scholarly journals Identification of upstream stimulatory factor as transcriptional activator of the liver promoter of the glucokinase gene

1998 ◽  
Vol 333 (3) ◽  
pp. 705-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick B. IYNEDJIAN

A functionally important cis-acting element termed P2 was identified in the liver promoter of the glucokinase gene. Element P2 was delineated by footprinting in vitro with nuclear proteins from rat liver and spleen. Its core sequence in the rat gene is a canonical CACGTG E-box. In the electrophoretic mobility-shift assay with nuclear proteins from rat liver, hepatocytes and hepatoma cells, an oligonucleotide with P2 in the context of the glucokinase promoter sequence gave rise to a DNA–protein complex shown to contain the upstream stimulatory factor (USF) by specific competition experiments and by reactivity with anti-USF antibodies. Transient transfection of hepatoma HepG2 cells, combined with site-directed mutagenesis, demonstrated that the P2 element was important for liver glucokinase promoter activity. Co-transfection of an expression plasmid coding for USF1 activated reporter gene expression in a manner dependent on an intact P2 element, whereas an expression plasmid for c-Myc was ineffective. Expression of a truncated form of USF1 lacking the transcription activation domain and the basic region decreased reporter activity by a dominant-negative effect. The functional significance of the P2 element was also demonstrated in transient transfection of primary hepatocytes.

2003 ◽  
Vol 369 (3) ◽  
pp. 549-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy M. COULSON ◽  
Jodie L. EDGSON ◽  
Zoe V. MARSHALL-JONES ◽  
Robert MULGREW ◽  
John P. QUINN ◽  
...  

We have described previously a complex E-box enhancer (-147) of the vasopressin promoter in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) extracts [Coulson, Fiskerstrand, Woll and Quinn, (1999) Biochem. J. 344, 961—970]. Upstream stimulatory factor (USF) heterodimers were one of the complexes binding to this site in vitro. We now report that USF overexpression in non-SCLC (NSCLC) cells can functionally activate vasopressin promoter-driven reporters that are otherwise inactive in this type of lung cancer cell. Site-directed mutagenesis and electrophoretic mobility-shift analysis demonstrate that although the −147 E-box contributes, none of the previously predicted E-boxes (-147, −135, −34) wholly account for this USF-mediated activation in NSCLC. 5′ Deletion showed the key promoter region as −52 to +42; however, USF-2 binding was not reliant on the −34 E-box, but on a novel adjacent CACGGG non-canonical E-box at −42 (motif E). This mediated USF binding in both SCLC and USF-2-transfected NSCLC cells. Mutation of motif E or the non-canonical TATA box abolished activity, implying both are required for transcriptional initiation on overexpression of USF-2. Co-transfected dominant negative USF confirmed that binding was required through motif E for function, but that the classical activation domain of USF was not essential. USF-2 bound motif E with 10-fold lower affinity than the −147 E-box. In NSCLC, endogenous USF-2 expression is low, and this basal level appears to be insufficient to activate transcription of arginine vasopressin (AVP). In summary, we have demonstrated a novel mechanism for USF activation, which contributes to differential vasopressin expression in lung cancer.


2020 ◽  
pp. jbc.RA120.014749
Author(s):  
Xin Tong ◽  
Dandan Xu ◽  
Rama K. Mishra ◽  
Ryan D Jones ◽  
Leyu Sun ◽  
...  

The TP53 gene is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancers, and the majority of TP53 mutations are missense mutations. As a result, these mutant p53 (mutp53) either directly lose wild-type p53 (wtp53) tumor suppressor function or exhibit a dominant negative effect over wtp53. In addition, some mutp53 have acquired new oncogenic function (gain of function). Therefore, targeting mutp53 for its degradation, may serve as a promising strategy for cancer prevention and therapy. Based on our previous finding that farnesylated DNAJA1 is a crucial chaperone in maintaining mutp53 stabilization, and by using an in silico approach, we built 3-D homology models of human DNAJA1 and mutp53R175H proteins, identified the interacting pocket in the DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex, and found one critical druggable small molecule binding  site in the DNAJA1 glycine/phenylalanine rich region. We confirmed that the interacting pocket in the DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex was crucial for stabilizing mutp53R175H using a site-directed mutagenesis approach. We further screened a drug-like library to identify a promising small molecule hit (GY1-22) against the interacting pocket in DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex. The GY1-22 compound displayed an effective activity against DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex. Treatment with GY1-22 significantly reduced mutp53 protein levels, enhanced Waf1p21 expression, suppressed cyclin D1 expression, and inhibited mutp53-driven pancreatic cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo. Together, our results indicate that the interacting pocket in the DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex is critical for mutp53’s stability and oncogenic function, and DNAJA1 is a robust therapeutic target for developing the efficient small molecule inhibitors against oncogenic mutp53.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Koch ◽  
Alexander Lang ◽  
Patcharawalai Whongsiri ◽  
Wolfgang A. Schulz ◽  
Michele Janine Hoffmann ◽  
...  

Abstract Background KDM6A, encoding a histone demethylase, is one of the top ten mutated epigenetic cancer genes. The effect of mutations on its structure and function are however poorly characterized. Methods Database search identified nonsense and missense mutations in the N-terminal TPR motifs and the C-terminal, catalytic JmjC domain, but also in the intrinsically disordered region connecting both well-structured domains. KDM6A variants with cancer-derived mutations were generated using site directed mutagenesis and fused to eGFP, which served as an all-in-one affinity and fluorescence tag to study demethylase activity by an ELISA based assay in vitro, complex assembly by Co-immunoprecipitation and localization by microscopy in cellulo. Results Independent of the mutation and demethylase activity, all KDM6A variants were detectable in the nucleus. KDM6A truncations displayed changes in complex assemblies: affecting (1) known interactions with the COMPASS complex component RBBP5 and (2) KDM6A-DNA associated assemblies with the nucleolar protein Nucleophosmin. Furthermore, we observed a severe cellular phenotype characterized by multiple acute effects on nuclear integrity, namely, release of nuclear DNA into the cytoplasm, increased level of DNA damage indicators RAD51 and p-γH2A.X, and hence mitosis defects. Conclusion These observations reveal novel effects of pathogenic variants pointing at new specific functions of KDM6A as well as at a dominant negative effect of KDM6A truncation variants. The underlying mechanisms and affected pathways have to be investigated in future research to understand how tumor cells cope with and benefit from KDM6A truncations.


2012 ◽  
Vol 446 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bohao Chen ◽  
Rona Hsu ◽  
Zhenping Li ◽  
Paul C. Kogut ◽  
Qingxia Du ◽  
...  

Silencing of GATA5 gene expression as a result of promoter hypermethylation has been observed in lung, gastrointestinal and ovarian cancers. However, the regulation of GATA5 gene expression has been poorly understood. In the present study, we have demonstrated that an E (enhancer)-box in the GATA5 promoter (bp −118 to −113 in mice; bp −164 to −159 in humans) positively regulates GATA5 transcription by binding USF1 (upstream stimulatory factor 1). Using site-directed mutagenesis, EMSA (electrophoretic mobility-shift analysis) and affinity chromatography, we found that USF1 specifically binds to the E-box sequence (5′-CACGTG-3′), but not to a mutated E-box. CpG methylation of this E-box significantly diminished its binding of transcription factors. Mutation of the E-box within a GATA5 promoter fragment significantly decreased promoter activity in a luciferase reporter assay. Chromatin immunoprecipitation identified that USF1 physiologically interacts with the GATA5 promoter E-box in mouse intestinal mucosa, which has the highest GATA5 gene expression in mouse. Co-transfection with a USF1 expression plasmid significantly increased GATA5 promoter-driven luciferase transcription. Furthermore, real-time and RT (reverse transcription)–PCR analyses confirmed that overexpression of USF1 activates endogenous GATA5 gene expression in human bronchial epithelial cells. The present study provides the first evidence that USF1 activates GATA5 gene expression through the E-box motif and suggests a potential mechanism (disruption of the E-box) by which GATA5 promoter methylation reduces GATA5 expression in cancer.


1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 4079-4082 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Deng ◽  
Y Li ◽  
K Jolliff ◽  
L F Johnson

The promoter region of the mouse thymidylate synthase gene was analyzed by deletion and site-directed mutagenesis. Elimination of an upstream Sp1 element reduced expression threefold, whereas elimination of an adenovirus upstream stimulatory factor element had little effect. All of the upstream elements that are essential for promoter activity are located within 22 nucleotides of the first transcriptional initiation site.


1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 4079-4082
Author(s):  
T Deng ◽  
Y Li ◽  
K Jolliff ◽  
L F Johnson

The promoter region of the mouse thymidylate synthase gene was analyzed by deletion and site-directed mutagenesis. Elimination of an upstream Sp1 element reduced expression threefold, whereas elimination of an adenovirus upstream stimulatory factor element had little effect. All of the upstream elements that are essential for promoter activity are located within 22 nucleotides of the first transcriptional initiation site.


1999 ◽  
Vol 341 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin QIAN ◽  
Elizabeth N. KAYTOR ◽  
Howard C. TOWLE ◽  
L. Karl OLSON

The homeobox gene Pdx-1 plays a key role in the development of the pancreas. In the adult, however, expression of the Pdx-1 gene is restricted to pancreatic β-cells and endocrine cells of duodenal epithelium. Recently, the transcription factor, upstream stimulatory factor (USF), has been shown to bind invitro to a mutationally sensitive E-box motif within the 5′-flanking region of the Pdx-1 gene [Sharma, Leonard, Lee, Chapman, Leiter and Montminy (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 2294-2299]. In the present study, we show that USF not only binds to the Pdx-1 gene promoter but also functionally regulates the expression of the Pdx-1 gene in differentiated pancreatic β-cells. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of a dominant negative form of USF2 decreased binding of endogenous USF to the E-box element by ~ 90%. This reduction in endogenous USF binding led to a greater than 50% decrease in Pdx-1 gene promoter activity, which, in turn, resulted in marked reductions in Pdx-1 mRNA and protein levels. Importantly, the lower Pdx-1 protein levels led to a greater than 50% reduction in Pdx-1 binding activity to the A3 element on the insulin gene promoter, and a significant reduction in insulin mRNA levels. Overall, our results show that USF functionally regulates Pdx-1 gene expression in differentiated pancreatic β-cells and provide the first functional data for a role of USF in the regulation of a normal cellular gene.


Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 144 (4) ◽  
pp. 1455-1462
Author(s):  
José L Barra ◽  
Mario R Mautino ◽  
Alberto L Rosa

eth-1r a thermosensitive allele of the Neurospora crassa S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) synthetase gene that confers ethionine resistance, has been cloned and sequenced. Replacement of an aspartic amino acid residue (D48 → N48), perfectly conserved in prokaryotic, fungal and higher eukaryotic AdoMet synthetases, was found responsible for both thermosensitivity and ethionine resistance conferred by eth-1r. Gene fusion constructs, designed to overexpress eth-1r in vivo, render transformant cells resistant to ethionine. Dominance of ethionine resistance was further demonstrated in eth-1  +/eth-1r partial diploids carrying identical gene doses of both alleles. Heterozygous eth-1  +/eth-1r cells have, at the same time, both the thermotolerance conferred by eth-1  + and the ethionine-resistant phenotype conferred by eth-1r. AdoMet levels and AdoMet synthetase activities were dramatically decreased in heterozygous eth-1  +/eth-1r cells. We propose that this negative effect exerted by eth-1r results from the in vivo formation of heteromeric eth-1  +/eth-1r AdoMet synthetase molecules.


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