAL is implicated in the regulation of basal E2F6 gene expression.

2003 ◽  
Vol 373 (3) ◽  
pp. 835-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mònica TORRAS-LLORT ◽  
Fernando AZORÍN

In this paper, the human phosphodiesterase 7A1 (hPDE7A1) promoter region was identified and functionally characterized. Transient transfection experiments indicated that a 2.9 kb fragment of the hPDE7A1 5′-flanking region, to position −2907, has strong promoter activity in Jurkat T-cells. Deletion analysis showed that the proximal region, up to position −988, contains major cis-regulatory elements of the hPDE7A1 promoter. This minimal promoter region contains a regulatory CpG island which is essential for promoter activity. The CpG island contains three potential cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB)-binding sites that, as judged by in vivo dimethyl sulphate (DMS) footprinting, are occupied in Jurkat T-cells. Moreover, over-expression of CREB results in increased promoter activity, but, on the other hand, promoter activity decreases when a dominant-negative form of CREB (KCREB) is over-expressed. In vivo DMS footprinting strongly indicates that other transcription factors, such Ets-2, nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1 (NFAT-1) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), might also contribute to the regulation of hPDE7A1 promoter. Finally, hPDE7A1 promoter was found to be induced by treatment with PMA, but not by treatment with dibutyryl cAMP or forskolin. These results provide insights into the factors and mechanisms that regulate expression of the hPDE7A gene.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuting Li ◽  
Meaghan Cogswell ◽  
Kathryn Hixson ◽  
Amy R. Brooks-Kayal ◽  
Shelley J. Russek

ABSTRACTWhile the exact role of β1 subunit-containing GABA-A receptors (GABARs) in brain function is not well understood, altered expression of the β1 subunit gene (GABRB1) is associated with neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In particular, down-regulation of β1 subunit levels is observed in brains of patients with epilepsy, autism, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. A pathophysiological feature of these disease states is imbalance in energy metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction. The transcription factor, nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1), has been shown to be a key mediator of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial biogenesis. Using a variety of molecular approaches (including mobility shift, promoter/reporter assays, and overexpression of dominant negative NRF-1), we now report that NRF-1 regulates transcription of GABRB1 and that its core promoter contains a conserved canonical NRF-1 element responsible for sequence specific binding and transcriptional activation. Our identification of GABRB1 as a new target for NRF-1 in neurons suggests that genes coding for inhibitory neurotransmission may be coupled to cellular metabolism. This is especially meaningful as binding of NRF-1 to its element is sensitive to the kind of epigenetic changes that occur in multiple disorders associated with altered brain inhibition.


Development ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 126 (22) ◽  
pp. 5137-5148 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.D. Ryoo ◽  
T. Marty ◽  
F. Casares ◽  
M. Affolter ◽  
R.S. Mann

To regulate their target genes, the Hox proteins of Drosophila often bind to DNA as heterodimers with the homeodomain protein Extradenticle (EXD). For EXD to bind DNA, it must be in the nucleus, and its nuclear localization requires a third homeodomain protein, Homothorax (HTH). Here we show that a conserved N-terminal domain of HTH directly binds to EXD in vitro, and is sufficient to induce the nuclear localization of EXD in vivo. However, mutating a key DNA binding residue in the HTH homeodomain abolishes many of its in vivo functions. HTH binds to DNA as part of a HTH/Hox/EXD trimeric complex, and we show that this complex is essential for the activation of a natural Hox target enhancer. Using a dominant negative form of HTH we provide evidence that similar complexes are important for several Hox- and exd-mediated functions in vivo. These data suggest that Hox proteins often function as part of a multiprotein complex, composed of HTH, Hox, and EXD proteins, bound to DNA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 7388
Author(s):  
Federica Zinghirino ◽  
Xena Giada Pappalardo ◽  
Angela Messina ◽  
Francesca Guarino ◽  
Vito De Pinto

VDACs (voltage-dependent anion-selective channels) are pore-forming proteins of the outer mitochondrial membrane, whose permeability is primarily due to VDACs’ presence. In higher eukaryotes, three isoforms are raised during the evolution: they have the same exon–intron organization, and the proteins show the same channel-forming activity. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the three human VDAC genes (VDAC1–3), their expression profiles, promoter activity, and potential transcriptional regulators. VDAC isoforms are broadly but also specifically expressed in various human tissues at different levels, with a predominance of VDAC1 and VDAC2 over VDAC3. However, an RNA-seq cap analysis gene expression (CAGE) approach revealed a higher level of transcription activation of VDAC3 gene. We experimentally confirmed this information by reporter assay of VDACs promoter activity. Transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) distribution in the promoters were investigated. The main regulators common to the three VDAC genes were identified as E2F-myc activator/cell cycle (E2FF), Nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), Krueppel-like transcription factors (KLFS), E-box binding factors (EBOX) transcription factor family members. All of them are involved in cell cycle and growth, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and metabolism. More transcription factors specific for each VDAC gene isoform were identified, supporting the results in the literature, indicating a general role of VDAC1, as an actor of apoptosis for VDAC2, and the involvement in sex determination and development of VDAC3. For the first time, we propose a comparative analysis of human VDAC promoters to investigate their specific biological functions. Bioinformatics and experimental results confirm the essential role of the VDAC protein family in mitochondrial functionality. Moreover, insights about a specialized function and different regulation mechanisms arise for the three isoform gene.


2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 644-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Huo ◽  
Richard C. Scarpulla

ABSTRACT In vitro studies have implicated nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1) in the transcriptional expression of nuclear genes required for mitochondrial respiratory function, as well as for other fundamental cellular activities. We investigated here the in vivo function of NRF-1 in mammals by disrupting the gene in mice. A portion of the NRF-1 gene that encodes the nuclear localization signal and the DNA-binding and dimerization domains was replaced through homologous recombination by a β-galactosidase–neomycin cassette. In the mutant allele, β-galactosidase expression is under the control of the NRF-1 promoter. Embryos homozygous for NRF-1 disruption die between embryonic days 3.5 and 6.5. β-Galactosidase staining was observed in growing oocytes and in 2.5- and 3.5-day-old embryos, demonstrating that the NRF-1 gene is expressed during oogenesis and during early stages of embryogenesis. Moreover, the embryonic expression of NRF-1 did not result from maternal carryover. While most isolated wild-type and NRF-1+/− blastocysts can develop further in vitro, the NRF-1−/− blastocysts lack this ability despite their normal morphology. Interestingly, a fraction of the blastocysts from heterozygous matings had reduced staining intensity with rhodamine 123 and NRF-1−/− blastocysts had markedly reduced levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The depletion of mtDNA did not coincide with nuclear DNA fragmentation, indicating that mtDNA loss was not associated with increased apoptosis. These results are consistent with a specific requirement for NRF-1 in the maintenance of mtDNA and respiratory chain function during early embryogenesis.


1994 ◽  
Vol 180 (6) ◽  
pp. 2413-2418 ◽  
Author(s):  
R P Bissonnette ◽  
A McGahon ◽  
A Mahboubi ◽  
D R Green

T cell hybridomas respond to activation signals by undergoing apoptotic cell death, and this is likely to represent comparable events related to tolerance induction in immature and mature T cells in vivo. Previous studies using antisense oligonucleotides implicated the c-Myc protein in the phenomenon of activation-induced apoptosis. This role for c-Myc in apoptosis is now confirmed in studies using a dominant negative form of its heterodimeric binding partner, Max, which we show here inhibits activation-induced apoptosis. Further, coexpression of a reciprocally mutant Myc protein capable of forming functional heterodimers with the mutant Max can compensate for the dominant negative activity and restore activation-induced apoptosis. These results imply that Myc promotes activation-induced apoptosis by obligatory heterodimerization with Max, and therefore, by regulating gene transcription.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 2173-2173
Author(s):  
Lin Wang ◽  
Jia Xue ◽  
Seth J. Corey ◽  
Lisa J. Robinson

Abstract Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is the major cytokine involved in neutrophil production. G-CSF has pleiotropic effects on myeloid cells, initially stimulating proliferation but later promoting differentiation. The specific signaling pathways that mediate the diverse effects of G-CSF remain incompletely understood. Recently, the scaffolding molecule Grb2-associated binder protein 2 (Gab2) was shown to play an important role in G-CSF induced myeloid differentiation (Zhu et al. Blood 2004). Ligand stimulation of the G-CSF receptor results in the rapid phosphorylation of Gab2, but the identity of the responsible kinases and the molecular events dependent on Gab2 phosphorylation remain unclear. Because Janus kinases (Jaks) play a central role in G-CSF signaling, we investigated the involvement of Jaks in G-CSF-stimulated Gab2 phosphorylation using the hematologic DT40 cell line stably transduced with the human G-CSF receptor (DT40GR). Antisense Jak1 and Jak2 constructs expressed in DT40GR cells each produced a marked reduction in their target Jak protein, but only antisense Jak2 reduced G-CSF-stimulated Gab2 phosphorylation. To determine whether Gab2 phosphorylation required Jak2 kinase activity, dominant negative Jak2 mutants lacking catalytic activity were expressed in the DT40GR cells. Expression of dominant negative Jak2 inhibited Gab2 phosphorylation in response to G-CSF. Similarly, treatment with the Jak2-selective kinase inhibitor AG490 markedly reduced G-CSF-dependent Gab2 phosphorylation. Co-immunoprecipitation studies further demonstrated a G-CSF- and Gab2 phosphorylation-dependent association of Jak2 with Gab2 in vivo, which was detectable by 30 seconds after G-CSF stimulation. To determine whether Gab2 was a direct substrate of Jak2, we performed in vitro phosphorylation studies using Gab2-GST fusion protein substrates. Jak2 immunoprecipitated from G-CSF-stimulated cells, but not from control cells, phosphorylated the Gab2 fusion protein. To identify potential Jak2 tyrosine phosphorylation sites in Gab2, we used site-directed mutagenesis to produce three Gab2 tyrosine mutants. Tyrosines 409, 452, and 476 were each replaced by phenylalanine (Y409F, Y452F, and Y476F). The Y452F and Y476F mutations of Gab2 each inhibited G-CSF-stimulated Jak2-dependent phosphorylation of Gab2, both in stably-transfected DT40GR cells and in transiently-transfected 293 cells also transduced with the G-CSF receptor. In contrast, G-CSF-stimulated Gab2 phosphorylation appeared unaffected by the Y409F mutation. We also evaluated downstream events in G-CSF signaling in cells expressing these Gab2 tyrosine- mutants. Akt and Erk phosphorylation following G-CSF stimulation was inhibited by both the Y452F and Y476F Gab2 mutations, but was unaffected by the Y409F mutation. These results suggest that Jak2 may mediate G-CSF differentiation signals through Stat-independent mechanisms.


Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (11) ◽  
pp. 4138-4149
Author(s):  
Gyeong H. Park ◽  
Howard K. Plummer ◽  
Geoffrey W. Krystal

The receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit is necessary for normal hematopoiesis, the development of germ cells and melanocytes, and the pathogenesis of certain hematologic and nonhematologic malignancies. To better understand the regulation of the c-kit gene, a detailed analysis of the core promoter was performed. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and RNase protection methods showed two major transcriptional initiation sites. Luciferase reporter assays using 5′ promoter deletion-reporter constructs containing up to 3 kb of 5′ sequence were performed in hematopoietic and small-cell lung cancer cell lines which either did or did not express the endogenous c-kit gene. This analysis showed the region 83 to 124 bp upstream of the 5′ transcription initiation site was crucial for maximal core promoter activity. Sequence analysis showed several potential Sp1 binding sites within this highly GC-rich region. Gel shift and DNase footprinting showed that Sp1 selectively bound to a single site within this region. Supershift studies using an anti-Sp1 antibody confirmed specific Sp1 binding. Site-directed mutagenesis of the −93/−84 Sp1 binding site reduced promoter-reporter activity to basal levels in c-kit–expressing cells. Cotransfection into DrosophilaSL2 cells of a c-kit promoter-reporter construct with an Sp1 expression vector showed an Sp1 dose-dependent enhancement of expression that was markedly attenuated by mutation of the −93/−84 site. These results indicate that despite the fact that the human c-kit promoter contains multiple potential Sp1 sites, Sp1 binding is a selective process that is essential for core promoter activity.


2010 ◽  
Vol 192 (14) ◽  
pp. 3722-3734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Tauschek ◽  
Ji Yang ◽  
Dianna Hocking ◽  
Kristy Azzopardi ◽  
Aimee Tan ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The locus for enterocyte effacement (LEE) is the virulence hallmark of the attaching-and-effacing (A/E) intestinal pathogens, namely, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, enterohemorrhagic E. coli, and Citrobacter rodentium. The LEE carries more than 40 genes that are arranged in several operons, e.g., LEE1 to LEE5. Expression of the various transcriptional units is subject to xenogeneic silencing by the histone-like protein H-NS. The LEE1-encoded regulator, Ler, plays a key role in relieving this repression at several major LEE promoters, including LEE2 to LEE5. To achieve appropriate intracellular concentrations of Ler in different environments, A/E pathogens have evolved a sophisticated regulatory network to control ler expression. For example, the LEE-encoded GrlA and GrlR proteins work as activator and antiactivator, respectively, of ler transcription. Thus, control of the transcriptional activities of the LEE1 (ler) promoter and the grlRA operon determines the rate of transcription of all of the LEE-encoded virulence factors. To date, only a single promoter has been identified for the grlRA operon. In this study, we showed that the non-LEE-encoded AraC-like regulatory protein RegA of C. rodentium directly stimulates transcription of the grlRA promoter by binding to an upstream region in the presence of bicarbonate ions. In addition, in vivo and in vitro transcription assays revealed a σ70 promoter that is specifically responsible for transcription of grlA. Expression from this promoter was strongly repressed by H-NS and its paralog StpA but was activated by Ler. DNase I footprinting demonstrated that Ler binds to a region upstream of the grlA promoter, whereas H-NS interacts specifically with a region extending from the grlA core promoter into its coding sequence. Together, these findings provide new insights into the environmental regulation and differential expressions of the grlR and grlA genes of C. rodentium.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document