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Transcription factor SOX18 is expressed in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions and regulates DNA synthesis and vascular cell growth.

OBJECTIVE: SOX18, a member of the SOX gene family (SRY-like 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl box gene), is a transcription factor expressed in the development of blood vessels during embryogenesis. We analyzed SOX18 expression in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions and investigated its potential function in vascular cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: In advanced human coronary atherosclerotic lesions, SOX18 immunostaining was localized in endothelial cells (on the luminal surface, in vasa vasorum, and in intimal neovessels) and in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) scattered in the intima, colocalizing with proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In cell cultures, SOX18 was mainly localized in subconfluent and denuded areas. Significant SOX18 mRNA levels (by Northern blot analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) were detected in cell cultures from human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human VSMCs. Antisense SOX18 inhibited DNA synthesis ([3H]thymidine incorporation) and vascular cell growth. Antisense SOX18 also significantly reduced VSMC regrowth after injury in an in vitro model of wound repair. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that SOX18 is involved in vascular cell growth and suggest that this transcription factor may play a role in atherosclerosis.

Cell Division↗

Metastasis-inducing dna regulates the expression of the osteopontin gene by binding the transcription factor Tcf-4.

Small 1,000-bp fragments of genomic DNA obtained from human malignant breast cancer cell lines when transfected into a benign rat mammary cell line enhance transcription of the osteopontin gene and thereby cause the cells to metastasize in syngeneic rats. To identify the molecular events underlying this process, transient cotransfections of an osteopontin promoter-reporter construct and fragments of one metastasis-inducing DNA (Met-DNA) have identified the active components in the Met-DNA as the binding sites for the T-cell factor (Tcf) family of transcription factors. Incubation of cell extracts with active DNA fragments containing the sequence CAAAG caused retardation of their mobilities on polyacrylamide gels, and Western blotting identified Tcf-4, beta-catenin, and E-cadherin in the relevant DNA complexes in vitro. Transfection of an expression vector for Tcf-4 inhibited the stimulated activity of the osteopontin promoter-reporter construct caused by transiently transfected active fragments of Met-DNA or permanently transfected Met-DNA. This stimulated activity of the osteopontin promoter-reporter construct is accompanied by an increase in endogenous osteopontin mRNA but not in fos or actin mRNAs in the transfected cells. Permanent transfection of the benign rat mammary cell line with a 20-bp fragment from the Met-DNA containing the Tcf recognition sequence CAAAG caused an enhanced permanent production of endogenous osteopontin protein in vitro and induced the cells to metastasize in syngeneic rats in vivo. The corresponding fragment without the CAAAG sequence was without either effect. Therefore, the regulatory effect of the C9-Met-DNA is exerted, at least in part, by a CAAAG sequence that can sequester the endogenous inhibitory Tcf-4 and thereby promote transcription of osteopontin, the direct effector of metastasis in this system.

Animals↗

K+ regulates DNA binding of transcription factors to control gene expression related to neuronal apoptosis.

The loss of intracellular K+ promotes neuronal apoptosis. The mechanism by which K+ acts on apoptosis, however, remains largely unknown. Here we showed that K+ selectively affects DNA binding activity of transcriptional factors in vitro. Low K+ concentration ([K+]) promoted the DNA binding activity of p53 and Forkhead, proapoptotic transcriptional factors, whereas it inhibited that of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein, an anti-apoptotic transcriptional factor. In contrast, K+ did not affect the DNA binding activity of Ying Yang 1, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein and early growth response protein-1. The expression of bax and bim, proapoptotic genes known to be regulated by p53 and Forkhead, respectively, was enhanced in cortical neurons deprived of serum, a condition known to cause K+ loss, whereas the expression of c-fos, a cAMP-responsive element-binding protein target gene, was inhibited. Furthermore, blocking K+ channels suppressed the enhancement of bim mRNA level and the reduction of c-fos mRNA level induced by K+ loss, whereas it had no effect on the stimulation of Forkhead or cAMP-responsive element-binding protein induced by K+ loss. These results suggest that low intracellular [K+] selectively affects DNA binding activity of transcriptional factors to regulate gene expression related to neuronal apoptosis.

Animals↗

Ca2+ mobilization and capacitative Ca2+ entry regulate DNA synthesis in cultured chick retinal neuroepithelial cells.

Release of Ca2+ from intracellular Ca2+ stores (Ca2+ mobilization) and capacitative Ca2+ entry have been shown to be inducible in neuroepithelial cells of the early embryonic chick retina. Both types of Ca2+ responses decline parallel with retinal progenitor cell proliferation. To investigate their potential role in the regulation of neuroepithelial cell proliferation, we studied the effects of 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone (DBHQ), an inhibitor of the Ca2+ pump of intracellular Ca2+ stores, and of SK&F 96365, an inhibitor of capacitative Ca2+ entry, on DNA synthesis in retinal organ cultures from embryonic day 3 (E3) chicks and in dissociated cultures from E7 and E9 chick retinae. We demonstrate that both antagonists inhibit [3H]-thymidine incorporation in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cell viability or morphology. The inhibition of [3H]-thymidine incorporation by SK&F 96365 occurred in the same concentration range (IC50: approximately 4 microM) as the blockade of capacitative Ca2+ entry in the E3 retinal organ culture. At a concentration of 5 microM SK&F 96365. DNA synthesis was reduced by 71, 40 and 32% in the E3, E7 and E9 cultures, respectively. Application of DBHQ at concentrations which led to depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores also inhibited [3H]-thymidine incorporation with IC50 values of 20-30 microM in the different cultures. Our results suggest the involvement of Ca2+ mobilization and capacitative Ca2+ entry in the regulation of DNA synthesis in the developing neural retina.

Animals↗

Dimerization of NF-KB2 with RelA(p65) regulates DNA binding, transcriptional activation, and inhibition by an I kappa B-alpha (MAD-3).

Inducible expression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is regulated by a cellular transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B). NF-kappa B is composed of distinct subunits; five independent genes, NFKB1(p105), NFKB2(p100), RelA(p65), c-rel and relB, that encode related proteins that bind to kappa B DNA elements have been isolated. We have previously found that NFKB2(p49/p52) acts in concert with RelA(p65) to stimulate the HIV enhancer in Jurkat T-leukemia cells. Here we examine the biochemical basis for the transcriptional regulation of HIV by NFKB2. Using Scatchard analysis, we have determined the dissociation constants of homodimeric p49 and heterodimeric p49/p65 for binding to the HIV kappa B site. p49 has a approximately 18-fold-lower affinity for the HIV kappa B site (KD = 69.1 pM) than does the approximately 50-kDa protein NFKB1(p50) derived from p105 (KD = 3.9 pM). In contrast, the affinity of heterodimeric NFKB2(p49)/RelA(p65) for this site is approximately 6-fold higher (KD = 11.8 pM) than that of p49 alone. Consistent with these findings, in vitro transcription was stimulated 18-fold by the addition of preformed, heterodimeric NFKB2(p49)/RelA(p65) protein. Transcriptional activation of the HIV enhancer was also subject to regulation by recently cloned I kappa B-alpha(MAD-3). Recombinant I kappa B-alpha(MAD-3) inhibited the DNA binding activity of p65, p49/p65, and p50/p65 but stimulated the binding of NFKB2(p49) or NFKB1(p50). Functional activation of an HIV reporter plasmid by p49/p65 in transiently transfected Jurkat T-leukemia cells was also inhibited by coexpression of MAD-3. These data suggest that binding of the NFKB2 subunit to the HIV enhancer is facilitated by RelA(p65) and that this NFKB2(p49)/p65 heterodimeric complex mediates transcriptional activation which is subject to regulation by MAD-3.

Animals↗

Rad18 regulates DNA polymerase kappa and is required for recovery from S-phase checkpoint-mediated arrest.

We have investigated mechanisms that recruit the translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerase Polkappa to stalled replication forks. The DNA polymerase processivity factor PCNA is monoubiquitinated and interacts with Polkappa in cells treated with the bulky adduct-forming genotoxin benzo[a]pyrene dihydrodiol epoxide (BPDE). A monoubiquitination-defective mutant form of PCNA fails to interact with Polkappa. Small interfering RNA-mediated downregulation of the E3 ligase Rad18 inhibits BPDE-induced PCNA ubiquitination and association between PCNA and Polkappa. Conversely, overexpressed Rad18 induces PCNA ubiquitination and association between PCNA and Polkappa in a DNA damage-independent manner. Therefore, association of Polkappa with PCNA is regulated by Rad18-mediated PCNA ubiquitination. Cells from Rad18(-/-) transgenic mice show defective recovery from BPDE-induced S-phase checkpoints. In Rad18(-/-) cells, BPDE induces elevated and persistent activation of checkpoint kinases, indicating persistently stalled forks due to defective TLS. Rad18-deficient cells show reduced viability after BPDE challenge compared with wild-type cells (but survival after hydroxyurea or ionizing radiation treatment is unaffected by Rad18 deficiency). Inhibition of RPA/ATR/Chk1-mediated S-phase checkpoint signaling partially inhibited BPDE-induced PCNA ubiquitination and prevented interactions between PCNA and Polkappa. Taken together, our results indicate that ATR/Chk1 signaling is required for Rad18-mediated PCNA monoubiquitination. Recruitment of Polkappa to ubiquitinated PCNA enables lesion bypass and eliminates stalled forks, thereby attenuating the S-phase checkpoint.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗

Arginine methylation regulates DNA polymerase beta.

Alterations in DNA repair lead to genomic instability and higher risk of cancer. DNA base excision repair (BER) corrects damaged bases, apurinic sites, and single-strand DNA breaks. Here, a regulatory mechanism for DNA polymerase beta (Pol beta) is described. Pol beta was found to form a complex with the protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) and was specifically methylated in vitro and in vivo. Methylation of Pol beta by PRMT6 strongly stimulated DNA polymerase activity by enhancing DNA binding and processivity, while single nucleotide insertion and dRP-lyase activity were not affected. Two residues, R83 and R152, were identified in Pol beta as the sites of methylation by PRMT6. Genetic complementation of Pol beta knockout cells with R83/152K mutant revealed the importance of these residues for the cellular resistance to DNA alkylating agent. Based on our findings, we propose that PRMT6 plays a role as a regulator of BER.

Animals↗

Release from quiescence stimulates the expression of integrin alpha 5 beta 1 which regulates DNA synthesis in human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells.

We show that integrin alpha 5 subunit expression is stimulated when human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells are released from quiescence. The alpha 5 subunit mRNA level in quiescent HT1080 cells was increased 24 hr after their release by 10% fetal bovine serum-containing medium reaching a maximum of 2.5 fold on day 2. Similar levels of induction of cell-surface alpha 5 subunit protein as well as beta 1 subunit protein were also observed. This resulted in a significant increase of cell attachment to fibronectin. The serum stimulation also increased alpha 5 subunit promoter activity by twofold which was protein synthesis independent. Subsequent deletion of alpha 5 subunit promoter DNA showed that the cis-element responsible for the activation is located between -92 bp and the transcription start site. The promoter activity was not induced until 12 hr after the release. Comparison of the effect of a serum-free medium and a 10% fetal bovine serum-supplemented medium revealed that both the DNA synthesis and alpha 5 subunit induction were independent of exogenous growth factors. The increased integrin alpha 5 beta 1 appears to function by reducing mitogenic activity since blockade of fibronectin binding to its receptor with a RGD peptide, a monoclonal anti-fibronectin antibody, or a monoclonal anti-alpha 5 subunit antibody during the release from quiescence significantly stimulated DNA synthesis. On the other hand, stable overexpression of the alpha 5 subunit resulted in decreased DNA synthesis.

Cell Adhesion↗

Identification and sequence of a gene required for a developmentally regulated DNA excision in Anabaena.

Vegetative cells of the cyanobacterium Anabaena contain an 11 kb DNA element within the coding region of the nifD gene. This element is excised by site-specific recombination between directly repeated 11 bp sequences at each of its ends during differentiation of nitrogen-fixing cells called heterocysts. Site-specific recombination, leading to the same rejoined nifD gene, was observed during propagation in E. coli of a fragment containing the 11 kb element and flanking sequences. An assay for excision of the element in E. coli was developed, based on mini-Mu-lac transposition into the element. Since the 11 kb element lacks an origin of replication, its excision results in loss of lac and conversion of blue colony-forming cells to white on X-gal plates. Insertion and deletion mutagenesis identified a region of the element needed for excision. Mutations in this region could be complemented by a 6 kb fragment containing an open reading frame that runs counter to those of the nif genes, beginning 240 bp from the recombination site.

Base Sequence↗

Calmodulin regulates DNA polymerase alpha activity during proliferative activation of NRK cells.

When Normal Rat Kidney cells are allowed to reenter the cell cycle after quiescence they start to replicate DNA around 12 h, reaching a maximum at 20 h. Activation of DNA polymerase alpha parallels the increase in DNA synthesis. The addition of two different anti-calmodulin drugs, trifluoroperazine (7.5 microM) or W13 (10 micrograms/ml), to the media at 4 h after proliferative activation, inhibits DNA synthesis by 55% and 80%, respectively. The blockade of calmodulin produced by trifluoroperazine allows the cells to progress through G1 phase but stops progression through S phase as determined by 5-Bromo deoxyuridine labeling. Both anti-calmodulin drugs also inhibit by more than 50% the increase in DNA polymerase alpha activity observed at 20 h. These results indicate that a calmodulin-dependent event, essential for the activation of DNA polymerase alpha and subsequently for DNA replication, is produced during G1. Therefore, the control of DNA polymerase alpha activation is one of the ways by which calmodulin is regulating the progression of NRK cells through S phase.

Animals↗

XIAP regulates DNA damage-induced apoptosis downstream of caspase-9 cleavage.

The IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) family of anti-apoptotic proteins regulates programmed cell death. Of the six known human IAP-related proteins, XIAP is the most potent inhibitor. To study the mechanistic effects of XIAP on DNA damage-induced apoptosis, we prepared U-937 cells that stably overexpress XIAP. The results demonstrate that XIAP inhibits apoptosis induced by 1-[beta-d-arabinofuranosyl]cytosine (ara-C) and other genotoxic agents. XIAP had no detectable effect on ara-C-induced release of mitochondrial cytochrome c and attenuated cleavage of procaspase-9. In addition, we show that ara-C induces the association of XIAP with the cleaved fragments of caspase-9 and thereby inhibition of caspase-9 activity. The results also demonstrate that ara-C induces cleavage of procaspase-3 by a caspase-8-dependent mechanism and that XIAP inhibits caspase-3 activity. These results demonstrate that XIAP functions downstream of procaspase-9 cleavage as an inhibitor of both proteolytically processed caspase-9 and -3 in the cellular response to genotoxic stress.

Apoptosis↗

Calcium-regulated DNA binding and oligomerization of the neuronal calcium-sensing protein, calsenilin/DREAM/KChIP3.

Calsenilin/DREAM/KChIP3, a member of the recoverin branch of the EF-hand superfamily, interacts with presenilins, serves as a calcium-regulated transcriptional repressor, and interacts with A-type potassium channels. Here we report physicochemical characterization of calcium binding, oligomerization, and DNA binding of human calsenilin/DREAM/KChIP3. Equilibrium Ca(2+) binding measurements indicate that the protein binds 3 Ca(2+) with a dissociation constant of 14 microM and a Hill coefficient of 0.7. Dynamic light scattering and size exclusion chromatography show that the Ca(2+)-bound protein exists as a dimer at protein concentrations lower than 150 microM and forms a tetramer at concentrations above 200 microM. The Ca(2+)-free protein is a tetramer in the concentration range 20-450 microM. Isothermal titration calorimetry and dynamic light scattering indicate that the Ca(2+)-free protein tetramer binds endothermically (DeltaH = +25 kcal/mol) to four molecules of DNA derived from the downstream regulatory element (DRE) of either the prodynorphin or c-fos genes. One DRE molecule binds tightly to the protein with a dissociation constant (K(d)) of 75 nM, and the other three bind more weakly (K(d) = 640 nM). No significant DNA binding was observed for the Ca(2+)-bound protein. The N-terminal protein fragment (residues 1-70) binds nonspecifically to DRE in a Ca(2+)-independent manner, whereas a C-terminal fragment containing the four EF-hands (residues 65-256) binds DRE (K(d) = 200 nM) in a Ca(2+)-regulated and sequence-specific fashion. The C-terminal fragment is a tetramer in the Ca(2+)-free state and dissociates into dimers at saturating Ca(2+) levels.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

TPR-mediated interaction of RapC with ComA inhibits response regulator-DNA binding for competence development in Bacillus subtilis.

The Bacillus subtilis Rap family of proteins are characterized by protein-protein interaction modules containing the so-called tetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs). The six TPR motifs of RapC mediate its interaction with the pentapeptide inhibitor PhrC (ERGMT) or with its target protein ComA, a phosphorylation-dependent response regulator transcription factor for genetic competence. Our results show that RapC interaction with ComA inhibits the response regulator's ability to bind its target DNA promoter but does not affect its phosphorylation state. RapC binds equally well to ComA or to ComA approximately P. The PhrC pentapeptide binds to RapC and inhibits its interaction with ComA. The D195 residue in TPR3 and the P263 residue in TPR5 of RapC are critical for the interaction with PhrC as their mutation to asparagine or leucine, respectively, prevents peptide inhibitory activity. The RapC mechanism of regulating ComA activity is a new example of how TPR motifs and their structural organization have been adapted for different specific functions within the B. subtilis Rap family.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Genes related to growth regulation, DNA repair and apoptosis in an oestrogen receptor-negative (MDA-231) versus an oestrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) breast tumour cell line.

The molecular mechanism(s) behind the development of endocrine resistance in breast cancer remains controversial. Here, we compare the capability of oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative cells (MDA-231) versus ER-positive tamoxifen-sensitive cells (MCF-7) to handle DNA repair, transmit signals from damaged DNA, initiate cell death via apoptosis, and then to control transmitted signals from the cell cycle and to synthesize growth factors and receptors. Genes related to these events were studied by cDNA micro-array. Normal human breast cells (H2F) and human lymphoblastoid tumour cells (CEM) were used as controls. Of the 18 genes investigated, 10 genes showed differences in their expression between the cell types. The ER-negative cells showed higher expressions of BRCA1, BRCA2, cdc2, cyclin B1, cyclin D1, cyclin E, IGFBP-3, TGF-alpha, TGF beta 2 and a lower expression of TGF beta R1. No differences in the expressions of bax, bcl-2, p53, p21 and GADD45 were found between the two cell lines. We found that the ER-negative cells were characterized by: (1) a stimulated expression of growth factors and cell cycle regulation compounds, (2) improved DNA repair capacity, but (3) no change in DNA damage signals and apoptotic pathways. Improved DNA repair capacity of ER-negative cells would have a growth advantage over ER-positive tumours when receiving antitumour therapy.

Apoptosis↗

Distinct nongenomic signal transduction pathways controlled by 17beta-estradiol regulate DNA synthesis and cyclin D(1) gene transcription in HepG2 cells.

Estrogens induce cell proliferation in target tissues by stimulating progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Activation of cyclin D(1) gene expression is a critical feature of this hormonal action. The existence of rapid/nongenomic estradiol-regulated protein kinase C (PKC-alpha) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signal transduction pathways, their cross talk, and role played in DNA synthesis and cyclin D(1) gene transcription have been studied herein in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. 17Beta-estradiol was found to rapidly activate PKC-alpha translocation and ERK-2/mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in this cell line. These actions were independent of each other, preceding the increase of thymidine incorporation into DNA and cyclin D(1) expression, and did not involve DNA binding by estrogen receptor. The results obtained with specific inhibitors indicated that PKC-alpha pathway is necessary to mediate the estradiol-induced G1-S progression of HepG2 cells, but it does not exert any effect(s) on cyclin D(1) gene expression. On the contrary, ERK-2 cascade was strongly involved in both G1-S progression and cyclin D(1) gene transcription. Deletion of its activating protein-1 responsive element motif resulted in attenuation of cyclin D(1) promoter responsiveness to estrogen. These results indicate that estrogen-induced cyclin D(1) transcription can occur in HepG2 cells independently of the transcriptional activity of estrogen receptor, sustaining the pivotal role played by nongenomic pathways of estrogen action in hormone-induced proliferation.

DNA↗

Identification of a low specificity, oxygen, heme, and growth phase regulated DNA binding activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Cytochrome c oxidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is subject to intricate control at the level of transcription of the various genes encoding its subunits. Expression of the subunit VI encoding gene, COX6, is glucose repressed, growth phase induced, and dependent on oxygen and heme availability. An upstream activation region for COX6, UAS6, was found to contain a glucose responsive region, a heme dependent region (HDS1), and a binding site for the transcription factor, BAF1. BAF1 was the only factor observed to form a protein complex with UAS6 in vitro. However, we found that binding of BAF1 was unaffected by oxygen or heme regulation. In the present communication, we have identified a DNA binding activity that was growth phase induced and dependent on oxygen and heme availability. This highly regulated activity was detected by its discrete binding to the heme responsive site, HDS1, in UAS6. Nonetheless, it appears to have weak DNA binding specificity.

Base Sequence↗