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A Kralli

Publications and source records attributed to A Kralli.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Regulation of the transcriptional coactivator PGC-1 via MAPK-sensitive interaction with a repressor.

Mechanisms and signals that regulate transcriptional coactivators are still largely unknown. Here we provide genetic evidence for a repressor that interacts with and regulates the nuclear receptor coactivator PGC-1. Association with the repressor requires a PGC-1 protein interface that is similar to the one used by nuclear receptors. Removal of the repressor enhances PGC-1 coactivation of steroid hormone responses. We also provide evidence that interaction of the repressor with PGC-1 is regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Activation of the MAPK p38 enhances the activity of wild-type PGC-1 but not of a PGC-1 variant that no longer interacts with the repressor. Finally, p38 activation enhances steroid hormone response in a PGC-1-dependent manner. Our data suggest a model where the repressor and nuclear receptors compete for recruiting PGC-1 to an inactive and active state, respectively. Extracellular signals such as nuclear receptor ligands or activators of the MAPK p38 can shift the equilibrium between the two states.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PGC-1, a versatile coactivator.

PGC-1 was originally identified as a transcriptional coactivator of the nuclear receptor PPARgamma. The expression pattern and induction by exposure to cold have implicated PGC-1 in the regulation of energy metabolism and adaptive thermogenesis. Remarkably, PGC-1 overexpression can induce mitochondrial biogenesis and functions. Recent studies show that PGC-1 regulates the activity of several nuclear receptors and other transcription factors, and thus acts in a broader context than previously anticipated. Furthermore, PGC-1 displays the striking ability to interact with components of the splicing machinery. PGC-1 could therefore allow coordinated regulation of transcription and splicing in response to signals relaying metabolic needs. These novel findings are discussed in the context of the proposed physiological functions of PGC-1.

Animals↗

A genetic analysis of glucocorticoid receptor signaling. Identification and characterization of ligand-effect modulators in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

To find novel components in the glucocorticoid signal transduction pathway, we performed a yeast genetic screen to identify ligand-effect modulators (LEMs), proteins that modulate the cellular response to hormone. We isolated several mutants that conferred increased glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activity in response to dexamethasone and analyzed two of them in detail. These studies identify two genes, LEM3 and LEM4, which correspond to YNL323w and ERG6, respectively. LEM3 is a putative transmembrane protein of unknown function, and ERG6 is a methyltransferase in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway. Analysis of null mutants indicates that LEM3 and ERG6 act at different steps in the GR signal transduction pathway.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

A tissue-specific coactivator of steroid receptors, identified in a functional genetic screen.

Steroid receptors mediate responses to lipophilic hormones in a tissue- and ligand-specific manner. To identify nonreceptor proteins that confer specificity or regulate steroid signaling, we screened a human cDNA library in a steroid-responsive yeast strain. One of the identified cDNAs, isolated in the screen as ligand effect modulator 6, showed no homology to yeast or Caenorhabditis elegans proteins but high similarity to the recently described mouse coactivator PGC-1 and was accordingly termed hPGC-1. The hPGC-1 DNA encodes a nuclear protein that is expressed in a tissue-specific manner and carries novel motifs for transcriptional regulators. The expression of hPGC-1 in mammalian cells enhanced potently the transcriptional response to several steroids in a receptor-specific manner. hPGC-1-mediated enhancement required the receptor hormone-binding domain and was dependent on agonist ligands. Functional analysis of hPGC-1 revealed two domains that interact with steroid receptors in a hormone-dependent manner, a potent transcriptional activation function, and a putative dimerization domain. Our findings suggest a regulatory function for hPGC-1 as a tissue-specific coactivator for a subset of nuclear receptors.

Animals↗

A nucleoside transporter from Trypanosoma brucei involved in drug resistance.

Drug resistance of pathogens is an increasing problem whose underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Cellular uptake of the major drugs against Trypanosoma brucei spp., the causative agents of sleeping sickness, is thought to occur through an unusual, so far unidentified adenosine transporter. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used in a functional screen to clone a gene (TbAT1) from Trypanosoma brucei brucei that encodes a nucleoside transporter. When expressed in yeast, TbAT1 enabled adenosine uptake and conferred susceptibility to melaminophenyl arsenicals. Drug-resistant trypanosomes harbor a defective TbAT1 variant. The molecular identification of the entry route of trypanocides opens the way to approaches for diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant sleeping sickness.

Adenosine↗

Genetic separation of FK506 susceptibility and drug transport in the yeast Pdr5 ATP-binding cassette multidrug resistance transporter.

Overexpression of the yeast Pdr5 ATP-binding cassette transporter leads to pleiotropic drug resistance to a variety of structurally unrelated cytotoxic compounds. To identify Pdr5 residues involved in substrate recognition and/or drug transport, we used a combination of random in vitro mutagenesis and phenotypic screening to isolate novel mutant Pdr5 transporters with altered substrate specificity. A plasmid library containing randomly mutagenized PDR5 genes was transformed into appropriate drug-sensitive yeast cells followed by phenotypic selection of Pdr5 mutants. Selected mutant Pdr5 transporters were analyzed with respect to their expression levels, subcellular localization, drug resistance profiles to cycloheximide, rhodamines, antifungal azoles, steroids, and sensitivity to the inhibitor FK506. DNA sequencing of six PDR5 mutant genes identified amino acids important for substrate recognition, drug transport, and specific inhibition of the Pdr5 transporter. Mutations were found in each nucleotide-binding domain, the transmembrane domain 10, and, most surprisingly, even in predicted extracellular hydrophilic loops. At least some point mutations identified appear to influence folding of Pdr5, suggesting that the folded structure is a major substrate specificity determinant. Surprisingly, a S1360F exchange in transmembrane domain 10 not only caused limited substrate specificity, but also abolished Pdr5 susceptibility to inhibition by the immunosuppressant FK506. This is the first report of a mutation in a yeast ATP-binding cassette transporter that allows for the functional separation of substrate transport and inhibitor susceptibility.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

An FK506-sensitive transporter selectively decreases intracellular levels and potency of steroid hormones.

Steroid hormones bind and activate intracellular receptors that are ligand-regulated transcription factors. Mammalian steroid receptors can confer hormone-dependent transcriptional enhancement when expressed in yeast, thereby enabling the genetic identification of nonreceptor proteins that function in the hormone signal transduction pathway. Pdr5p (Lem1/Sts1/Ydr1p), a yeast ATP-binding cassette transporter, selectively decreases the intracellular levels of particular steroid hormones, indicating that active processes can affect the passage of steroids across biological membranes. In yeast, the immunosuppressive drug FK506 inhibited Pdr5p, thereby potentiating activation of the glucocorticoid receptor by dexamethasone, a ligand that is exported by Pdr5p. In mammalian L929 cells but not in HeLa cells, FK506 potentiated dexamethasone responsiveness and increased dexamethasone accumulation, without altering the hormone-binding properties of the glucocorticoid receptor. We suggest that an FK506-sensitive transporter in L929 cells selectively decreases intracellular hormone levels and, consequently, the potency of particular steroids. Thus, steroid transporters may modulate, in a cell-specific manner, an initial step in signaling, the availability of hormone to the receptor.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

LEM1, an ATP-binding-cassette transporter, selectively modulates the biological potency of steroid hormones.

The rat glucocorticoid receptor confers hormone-dependent transcriptional enhancement when expressed in yeast, thereby enabling the genetic identification of nonreceptor proteins that function in the hormone signal-transduction pathway. We isolated a yeast mutant, lem1, with increased sensitivity to dexamethasone and triamcinolone acetonide; responsiveness to a third agonist, deoxycorticosterone, is unaffected. Cloning of wild-type LEM1 revealed a putative transport protein of the ATP-binding cassette family. Dexamethasone accumulation is increased in lem1 cells, suggesting that wild-type LEM1 decreases dexamethasone potency by exporting this ligand. LEM1 appears to affect certain steroids and not others. We propose that transporters like LEM1 can selectively modulate the intracellular levels of steroid hormones. Differential activities of such transporters in mammalian cells might regulate hormone availability and thereby hormone signaling in a cell-type specific manner.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Down-regulation of MHC class I antigen in insulinoma cells controlled by the R1 element of the H-2 enhancer.

Tumorigenesis in mice of the rat insulin promoter [RIP]-simian virus 40 tumor antigen [SV40 Tag] transgenic lineages, RIP1-Tag2 and RIP1-Tag4, is a process initiated by expression of SV40 Tag in pancreatic beta cells, evolution of islet cell hyperplasia and insulinoma appearance. Analysis of major histocompatibility complex [MHC] class I gene expression during this process revealed a normal level of MHC class I molecules at the surface of pancreatic islet cells of RIP1-Tag4 mice, while hyperplastic islets from the same mice contained cells expressing a normal level and cells expressing a low level of MHC class I antigen. Insulinomas themselves expressed very low levels or no MHC class I gene product. Thus, down-regulation of MHC class I gene appears to accompany tumor progression of SV40 Tag-transformed beta islet cells. MHC class I antigen expression in a series of clonally derived cell lines of beta cell origin from different SV40 Tag-induced insulinomas ranged from quite low to undetectable, although expression was inducible by interferon-gamma. Nuclear run-on and transient transfection analyses indicated that expression of the MHC class I gene in these cells in controlled at the transcriptional level, and that the decreased expression is paralleled by reduced binding of transcription factors to the R1 element of the H-2 enhancer.

Animals↗

Down-regulation of the major histocompatibility complex class I enhancer in adenovirus type 12-transformed cells is accompanied by an increase in factor binding.

In transformed cells, the E1A gene of adenovirus type 12 (Ad12) represses transcription of class I genes of the major histocompatibility complex. The tumorigenic potential of Ad12-transformed cells correlates with this diminished class I expression. In contrast, the E1A gene of the nontumorigenic Ad5 does not affect class I expression. We show here that a transfected reporter chloramphenicol acetyltransferase plasmid driven by an H-2K promoter (-1049 bp) was expressed at much lower levels in Ad12- than in Ad5-transformed mouse cells. Analysis of mutant constructs revealed that only 83 bp of H-2 DNA, consisting of the enhancer juxtaposed to the basal promoter, was sufficient for this differential expression. Whereas the H-2 basal promoter alone was somewhat less active in Ad12-transformed cells, the H-2 TATA box itself did not appear to be important. The H-2 enhancer proved to be the principal element in Ad12 E1A-mediated repression, since (i) substitution of the H-2 enhancer by simian virus 40 enhancers overcame the repression, and (ii) when juxtaposed to either its native or heterologous basal promoters, the H-2 enhancer was functional in Ad5- but not Ad12-transformed cells. Mobility shift assays showed that there is a DNA-binding activity to the 5' site (R2 element) of the enhancer that is significantly higher in Ad12- than in Ad5-transformed cells. These results suggest that decreased class I enhancer activity in Ad12-transformed cells may, at least in part, be due to the higher levels of an enhancer-specific factor, possibly acting as a repressor.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗

Negative regulation of the major histocompatibility complex class I enhancer in adenovirus type 12-transformed cells via a retinoic acid response element.

In cells transformed by the highly oncogenic adenovirus type 12 (Ad12), the viral E1A proteins mediate transcriptional repression of the major histocompatibility class I genes. In contrast, class I transcription is not reduced in cells transformed by the nononcogenic Ad5. The decreased rate of class I transcription is, at least in part, the result of a reduced major histocompatibility complex class I enhancer activity in Ad12-transformed cells and correlates with an increase in the levels of a DNA-binding activity to the R2 element of the enhancer (R. Ge, A. Kralli, R. Weinmann, and R. P. Ricciardi, J. Virol. 66:6969-6978, 1992). Employing transient transfection assays, we now provide direct evidence that the R2 element can confer repression in Ad12- but not Ad5-transformed cells. Repression by R2 was observed only in the presence of the positive enhancer element R1 and was dependent on (i) the number of the R2 elements and (ii) the relative arrangement of R2 and R1 elements. The putative R2-binding repressor protein, R2BF, was similar in molecular weight and binding specificity to members of the thyroid hormone/retinoic acid (RA) receptor family. RA treatment abrogated the R2-mediated repression in Ad12-transformed cells and had no effect on the activity of R2/R1-containing promoters in Ad5-transformed cells. These results are consistent with the presence of an R2-binding repressor in Ad12-transformed cells. In the absence of RA, the repressor compromises enhancer activity by interfering with the activity of the positive cis element R1. RA treatment of Ad12-transformed cells may render the repressor inactive.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗

Direct interaction between adenovirus E1A protein and the TATA box binding transcription factor IID.

Adenovirus E1A has long been known to activate/repress cellular and viral transcription. The transcriptional activity of nuclear extracts was depleted after chromatography on immobilized E1A protein columns that specifically retained the transcription factor (TF) IID. Stronger direct interactions between E1A and human TFIID than between E1A and yeast TFIID suggest that the unique sequences of the human protein may be involved. We have demonstrated that this interaction occurs directly between bacterially produced E1A and bacterially produced human TFIID in a protein blot assay. We propose that E1A protein may transduce regulatory signals from upstream activators to basal elements of the transcriptional machinery by contacting TFIID.

Adenovirus Early Proteins↗

The sensitivity of an actinic reticuloid cell strain to near-ultraviolet radiation and its modification by trolox-C, a vitamin E analogue.

Near-UV radiation (365 nm)-induced lethality, as measured by colony-forming ability, showed an actinic reticuloid cell strain to be sensitive relative to normal human fibroblasts, when irradiated at 25 degrees C. This effect was not seen after far-UV (254 nm) irradiation. Trolox-C, a water-soluble analogue of vitamin E, incorporated in the pre-irradiation growth medium or in the post-irradiation plating medium, protected the actinic reticuloid cells to the extent that they were as resistant as normal cells. Plating medium containing Trolox-C did not provide differential protection against inactivation of the two cell strains by wavelengths in the far-UV region. The protection provided by Trolox-C, an analogue of the natural antioxidant vitamin E, suggests some free radical involvement in the aetiology of the disease.

Antioxidants↗