PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G S Stein

Publications and source records attributed to G S Stein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

The nuclear matrix protein NMP-1 is the transcription factor YY1.

NMP-1 was initially identified as a nuclear matrix-associated DNA-binding factor that exhibits sequence-specific recognition for the site IV regulatory element of a histone H4 gene. This distal promoter domain is a nuclear matrix interaction site. In the present study, we show that NMP-1 is the multifunctional transcription factor YY1. Gel-shift and Western blot analyses demonstrate that NMP-1 is immunoreactive with YY1 antibody. Furthermore, purified YY1 protein specifically recognizes site IV and reconstitutes the NMP-1 complex. Western blot and gel-shift analyses indicate that YY1 is present within the nuclear matrix. In situ immunofluorescence studies show that a significant fraction of YY1 is localized in the nuclear matrix, principally but not exclusively associated with residual nucleoli. Our results confirm that NMP-1/YY1 is a ubiquitous protein that is present in both human cells and in rat osteosarcoma ROS 17/2.8 cells. The finding that NMP-1 is identical to YY1 suggests that this transcriptional regulator may mediate gene-matrix interactions. Our results are consistent with the concept that the nuclear matrix may functionally compartmentalize the eukaryotic nucleus to support regulation of gene expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Expression of cell cycle regulatory factors in differentiating osteoblasts: postproliferative up-regulation of cyclins B and E.

The representation of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) was analyzed during progressive development of the bone cell phenotype in cultures of normal diploid rat calvarial osteoblasts. Three developmental stages were examined: (a) proliferation; (b) monolayer confluency; and (c) mineralization of the bone extracellular matrix. We demonstrate that the presence of cyclins and cdks is not restricted to the proliferation period. Consistent with their role in cell cycle progression, cdc2 and cdk2 decrease postproliferatively. However, cdk4 and cyclins A, B, and D1 persist in confluent cells. Cyclin E is significantly up-regulated during the extracellular matrix mineralization developmental period. Examination of the cytoplasmic levels of these cell cycle regulatory proteins indicates a marked increase in cyclin B in the late differentiation stage. The elevation of nuclear cyclin E and cytoplasmic cyclin B is not observed in osteoblasts maintained under culture conditions that do not support differentiation. Furthermore, treatment with transforming growth factor beta for 48 h during the proliferation period renders the cells incompetent for differentiation and abrogates the postproliferative up-regulation of cyclins B and E. Density-induced growth inhibition of ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells is not accompanied by up-regulation of nuclear cyclin E and cytoplasmic cyclin B when compared to the proliferation period. This observation is consistent with abrogation of both growth control and differentiation regulatory mechanisms in tumor cells. These results suggest that cell cycle regulatory proteins function not only during proliferation but may also play a role in normal diploid osteoblast differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The tissue-specific nuclear matrix protein, NMP-2, is a member of the AML/CBF/PEBP2/runt domain transcription factor family: interactions with the osteocalcin gene promoter.

The nuclear matrix protein, NMP-2, was originally identified as an osteoblast-specific DNA-binding complex localized exclusively to the nuclear matrix. NMP-2 was shown to recognize two binding sites, site A (nt-605 to -599) and site B (nt -441 to -435), in the rat bone-specific osteocalcin gene promoter. This study shows that the NMP-2 binding sites A and B as well as a third NMP-2 binding site (nt -135 to -130) constitute a consensus sequence, ATGCTGGT, and represent an AML-1 recognition motif. AML-1 is a member of the AML transcription factor family which is associated with acute myelogenous leukemia and binds to the sequence TGCTGGT via its DNA-binding runt domain. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays reveal that a component of NMP-2 is a member of the AML/PEBP2/runt domain transcription factor family based on cross-competition with AML-1 consensus oligonucleotide. Limited immunoreactivity of NMP-2 with a polyclonal N-terminal AML-1 antibody and inability of the AML-1 partner protein CBF-beta to form complexes with NMP-2 indicate that NMP-2 is not identical to AML-1 but represents a variant AML/PEBP2/runt domain protein. Western and Northern blots reveal the presence of multiple AML-related proteins and AML-1 transcripts in several osseous cell lines. Furthermore, our results indicate that AML family members may selectively partition between nuclear matrix and nonmatrix compartments. Because proteins that contain a runt domain are implicated in tissue-specific transcriptional regulation, our results support the concept that the nuclear matrix mediates osteoblast-specific expression of the osteocalcin gene.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Activation of a cell-cycle-regulated histone gene by the oncogenic transcription factor IRF-2.

The human histone H4 gene FO108 is regulated during the cell cycle with a peak in transcription during early S phase. The cell-cycle element (CCE) required for H4 histone activation is a sequence of 11 base pairs that binds a protein factor in electrophoretic mobility shift assays that has been designated histone nuclear factor M (HiNF-M). Here we report the purification of HiNF-M, and show it to be a protein of relative molecular mass (M(r)) 48K that is identical to interferon (IFN) regulatory factor 2 (IRF-2), a negative transcriptional regulator of the IFN response. Recombinant IRF-2 (as well as the related protein IRF-1 (ref. 5)) binds the CCE specifically and activates transcription of this H4 histone gene. IRF-2 has been shown to have oncogenic potential, and our results demonstrate a link between IRF-2 and a gene that is functionally coupled to DNA replication and cell-cycle progression at the G1/S phase transition.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Proximal promoter binding protein contributes to developmental, tissue-restricted expression of the rat osteocalcin gene.

Osteocalcin is a 6 kD tissue-specific calcium binding protein associated with the bone extracellular matrix. The osteocalcin gene is developmentally expressed in postoproliferative rat osteoblasts with regulation at least in part at the transcriptional level. Multiple, basal promoter and enhancer elements which control transcriptional activity in response to physiological mediators, including steroid hormones, have been identified in the modularly organized osteocalcin gene promoter. The osteocalcin box (OC box) is a highly conserved basal regulatory element residing between nucleotides -99 and -76 of the proximal promoter. We recently established by in vivo competition analysis that protein interactions at the CCAAT motif, which is the central core of the rat OC box, are required for support of basal transcription [Heinrichs et al. J Cell Biochem 53:240-250, 1993]. In this study, by the combined utilization of electrophoretic mobility shift analysis, UV cross linking, and DNA affinity chromatography, we have identified a protein that binds to the rat OC box. Results are presented that support involvement of the OC box-binding protein in regulating selective expression of the osteocalcin gene during differentiation of the rat osteoblast phenotype and suggest that this protein is tissue restricted.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

In vivo occupancy of histone gene proximal promoter elements reflects gene copy number-dependent titratable transactivation factors and cross-species compatibility of regulatory sequences.

To assess systematically the structural and functional aspects of histone gene transcription within a chromosomal context, we stably integrated an extensive set of human histone H4 gene constructs into mouse C127 cells. Levels of expression were determined by S1 nuclease protection assays for multiple mouse monoclonal cell lines containing these human H4 genes. For each cell line, we quantitated the number of integrated human H4 genes by Southern blot analysis. The results indicate that the expression of the human H4 gene is in part copy number dependent at low gene dosages. However, the level of expression varies among different cell lines containing similar numbers of copies of the same H4 gene construct. This result suggests that position-dependent chromosomal integration effects contribute to H4 gene transcription, consistent with the roles of long-range gene organization and nuclear architecture in gene regulation. At high copy number, the level of human H4 gene expression per copy decreased, and endogenous mouse H4 mRNA levels were also reduced. Furthermore, in vivo occupancy at the human H4 gene immediate 5' regulatory elements, as defined by genomic fingerprinting, showed copy number-dependent protein/DNA interactions. Hence, human and mouse H4 genes compete for titratable transcription factors in a cellular environment. Taken together, these results indicate cross-species compatibility and suggest limited representation in vivo of the factors involved in regulating histone H4 gene transcription.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Properties of blood-contacting surfaces of clinically implanted cardiac assist devices: gene expression, matrix composition, and ultrastructural characterization of cellular linings.

The development of implantable cardiac assist devices for prolonged circulatory support has been impeded by the problem of excessive thrombogenesis on the blood-prosthetic interface, with subsequent embolization. To overcome this obstacle, a ventricular assist device has been developed with textured blood-contacting surfaces to encourage the formation of a tightly adherent, hemocompatible, biological lining. In this study, we applied molecular biological techniques, in conjunction with conventional ultrastructural and biochemical techniques, to characterize the biological linings associated with the blood-contacting surfaces of 11 of these devices, which had been clinically implanted for durations ranging from 21 to 324 days. No clinical thromboembolic events or pump-related thromboembolism occurred. Biological linings developed on the textured surfaces composed of patches of cellular tissue intermingled with areas of compact fibrinous material. In addition, islands of collagenous tissue containing fibroblast-like cells appeared after 30 days of implantation. Many of these cells contained microfilaments with dense bodies indicative of myofibroblasts. RNA hybridization analyses demonstrated that the colonizing cells actively expressed genes encoding proteins for cell proliferation (histones), adhesion (fibronectin), cytoskeleton (actin, vimentin) and extracellular matrix (types I and III collagen). Linings, which never exceeded 150 microns in thickness, remained free of pathological calcification. Textured blood-contacting surfaces induced the formation of a thin, tightly adherent, viable lining which exhibited excellent long-term hemocompatibility.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Bipartite structure of the proximal promoter of a human H4 histone gene.

The proximal promoter of the human H4 histone gene FO108 contains two regions of in vivo protein-DNA interaction, Sites I and II. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays using a radiolabeled DNA probe revealed that several proteins present in HeLa cell nuclear extracts bound specifically to Site I (nt-125 to nt-86). The most prominent complex, designated HiNF-C, and a complex of greater mobility, HiNF-C', were specifically compatable by an Sp1 consensus oligonucleotide. Fractionation of HiNF-C using wheat germ agglutinin affinity chromatography suggested that, like Sp1, HiNF-C contains N-acetylglucosamine moieties. Two minor complexes of even greater mobility, designated HiNF-E and F, were compatable by ATF consensus oligonucleotides. A DNA probe carrying a site-specific mutation in the distal portion of Site I failed to bind HiNF-E, indicating that this protein associated specifically to this region. UV cross-linking analysis showed that several proteins of different molecular weights interact specifically with Site I. These data indicate that Site I possesses a bipartite structure and that multiple proteins present in HeLa cell nuclear extracts interact specifically with Site I sequences.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Histone H4 proximal promoter mediates a complex transcriptional response during differentiation of 3T3L1 adipocytes.

We have investigated the promoter element(s) required by the cell cycle regulated FO108 human histone H4 gene for control of gene expression during adipocyte proliferation and differentiation. Stable 3T3L1 cell lines were established that express fusion genes in which the histone H4 promoter is joined to chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (cat) as a reporter gene. Expression of the H4CAT fusion genes was monitored in proliferating and confluent 3T3L1 preadipocytes and in differentiating 3T3L1 adipocytes. The results indicate that the H4 cell cycle element (CCE), which mediates S phase-specific stimulation of H4 gene transcription, is not required for transcriptional regulation during differentiation. Instead, a minimal H4 promoter (nucleotides -46 to -11) is sufficient to mediate the complex transcriptional response of H4 gene expression observed during the process of adipocyte differentiation of 3T3L1 cells. In addition, the data suggest that down-regulation of histone gene expression during cellular differentiation may be mediated by passive inactivation of the promoter due to loss of positive regulatory factor(s).

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1995

The influence of type I collagen on the development and maintenance of the osteoblast phenotype in primary and passaged rat calvarial osteoblasts: modification of expression of genes supporting cell growth, adhesion, and extracellular matrix mineralization.

Osteoblasts derived from Day 21 fetal rat calvaria grown on films of collagen type I exhibit an earlier and enhanced expression of the differentiated phenotype, compared to cells cultured on plastic. The temporal expression of genes characterizing three distinct periods of growth and differentiation are dramatically modified. During the initial proliferation period, expression of genes normally expressed at high levels on plastic (fibronectin, beta 1 integrin, and actin) was decreased from 50 to 70% in cells grown on collagen. Genes normally expressed at maximal levels in the postproliferative period (osteonectin, osteocalcin, and osteopontin) were up-regulated severalfold very early. Alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity was elevated 2- to 3-fold during the proliferation period, while mRNA levels remained low, suggesting post-transcriptional modifications. The most dramatic consequence of culture of cells on collagen is the accelerated and uniform mineralization of the matrix in contrast to the focal mineralization confined to bone nodules in cultures on plastic. Type I collagen supports maintenance of osteoblast phenotypic properties of passaged cells in the absence of glucocorticoid supplementation required for differentiation of osteoblasts subcultivated on plastic. Treatment of proliferating rat osteoblasts on plastic with 1,25(OH)2D3 blocks osteoblast differentiation and matrix mineralization. Although differentiation-related genes (alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin) were up-regulated by vitamin D, culture on the collagen matrix could not overcome the inhibition of mineralization. Taken together, these studies define the critical role of type I collagen in mediating the signaling cascade for expression of a mature osteoblast phenotype and mineralization of the extracellular matrix in a physiological manner.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1995

Developmental stage-specific cellular responses to vitamin D and glucocorticoids during differentiation of the osteoblast phenotype: interrelationship of morphology and gene expression by in situ hybridization.

Fetal rat calvarial-derived osteoblasts, in vitro, undergo a developmental sequence of events leading to bone tissue-like organization and osteoblast differentiation. Previous studies have documented temporal expression of genes reflecting stages of osteoblast phenotype development in relation to tissue organization. Two steroid hormones are known to modify the developmental sequence; 1,25(OH)2D3 can block differentiation when added to proliferating cells, while glucocorticoid addition to proliferating cultures increases the population of cells competent to produce a bone-like matrix and accelerates the differentiation time course. We have addressed the mechanisms contributing to these observations at the single cell level by analysis of a growth-related gene (H4 histone which is coupled with DNA synthesis) and matrix-associated genes (collagen, osteopontin, and osteocalcin) in hormone-treated cells. Our results demonstrate (1) a window of responsiveness for modifications in phenotype development; (2) distinct morphological changes and selective modifications in gene expression in response to both hormones as a function of whether the cell is proliferating or differentiated; and (3) location of the cell with respect to the mineralized nodule was a contributing factor to the levels of gene expression and hormonal responses. In response to vitamin D, surface osteoblasts associated with the nodules became flattened, elongated, and aligned, reminiscent of a bone lining cell. In glucocorticoid-treated cultures, proliferating cells became cuboidal and nodule-associated differentiated cells were approximately one-third the size of control osteoblasts. We also find subsets of hormone-responsive cells in the proliferating cultures in response to glucocorticoid but not vitamin D. In postproliferative cultures, both hormones increased osteocalcin mRNA in the more differentiated osteoblasts associated with the mineralized matrix but no induction occurred in monolayer internodular cells. Osteopontin was induced by glucocorticoid in a larger population of cells. Thus, our studies at the single cell level show selective morphological changes and changes in the level of gene expression supporting the hypothesis that hormones have differential effects on osteoblasts in relation to their stage of phenotype development.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Genetic and environmental factors in premenstrual symptom reporting and its relationship to depression and a general neuroticism trait.

Previous work has indicated a genetic contribution to premenstrual symptom reporting, regularity and menarche but no genetic contribution to cycle length, and no consistent genetic contribution to premenstrual symptom reporting. This paper reports the results (n = 634) of multivariate genetic analysis in which premenstrual symptom reporting is included in a general personality factor along with extroversion (E), neuroticism (N) and depression (D). The results showed that N, E, D and PMS all fitted on a common personality factor. There was no evidence for a specific genetic contribution of depression or premenstrual symptom reporting over and above those shown in the common personality factor. There were, however, unique/specific environmental contributions for PMS. For E and N, in contrast, both unique genetic and environmental contributions were apparent.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Control of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor-mediated enhancement of osteocalcin gene transcription: effects of perturbing phosphorylation pathways by okadaic acid and staurosporine.

The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (vitamin D) receptor (VDR) is a key trans-activating protein that mediates calcium regulation as well as cellular proliferation and differentiation. Phosphorylation of the VDR contributes significantly to its functional activity, but the specific mechanisms that mediate this regulation are not well understood. Phosphorylation may influence DNA binding, ligand binding, and protein-protein interactions, including heterodimerization and/or transactivation functions. We used a protein kinase C inhibitor, staurosporine (ST), and an inhibitor of serine-threonine phosphatases, okadaic acid (OA), to elucidate the contribution of VDR phosphorylation to vitamin D-mediated transcription of the osteocalcin (OC) gene. Vitamin D-induced transcription was assayed in transfected ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells using chloraminphenicol acetyltransferase constructs containing the vitamin D-responsive element (VDRE) at its native locus in the rat OC promoter as well as fused to a heterologous promoter. Both ST and OA inhibit VDRE-mediated and vitamin D-dependent enhancement of OC gene transcription as well as OC biosynthesis, as assessed by RIAs. Results from gel mobility shift and Western blot analyses using nuclear proteins from ROS 17/2.8 cells show that binding of the VDR-retinoid-X receptor heterodimer complex to the OC VDRE is not inhibited in the presence of ST. In contrast, OA does inhibit the formation of complexes interacting with both the OC and osteopontin VDREs; immunoprecipitation studies using 32P-labeled ROS 17/2.8 cells reveal that OA treatment result in ligand-independent hyperphosphorylation of the VDR. Our results suggest that two distinct phosphorylation events modulate rat VDR function. One event is related to transactivation, and the other is also critical to the VDRE-binding activity of VDR-retinoid X receptor-DNA complexes with consequential effects on transactivation.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1995

Development of the osteoblast phenotype: molecular mechanisms mediating osteoblast growth and differentiation.

The formation of bone tissue involves multiple activities of the osteoblast. The combined application of molecular, biochemical, histochemical and ultrastructural approaches has defined stages in the development of the osteoblast phenotype with each subpopulation of cells exhibiting unique morphologic and functional properties in relation to the ordered deposition of the mineralized bone extracellular matrix (ECM). Peak levels of expressed genes reflect a maturational sequence of osteoblast growth and differentiation characterized by three principal periods: proliferation, ECM maturation and mineralization. A plethora of new information in the past several years provides the basis for insight into molecular mechanisms regulating the development and activities of differentiating osteoblasts. These new concepts will be discussed within the context of understanding cellular responses of bone tissue. To be considered are the following: 1) maturational stages of the osteoblast reflected by the selective expression of transcription factors (e.g., oncogenes, cyclins, homeodomain proteins) and phenotypic genes that provide signals for differentiation through the osteoblast lineage; 2) role of the extracellular matrix in mediating osteoblast growth and differentiation; 3) osteoblast stage specific responses to physiologic mediators (e.g., growth factors and hormones); 4) the developmentally regulated expression and selective responses of osteoblast phenotypic genes are supported by cooperative, synergistic and/or antagonistic activities at multiple basal and enhancer or suppressor sequences in gene promoters; and 5) deregulation of these control mechanisms in transformed osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Transcriptional control of the tissue-specific, developmentally regulated osteocalcin gene requires a binding motif for the Msx family of homeodomain proteins.

The OC box of the rat osteocalcin promoter (nt -99 to -76) is the principal proximal regulatory element contributing to both tissue-specific and developmental control of osteocalcin gene expression. The central motif of the OC box includes a perfect consensus DNA binding site for certain homeodomain proteins. Homeodomain proteins are transcription factors that direct proper development by regulating specific temporal and spatial patterns of gene expression. We therefore addressed the role of the homeodomain binding motif in the activity of the OC promoter. In this study, by the combined application of mutagenesis and site-specific protein recognition analysis, we examined interactions of ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cell nuclear proteins and purified Msx-1 homeodomain protein with the OC box. We detected a series of related specific protein-DNA interactions, a subset of which were inhibited by antibodies directed against the Msx-1 homeodomain but which also recognize the Msx-2 homeodomain. Our results show that the sequence requirements for binding the Msx-1 or Msx-2 homeodomain closely parallel those necessary for osteocalcin gene promoter activity in vivo. This functional relationship was demonstrated by transient expression in ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells of a series of osteocalcin promoter (nt -1097 to +24)-reporter gene constructs containing mutations within and flanking the homeodomain binding site of the OC box. Northern blot analysis of several bone-related cell types showed that all of the cells expressed msx-1, whereas msx-2 expression was restricted to cells transcribing osteocalcin. Taken together, our results suggest a role for Msx-1 and -2 or related homeodomain proteins in transcription of the osteocalcin gene.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

In vivo occupancy of the vitamin D responsive element in the osteocalcin gene supports vitamin D-dependent transcriptional upregulation in intact cells.

The steroid hormone vitamin D is a principal mediator of skeletal homeostasis. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment of ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells results in a ligand-dependent increase in transcription of the bone-specific osteocalcin gene. This transcriptional upregulation requires the positive cis-acting vitamin D responsive element (VDRE). We have used the ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction to demonstrate that protein occupancy of the VDRE within the intact cell correlates with increased synthesis of osteocalcin transcripts. These protein-DNA contacts were not present in the absence of vitamin D or in osteosarcoma cells (ROS 24.1) lacking the vitamin D receptor. Our results establish in intact cells the requirement for both ligand- and receptor-dependent occupancy of the VDRE for vitamin D responsive enhancement of osteocalcin gene transcription.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Position and orientation-selective silencer in protein-coding sequences of the rat osteocalcin gene.

Osteocalcin (OC) is a bone-specific protein which is expressed postproliferatively by osteoblasts during late stages of differentiation. We have found that a silencer element is present within the rat OC gene (between nt +39 and +104), overlapping the OC signal prepropeptide-coding sequence. The presence of this sequence in OC promoter-CAT reporter constructs suppresses promoter activity in transiently transfected proliferating osteoblasts, which do not express OC, by up to 50-fold. This is the first demonstration of contribution from protein-coding sequences to silencing of animal genes. The element appears to be bipartite; silencer activity requires both the protein-coding sequence +39 to +63 and the +93 to +104 exon 1/intron 1 border region. Both of these domains contain sequences highly similar to silencer motifs in several other genes, including chicken lysozyme as well as rat collagen type II, insulin, and growth hormone. OC silencer activity is fully retained when the element is placed outside the RNA-coding region, 3' but not 5' of the OC-CAT fusion gene. Repression activity is orientation independent in the native position but requires the native orientation when located in 3' extragenic positions. The silencer does not inhibit the activity of the heterologous SV40 early promoter. These results suggest interaction between the transcribed silencer and specific OC promoter element(s) residing farther upstream. The OC transcribed silencer may contribute to developmental control of OC expression.

Animals↗