An essential role for p300/CBP in the cellular response to hypoxia

Biological role of p300 in cardiac myocytes

A cellular target of adenovirus E1A oncoprotein, p300 is a transcriptional coactivator required for the maintenance of differentiated phenotypes in cardiac myocytes. The full transcriptional activities of hypertrophy-responsive transcription factors such as GATA-4 and MEF2 require interaction with p300. A p300 protein also possesses intrinsic histone acetyl transferase activity, which promotes a transcriptionally active chromatin configuration. Here, we review the biological functions of p300 in cardiac myocytes. Although p300 is biologically active in many cell types, this protein appears to play a crucial role in the differentiation, growth and apoptosis of cardiac myocytes. Understanding precise mechanisms of its biological functions will shed light on molecular pathways for heart failure.

Hypoxia attenuates the p53 response to cellular damage

The tumour suppressor activity of p53 in vivo can be subject to pressure from the physiological stress of hypoxia and we report on the development of a cell system to define the p53-dependent stages in the adaptation of cells to hypoxia. p53(+/+) cells exposed to hypoxia exhibited a transient arrest in G2/M, but escaped from this checkpoint and entered a long-term G(0)/G(1) arrest. By contrast, isogenic p53-null cells exposed to hypoxic conditions exhibited a 6-10-fold higher level of apoptosis, suggesting that p53 acts as a survival factor under limiting oxygen concentrations. Surprisingly, hypoxia-dependent growth arrest in p53(+/+) cells did not result in either p21(WAF1) or HIF-1 protein stabilization, but rather promoted a significant decrease in Ser(392)-site phosphorylation at the CK2/FACT site. However, chemically induced anoxia induced Ser(392)-site phosphorylation as well as stabilization of both p53 and HIF-1 proteins. In contrast to hypoxia, 5-flourouracil (5-FU)-induced p53-dependent cell death correlated with enhanced Ser(392) phosphorylation of p53 and elevated p21(WAF1) protein levels. Hypoxia inhibited 5-FU-induced p53-dependent cell death and attenuated p53 phosphorylation at the ATM and CK2/FACT phosphorylation sites. Although anoxia activates the p53 response, hypoxia silences the p53 transactivation pathway and identifies a physiological signalling model to study mechanisms of p53 inactivation under hypoxic conditions.

MAPK signaling up-regulates the activity of hypoxia-inducible factors by its effects on p300

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) are a family of heterodimeric transcriptional regulators that play pivotal roles in the regulation of cellular utilization of oxygen and glucose and are essential transcriptional regulators of angiogenesis in solid tumor and ischemic disorders. The transactivation activity of HIF complexes requires the recruitment of p300/CREB-binding protein (CBP) by HIF-1 alpha and HIF-2 alpha that undergo oxygen-dependent degradation. HIF activation in tumors is caused by several factors including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Here we investigated the molecular basis for HIF activation by MAPK. We show that MAPK is required for the transactivation activity of HIF-1 alpha. Furthermore, inhibition of MAPK disrupts the HIF-p300 interaction and suppresses the transactivation activity of p300. Overexpression of MEK1, an upstream MAPK activator, stimulates the transactivation of both p300 and HIF-1 alpha. Interestingly, the C-terminal transactivation domain of HIF-1 alpha is not a direct substrate of MAPK, and HIF-1 alpha phosphorylation is not required for HIF-CAD/p300 interaction. Taken together, our data suggest that MAPK signaling facilitates HIF activation through p300/CBP.

HIF-1-dependent VEGF reporter gene assay by a stable transformant of CHO cells

For the establishment of a screening system to detect inhibitors of vascular endotherial growth factor (VEGF) expression, a stable transformant of Chinese hamster ovary cells was isolated and cloned by transfection of a hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1)-dependent VEGF promoter reporter gene. The expression of the reporter gene in the clone cells, as measured by luciferase activity, was stable. Hypoxic responses were best observed at an initial cell density of 2 x 10(4)/well. The maximal increase of luciferase activity was 30 fold. In the highest cell density of 8 x 10(4)/well (2.1 x 10(5)/cm(2)), basal activity was increased 13-15 fold compared to that at the lower cell densities, and did not respond to hypoxia. Addition of CoCl(2), which is known to mimic hypoxia, increased luciferase activity more than 10 times in normoxia. Nitric oxide donors, which are known to suppress the activation of HIF-1, inhibited expression of the VEGF promoter reporter gene under hypoxia. Histone deacetylase inhibitors, trichostatin A and sodium n-butyrate which are known to stimulate transcription of many genes enhanced its transcription in hypoxia. These results indicate that the stable transformant is a useful tool for screening of HIF-1 modifiers.

Aint/Tacc3 is highly expressed in proliferating mouse tissues during development, spermatogenesis, and oogenesis

Aint was originally identified on the basis of its interaction in vitro with the aryl hydrocarbon nuclear receptor translocator (Arnt). Arnt is a common heterodimerization partner in the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)-PER-ARNT-SIM (PAS) protein family and is involved in diverse biological functions. These include xenobiotic metabolism, hypoxic response, and circadian rhythm. In addition, Arnt has a crucial role during development. Aint is a member of a growing family of transforming acidic coiled-coil (TACC) proteins and is the murine homologue of human TACC3. Here we report the spatiotemporal expression of Tacc3 mRNA and protein in embryonic, postnatally developing, and adult mouse tissues using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. Tacc3 mRNA was highly expressed in proliferating cells of several organs during murine development. However, the only adult tissues expressing high levels were testis and ovary. Immunocytochemistry revealed that Tacc3 is a nuclear protein. Our results suggest that Tacc3 has an important role in murine development, spermatogenesis, and oogenesis.

Structure of human FIH-1 reveals a unique active site pocket and interaction sites for HIF-1 and von Hippel-Lindau

The master switch of cellular hypoxia responses, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), is hydroxylated by factor inhibiting HIF-1 (FIH-1) at a conserved asparagine residue under normoxia, which suppresses transcriptional activity of HIF-1 by abrogating its interaction with transcription coactivators. Here we report the crystal structure of human FIH-1 at 2.8-A resolution. The structural core of FIH-1 consists of a jellyroll-like beta-barrel containing the conserved ferrous-binding triad residues, confirming that FIH-1 is a member of the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase family. Except for the core structure and triad residues, FIH-1 has many structural deviations from other family members including N- and C-terminal insertions and various deletions in the middle of the structure. The ferrous-binding triad region is highly exposed to the solvent, which is connected to a prominent groove that may bind to a helix near the hydroxylation site of HIF-1. The structure, which is in a dimeric state, also reveals the putative von Hippel-Lindau-binding site that is distinctive to the putative HIF-1-binding site, supporting the formation of the ternary complex by FIH-1, HIF-1, and von Hippel-Lindau. The unique environment of the active site and cofactor-binding region revealed in the structure should allow design of selective drugs that can be used in ischemic diseases to promote hypoxia responses.

Regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor synthesis by nitric oxide: facts and controversies

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the major molecule governing angiogenesis, defined as the growth of blood vessels from vascular structure. There is abundant evidence that nitric oxide (NO) is an effector molecule mediating the activity of VEGF. By binding to its receptors, VEGF initiates the signaling cascades leading to NO production and angiogenic activation of endothelial cells. Recent data show that NO induces VEGF synthesis in numerous cell types, including vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages, keratinocytes, and tumor cells. NO enhances VEGF production by augmenting its expression through activation of Akt kinase, followed by induction of several transcription factors, of which stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1) is the critical step. With respect to its effect on VEGF expression, NO mimics hypoxia, the classical activator of HIF-1 and VEGF synthesis. The effect of NO on VEGF production is also mediated by heme oxygenase, an enzyme generating carbon monoxide, which appears to stimulate VEGF release. In this review, we attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of NO on VEGF synthesis. We also discuss some discrepant data and suggest explanations for various aspects of the NO-VEGF relationship.

Imidazole ring-opened DNA purines and their biological significance

Fragmentation of purine imidazole ring and production of formamidopyrimidines in deoxynucleosides (Fapy lesions) occurs upon DNA oxidation as well as upon spontaneous or alkali-triggered rearrangement of certain alkylated bases. Many chemotherapeutic agents such as cyclophosphamide or thiotepa produce such lesions in DNA. Unsubstituted FapyA and FapyG, formed upon DNA oxidation cause moderate inhibition of DNA synthesis, which is DNA polymerase and sequence dependent. Fapy-7MeG, a methylated counterpart of FapyG-, a efficiently inhibits DNA replication in vitro and in E.coli, however its mutagenic potency is low. This is probably due to preferential incorporation of cytosine opposite Fapy-7MeG and preferential extension of Fapy-7MeG:C pair. In contrast, FapyA and Fapy-7MeA possess miscoding potential. Both lesions in SOS induced E.coli preferentially mispair with cytosine giving rise to A-->G transitions. Fapy lesions substituted with longer chain alkyl groups also show simult aneous lethal and mutagenic properties. Fapy lesions are actively eliminated from DNA by repair glycosylases specific for oxidized purines and pyrimidines both in bacteria and eukaryotic cells. Bacterial enzymes include E.coli formamidopyrimidine-DNA-glycosylase (Fpg protein), endonuclease III (Nth protein) and endonuclease VIII (Nei protein).

A critical evaluation of DNA adducts as biological markers for human exposure to polycyclic aromatic compounds

The causative role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in human carcinogenesis is undisputed. Measurements of PAH-DNA adduct levels in easily accessible white blood cells therefore represent useful early endpoints in exposure intervention or chemoprevention studies. The successful applicability of DNA adducts as early endpoints depends on several criteria: i. adduct levels in easily accessible surrogate tissues should reflect adduct levels in target-tissues, ii. toxicokinetics and the temporal relevance should be properly defined. iii. sources of interand intra-individual variability must be known and controllable, and finally iv. adduct analyses must have advantages as compared to other markers of PAHexposure. In general, higher DNA adduct levels or a higher proportion of subjects with detectable DNA adduct levels were found in exposed individuals as compared with nonexposed subjects, but saturation may occur at high exposures. Furthermore, DNA adduct levels varied according to changes in exposure, for example smoking cessation resulted in lower DNA adduct levels and adduct levels paralleled seasonal variations of air-pollution. Intraindividual variation during continuous exposure was low over a short period of time (weeks), but varied significantly when longer time periods (months) were investigated. Inter-individual variation is currently only partly explained by genetic polymorphisms in genes involved in PAH-metabolism and deserves further investigation. DNA adduct measurements may have three advantages over traditional exposure assessment: i. they can smooth the extreme variability in exposure which is typical for environmental toxicants and may integrate exposure over a longer period of time. Therefore, DNA adduct assessment may reduce the monitoring effort. ii. biological monitoring of DNA adducts accounts for all exposure routes. iii. DNA adducts may account for inter-individual differences in uptake, elimination, distribution, metabolism and repair amongst exposed individuals. In conclusion, there is now a sufficiently large scientific basis to justify the application of DNA adduct measurements as biomarkers in exposure assessment and intervention studies. Their use in risk-assessment, however, requires further investigation.

Hypoxia-induced angiogenesis during carcinogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels, angiogenesis, is an essential process during development and disease. Angiogenesis is well known as a crucial step in tumor growth and progression. Angiogenesis is induced by hypoxic conditions and regulated by the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). The expression of HIF-1 correlates with hypoxia-induced angiogenesis as a result of the induction of the major HIF-1 target gene, vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF). In this review, a brief overview of the mechanism of angiogenesis is discussed, focusing on the regulatory processes of the HIF-1 transcription factor. HIF-1 consists of a constitutively expressed HIF-1 beta (HIF-1beta) subunit and an oxygen-regulated HIF-1 alpha (HIF-1a) subunit. The stability and activity of HIF-1alpha are regulated by the interaction with various proteins, such as pVHL, p53, and p300/CBP as well as by post-translational modifications, hydroxylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation. It was recently reported that HIF-1alpha binds a co-activator of the AP-1 transcription factor, Jab-1, which inhibits the p53-dependent degradation of HIF-1 and enhances the transcriptional activity of HIF-1 and the subsequent VEGF expression under hypoxic conditions. ARD1 acetylates HIF-1alpha and stimulates pVHL-mediated ubiquitination of HIF-1alpha. With a growing knowledge of the molecular mechanisms in this field, novel strategies to prevent tumor angiogenesis can be developed, and from these, new anticancer therapies may arise.

Autoimmune regulator: from loss of function to autoimmunity

The autoimmune regulator (AIRE) is a gene where mutations cause the recessively inherited disorder called autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) or autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome type 1 (APS1). Variable combinations of autoimmune endocrine diseases such as Addison's disease, hypoparathyroidism, and type 1 diabetes characterize APECED. The AIRE protein has several domains indicative of a transcriptional regulator. AIRE contains two PHD (plant homeodomain) type zinc fingers, four nuclear receptor binding LXXLL motifs, a putative DNA-binding domain named SAND and, in addition, a highly conserved N-terminal domain similar to the homogenously staining region domain of the Sp100 protein. At the subcellular level, AIRE is expressed in nuclear dots resembling promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies, which are associated with several transcriptionally active proteins. AIRE is primarily expressed in thymic medullary epithelial cells and monocyte-dendritic cells in the thymus but also in a rare subset of cells in the lymph nodes, spleen and fetal liver. The disease, caused by mutations in AIRE, its function as a protein involved in transcription, and its restricted expression in cells important in negative selection, all together suggest that AIRE is a central protein in the maintenance of immune tolerance. In this review of the recent literature we discuss the results of these studies with particular attention on the AIRE expression pattern and its function as a transcriptional regulator, as well as the effects of patient mutations on the molecular characteristics of the protein.

Loss of pVHL is sufficient to cause HIF dysregulation in primary cells but does not promote tumor growth

Inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene is associated with the development of highly vascularized tumors. pVHL targets the alpha subunits of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) for ubiquitin-mediated degradation in an oxygen-dependent manner. Although pVHL-deficient tumor cell lines demonstrate constitutive stabilization and activation of HIF, it has yet to be shown that loss of murine Vhl alone is sufficient to dysregulate HIF. We utilized a genetic approach to demonstrate that loss of Vhl is sufficient not only to stabilize HIF-alpha subunits under normoxia, but also fully activate HIF-mediated responses. These studies have implications for the hierarchy of signaling events leading to HIF stabilization, nuclear translocation, and target gene expression. We further demonstrate that loss of murine Vhl does not promote teratocarcinoma growth, indicating that other genetic changes must occur to facilitate Vhl-mediated tumorigenesis.

Hypoxia and High Altitude

Increased erythropoietin plasma levels and the consequent augmented production of red blood cells is the best known systemic adaptation to reduced oxygen partial pressure (pO2). Intensive research during the last years revealed that the molecular mechanism behind the regulation of erythropoietin is ubiquitous and has far more implications than first thought. Erythropoietin regulation results from the activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) pathway under hypoxic conditions. HIF-1 is a heterodimer consisting of an oxygen sensitive--HIF-1--and an oxygen-independent subunit--HIF-1beta (also known as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator--ARNT). In addition to erythropoietin, more than 30 genes are now known to be up-regulated by HIF-1. Recently, the critical involvement of HIF-1alpha post-translational modifications in the cellular oxygen sensing mechanism was discovered. In this review we will focus on the regulation of the HIF-1 pathway and the cellular oxygen sensor and discuss their implications in high altitude hypoxia.

HIF and oxygen sensing; as important to life as the air we breathe?

Molecular oxygen (O2)is a basic requirement for cellular growth and viability and many aspects of anatomy and physiology are dedicated to achieving reliable distribution. Recent work has identified a specific sensing and response system, centred around a transcription complex called Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1), which forms the focus of this review. The HIF-system operates in all cell types and modulates a very broad range of cellular pathways, consistent with the broad importance of oxygen. It is implicated in a rapidly expanding range of developmental, physiological and pathological settings, and is potentially relevant to almost all areas of clinical medicine. Excitingly, the pathway can be activated with low molecular weight compounds which should offer therapeutic benefit, especially in diseases where oxygen supply is compromised.

Characterization of HIF-1 alpha overexpressing HeLa cells and implications for gene therapy

Upon exposing mammalian tissues to hypoxia, expression of a number of physiologically important genes such as erythropoietin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increases. The key regulator for this oxygen-dependent gene expression is the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), a heterodimeric transcription factor consisting of an alpha and a beta subunit. Both HIF-1 subunits are widely expressed in the cells and tissue of vertebrates, flies, fishes, worms and probably most other species. The beta subunit (also termed ARNT, aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator) is abundantly expressed in an oxygen-independent manner. On the other hand, HIF-1alpha cannot be detected above a critical partial pressure of oxygen when it is subjected to rapid ubiquitinylation and proteasomal degradation. Hypoxic exposure leads to stabilization of HIF-1alpha protein and subsequent activation of HIF-1-dependent target genes. HIF-1 is not only a master regulator of oxygen homeostasis, it also appears to play a key role in tumor development as well as cardiovascular and ischemic diseases. Genetic modulation of HIF-1alpha activity in vivo may therefore represent a novel therapeutic approach to these disorders. In this overview, we report on the generation of HIF-1alpha overexpressing HeLa cell lines and demonstrate the feasibility of normoxic HIF-1 gene transfer in vitro and in vivo thereby identifying the limiting steps for full activation of HIF-1.

Endoglin expression is regulated by transcriptional cooperation between the hypoxia and transforming growth factor-beta pathways

Endoglin is a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) co-receptor expressed mainly on endothelial cells and involved in cardiovascular development, angiogenesis, and vascular remodeling. This is illustrated by the fact that mutations in the endoglin gene give rise to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 1, a dominant vascular disease with clinical manifestations that originate by a mechanism of haploinsufficiency. Thus, studies on the regulated expression of endoglin are crucial to devising therapeutic strategies for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 1. Endoglin is highly expressed in the neovasculature associated with hypoxia such as ischemic tissues and tumors, but the molecular mechanism of this up-regulation is unknown. Here, we have investigated the possible regulation of endoglin expression by hypoxia. Surface protein, transcript, and promoter activity levels of endoglin were found to be up-regulated by hypoxia, indicating that the regulation takes place at the transcriptional level. A hypoxia-responsive element downstream of the main transcription start site of the endoglin gene was functionally characterized. Whereas hypoxia alone moderately stimulated endoglin transcription, addition of TGF-beta under hypoxic conditions resulted in transcriptional cooperation between both signaling pathways, leading to marked stimulation of endoglin expression. Because basal endoglin transcription is sustained by Sp1, and TGF-beta and hypoxia signaling pathways are mediated by Smad proteins and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), respectively, the involvement of these transcription factors was analyzed. Functional and co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated the existence of a multiprotein complex (Sp1.Smad3.HIF-1) on the endoglin promoter, mediating the cooperation between the hypoxia and TGF-beta pathways. Within this multiprotein complex, Smad3 appears to function not only as a coactivator factor, but also as an adaptor between HIF-1 and Sp1. We propose that basal endoglin transcription (highly dependent on Sp1) may switch from a constitutive to an inducible state through Sp1 interaction with HIF-1 and Smad transcription factors, induced by hypoxia and TGF-beta, respectively.

Leu-574 of HIF-1alpha is essential for the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-mediated degradation pathway

Oxygen homeostasis is crucial for a myriad of developmental, physiological, and pathophysiological processes. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) plays a pivotal role in response to hypoxia by transcriptionally activating target genes involving oxygen uptake, transport, delivery, and consumption. HIF-1alpha activity is regulated primarily through the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation pathway, which targets the oxygen-dependent degradation domain (ODD) of HIF-1alpha. In particular, the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein complex, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, binds to the ODD upon hydroxylation of HIF-1alpha Pro-564. Here, we show that in vivo VHL interacts with the N-terminal as well as the C-terminal ODD independently, supporting the notion of functional redundancy within the ODD. Moreover, we demonstrate that Leu-574 of HIF-1alpha is essential for VHL binding to the C-terminal ODD. Despite the presence of Pro-564, deletion or mutation of Leu-574 resulted in a loss of VHL binding and a gain of protein stability. Furthermore, the identification of Leu-574 redefines the N-terminal activation domain of HIF-1alpha to be constitutively active. Taken together, this study provides new insight into the mechanisms underlying VHL-mediated HIF-1alpha degradation and transcriptional activation, and a molecular basis for drug targeting.

Functional analysis of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha-mediated transactivation. Identification of amino acid residues critical for transcriptional activation and/or interaction with CREB-binding protein

The hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) is a key regulator of adaptive responses to hypoxia. HIF-1 alpha has two independent transactivation domains (TADs). Whereas the N-terminal TAD (N-TAD) also constitutes a degradation box, the C-terminal TAD (C-TAD) functions in a strictly hypoxia-inducible fashion. Oxygen-dependent hydroxylation of an asparagine residue has recently been reported to regulate C-TAD function by disrupting the interaction with the CH1 domain of the p300/CBP coactivator at normoxia. Here we have performed alanine-scanning mutagenesis of a predicted alpha-helix within the C-TAD of mouse HIF-1 alpha to identify residues important for transactivation and interaction of the C-TAD with transcriptional coactivators. We observed that several hydrophobic residues, Ile(802), Leu(808), Leu(814), Leu(815), and Leu(818), were critical for transactivation and binding to the CH1 domain of CBP in hypoxic cells. Moreover, E812A/E813A and D819A mutations impaired hypoxia-dependent transactivation without disrupting binding to CH1. In the context of full-length HIF-1 alpha, mutation of the leucine residues conferred conformational changes to the protein and significantly reduced the transactivation function as well as functional interaction with the transcriptional coactivators CBP and SRC-1. These mutations also affected intranuclear redistribution of HIF-1 alpha in the presence of CBP, indicating that the integrity of the C-TAD is critical for intracellular localization of mouse HIF-1 alpha.

Hypoxia-inducible erythropoietin gene expression in human neuroblastoma cells

Two human neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines, SH-SY5Y and Kelly, were found to express the gene for erythropoietin (EPO) in an oxygen (O(2))-dependent manner. However, NB cells had maximal production of EPO with lower partial pressure of O(2) values than the well-characterized hepatoma cell line HepG2. This maximal EPO expression was preceded by accumulation of the O(2)-sensitive alpha subunit of the heterodimeric transcription-factor complex hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). Western blot analysis revealed that the amount of the beta subunit of HIF-1, identical to aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 1 (ARNT1), and the homolog ARNT2 increased in nuclear extracts from SH-SY5Y cells exposed to anoxia. In neuronal cells, ARNT1 and ARNT2 can form a heterodimer with HIF-1alpha, generating a functional HIF-1 complex. Using the hypoxia response element of the human EPO enhancer, we conducted electrophoretic mobility shift assays that showed accumulation and binding of HIF-1 complexes containing both ARNT1 and ARNT2 in NB cells. In addition to the HIF-1 complex, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) was found to be indispensable for hypoxia-induced EPO gene expression in hepatoma cells. Western blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction assessment showed that NB cells express neither HNF4alpha nor the splicing variant HNF4alpha7 and thus express EPO in an HNF4alpha-independent manner. Together, SH-SY5Y and Kelly cells may provide a new in vitro model for studying the mechanism of tissue-specific, hypoxia-inducible EPO gene expression.

Hypoxia-induced production of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (CXCL12) and vascular endothelial growth factor by synovial fibroblasts

OBJECTIVE

Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1; or, CXCL12) is a potent chemotactic and angiogenic factor that has been proposed to play a role in the recruitment of lymphocytes into rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium. We tested the hypothesis that synovial SDF-1 expression is regulated by cytokine and hypoxic stimulation, the latter being mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha). These factors regulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), itself an important angiogenic mediator.

METHODS

RA and osteoarthritic synovial fibroblasts and whole tissue explants were cultured under normoxic or hypoxic (1% O(2)) conditions for up to 72 hours in the presence or absence of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), or transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta). Expression of HIF-1alpha, VEGF, and SDF-1 was detected in synovial tissue and cells by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. VEGF and SDF-1 expression by cultured synovial fibroblasts was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of HIF-1alpha, VEGF, and SDF-1 in RA synovium. Patchy expression of HIF-1alpha was detected primarily in the synovial lining and sublining areas; expression in synovial fibroblasts and in the lining cells of whole synovial tissue explants was markedly augmented by hypoxic culture conditions. Hypoxia enhanced the expression of VEGF and SDF-1 messenger RNA in synovial fibroblasts. The production of VEGF and SDF-1 protein by synovial fibroblasts was augmented by 50% and 132%, respectively, after 24 hours of hypoxia. VEGF production was potently induced by TGFbeta, and to a lesser extent by IL-1beta and TNF, and was further augmented by hypoxia. In contrast, none of the tested cytokines induced SDF-1 production.

CONCLUSION

As with VEGF, SDF-1 expression is induced by hypoxia; however, cytokines induce VEGF but not SDF-1. Hypoxic conditions in RA synovium, which are likely to be transient and episodic, may contribute to the persistence of synovitis by inducing VEGF and SDF-1.

Cellular adaptation to hypoxia: O2-sensing protein hydroxylases, hypoxia-inducible transcription factors, and O2-regulated gene expression

Although it was known for a long time that oxygen deprivation leads to the transcriptional induction of the gene encoding erythropoietin, the molecular mechanisms behind this process remained enigmatic. The cloning of the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), the finding that HIF-1 regulates the expression of many more genes apart from erythropoietin, and the elucidation of the oxygen-dependent mechanisms degrading the HIF alpha subunits recently led to the spectacular discovery of the molecular principles of oxygen sensing. This review aims to summarize our current knowledge of oxygen-regulated gene expression..

Hypoxia-induced cell death and changes in hypoxia-inducible factor-1 activity in PC12 cells upon exposure to nerve growth factor

The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) strongly contributes to the expression of adaptive genes under hypoxic conditions. In addition, HIF-1 has been implicated in the regulation of delayed neuronal cell death. Suspension-grown and adherent PC12 cells treated with NGF were used as an experimental model for studying the relationship between hypoxia-induced cell death and activation of HIF-1. Cell damage was assessed by flow cytometry of double-stained (Annexin V and propidiumiodide) cells, and by analysis of the overall death parameters LDH and mitochondrial dehydrogenase. In parallel, cells were transfected with a control and a three-hypoxia-responsive-elements (HRE)-containing vector and HIF-1-driven luciferase activity was determined. Exposure of NGF-treated PC12 cells to hypoxia resulted in a higher cell death rate when compared to untreated controls. PC12 cells exposed for 2 days to NGF exhibited a decrease of HIF-1 activity up to a factor of ten. This decrease may contribute to the enhanced hypoxia-induced cell death via reduced expression of HIF-1alpha-regulated genes responsible for adaptation to hypoxia, like those for glucose transport proteins and enzymes of the glycolytic chain. The decrease in HIF-1 activity and the increase in hypoxia sensitivity may suggest that NGF act as an hierarchically organized signaling molecule.

Estradiol attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary endothelin-1 gene expression

The ovarian hormone 17beta-estradiol (E2beta) attenuates chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. We hypothesized that E2beta attenuates this response to hypoxia by decreasing pulmonary expression of the vasoactive and mitogenic peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1). To test this hypothesis, we measured preproET-1 mRNA and ET-1 peptide levels in the lungs of adult female normoxic and hypoxic (24 h or 4 wk at barometric pressure = 380 mmHg) rats with intact ovaries and in hypoxic ovariectomized (OVX) rats administered E2beta or vehicle via subcutaneous osmotic pumps. Hypoxic exposure increased lung preproET-1 mRNA levels in OVX vehicle-treated rats, but not in rats with intact ovaries. In addition, E2beta replacement prevented hypoxia-mediated increases in preproET-1 mRNA and ET-1 peptide expression. Considering that hypoxic induction of ET-1 gene expression is mediated by a hypoxia-inducible transcription factor(s) (HIF), we further hypothesized that E2beta-induced attenuation of pulmonary ET-1 expression during hypoxia results from decreased HIF activity. We found that E2beta abolished HIF-dependent increases in reporter gene activity. Further experiments demonstrated that overexpression of the transcriptional coactivator cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) binding protein (CBP)/p300, a factor common to both the estrogen receptor and HIF pathways, eliminated E2beta-mediated attenuation of hypoxia-induced ET-1 promoter activity. We conclude that E2beta inhibits hypoxic induction of ET-1 gene expression by interfering with HIF activity, possibly through competition for limiting quantities of CBP/p300.

Regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 in enterocytic cells

BACKGROUND

Mucosal hypoxia due to intestinal hypoperfusion is characteristic of a number of clinical disorders. An early event in the adaptive response to cellular hypoxia is the binding of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) to cis-acting regulatory sites in target genes.

METHODS

We characterized the expression of HIF-1 in transformed (Caco-2(BBe) and T84) and nontransformed human (FHs 74 Int) and rat (IEC-6) intestinal epithelial cell lines.

RESULTS

The electrophoretic mobility shift assay detected increased HIF-1 DNA-binding activity in each cell line within 2 h of hypoxia (1% O2). HIF-1 binding was maximal within 4 h and remained stable for 24 h. HIF-1 DNA-binding activity was maximal in the established IEC-6 cell line below 2% oxygen, but HIF-1 DNA-binding activity was not detectable above 0.5% O2 in the primary human FHs 74 Int cell line. The nonspecific protein kinase inhibitor genistein (200 microM) inhibited HIF-1 binding at 4 h. Transfection of Caco-2 cells with a wild-type, but not a mutant, HIF-1-dependent luciferase expression vector resulted in a fourfold induction of reporter gene expression during hypoxia.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, HIF-1 regulates gene expression in enterocytes and an undefined phosphorylation event is important for O2 sensing.

Recruitment of the NCoA/SRC-1/p160 family of transcriptional coactivators by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor/aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator complex

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor complex heterodimeric transcription factor, comprising the basic helix-loop-helix-Per-ARNT-Sim (bHLH-PAS) domain aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) proteins, mediates the toxic effects of TCDD (2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin). The molecular events underlying TCDD-inducible gene activation, beyond the activation of the AHRC, are poorly understood. The SRC-1/NCoA-1, NCoA-2/GRIP-1/TIF-2, and p/CIP/AIB/ACTR proteins have been shown to act as mediators of transcriptional activation. In this report, we demonstrate that SRC-1, NCoA-2, and p/CIP are capable of independently enhancing TCDD-dependent induction of a luciferase reporter gene by the AHR/ARNT dimer. Furthermore, injection of anti-SRC-1 or anti-p/CIP immunoglobulin G into mammalian cells abolishes the transcriptional activity of a TCDD-dependent reporter gene. We demonstrate by coimmunoprecipitation and by a reporter gene assay that SRC-1 and NCoA-2 but not p/CIP are capable of interacting with ARNT in vivo after transient transfection into mammalian cells, while AHR is capable of interacting with all three coactivators. We confirm the interactions of ARNT and AHR with SRC-1 with immunocytochemical techniques. Furthermore, SRC-1, NCoA-2, and p/CIP all associate with the CYP1A1 enhancer region in a TCDD-dependent fashion, as demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. We demonstrate by yeast two-hybrid, glutathione S-transferase pulldown, and mammalian reporter gene assays that ARNT requires its helix 2 domain but not its transactivation domain to interact with SRC-1. This indicates a novel mechanism of action for SRC-1. SRC-1 does not require its bHLH-PAS domain to interact with ARNT or AHR, but utilizes distinct domains proximal to its p300/CBP interaction domain. Taken together, these data support a role for the SRC family of transcriptional coactivators in TCDD-dependent gene regulation.

A zinc-finger protein, PLAGL2, induces the expression of a proapoptotic protein Nip3, leading to cellular apoptosis

Pleomorphic adenomas gene-like 2 (PLAGL2) protein containing seven C(2)H(2) zinc finger motifs exhibits DNA binding and transcriptional activation activity and is expressed in response to hypoxia or iron deficiency. To identify the target genes of PLAGL2, we transfected mouse PLAGL2 cDNA into Balb/c3T3 fibroblasts and neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells. Both cells were induced to undergo apoptosis by the expression of PLAGL2 as judged by assays of TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling), DNA fragmentation, propidium iodide staining, and the binding of annexin V to the cell surface. The treatment of the cells with an iron chelator, desferrioxamine, resulted in the induction of apoptosis with a concomitant accumulation of PLAGL2 in the nucleus. The expression of PLAGL2 in Balb/c3T3 cells led to the mRNA expression of a proapoptotic factor, Nip3, which can dimerize with Bcl-2. Nip3 mRNA was also induced in desferrioxamine-treated cells. Furthermore, the Nip3 promoter containing a hypoxia-responsive element was activated by PLAGL2, independent of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). The transfection of antisense oligonucleotide to mouse Nip3 mRNA into PLAGL2-expressing cells led to a decrease in apoptotic cells compared with sense oligonucleotide-transfected cells. Despite the activation of DNA-HIF-1 binding activity under hypoxic conditions, neither an accumulation of HIF-1 alpha nor the activation of HIF-1 was observed following the expression of PLAGL2. These results indicate that PLAGL2 is located downstream of HIF-1 and suggest that PLAGL2 functions as a tumor suppressor in association with HIF-1.

Carboxyl-terminal transactivation activity of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha is governed by a von Hippel-Lindau protein-independent, hydroxylation-regulated association with p300/CBP

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 complex (HIF-1) plays a pivotal role in oxygen homeostasis and adaptation to hypoxia. Its function is controlled by both the protein stability and the transactivation activity of its alpha subunit, HIF-1 alpha. Hydroxylation of at least two prolyl residues in the oxygen-dependent degradation domain of HIF-1 alpha regulates its interaction with the von Hippel-Lindau protein (VHL) that targets HIF-1 alpha for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Several prolyl hydroxylases have been found to specifically hydroxylate HIF-1 alpha. In this report, we investigated possible roles of VHL and hydroxylases in the regulation of the transactivation activity of the C-terminal activating domain (CAD) of HIF-1 alpha. We demonstrate that regulation of the transactivation activity of HIF-1 alpha CAD also involves hydroxylase activity but does not require functional VHL. In addition, stimulation of the CAD activity by a hydroxylase inhibitor, hypoxia, and desferrioxamine was severely blocked by the adenoviral oncoprotein E1A but not by an E1A mutant defective in targeting p300/CBP. We further demonstrate that a hydroxylase inhibitor, hypoxia, and desferrioxamine promote the functional and physical interaction between HIF-1 alpha CAD and p300/CBP in vivo. Taken together, our data provide evidence that hypoxia-regulated stabilization and transcriptional stimulation of HIF-1 alpha function are regulated through partially overlapping but distinguishable pathways.

Structural basis for recruitment of CBP/p300 by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha

Adaptation to hypoxia is mediated by transactivation of hypoxia-responsive genes by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) in complex with the CBP and p300 transcriptional coactivators. We report the solution structure of the cysteine/histidine-rich 1 (CH1) domain of p300 bound to the C-terminal transactivation domain of HIF-1 alpha. CH1 has a triangular geometry composed of four alpha-helices with three intervening Zn(2+)-coordinating centers. CH1 serves as a scaffold for folding of the HIF-1 alpha C-terminal transactivation domain, which forms a vise-like clamp on the CH1 domain that is stabilized by extensive hydrophobic and polar interactions. The structure reveals the mechanism of specific recognition of p300 by HIF-1 alpha, and shows how HIF-1 alpha transactivation is regulated by asparagine hydroxylation.

Structural basis for Hif-1 alpha /CBP recognition in the cellular hypoxic response

The cellular response to low tissue oxygen concentrations is mediated by the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor HIF-1. Under hypoxic conditions, HIF-1 activates transcription of critical adaptive genes by recruitment of the general coactivators CBP/p300 through interactions with its alpha-subunit (Hif-1 alpha). Disruption of the Hif-1 alpha/p300 interaction has been linked to attenuation of tumor growth. To delineate the structural basis for this interaction, we have determined the solution structure of the complex between the carboxy-terminal activation domain (CAD) of Hif-1 alpha and the zinc-binding TAZ1 (CH1) motif of cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB) binding protein (CBP). Despite the overall similarity of the TAZ1 structure to that of the TAZ2 (part of the CH3) domain of CBP, differences occur in the packing of helices that can account for differences in specificity. The unbound CAD is intrinsically disordered and remains relatively extended upon binding, wrapping almost entirely around the TAZ1 domain in a groove through much of its surface. Three short helices are formed upon binding, stabilized by intermolecular interactions. The Asn-803 side chain, which functions as a hypoxic switch, is located on the second of these helices and is buried in the molecular interface. The third helix of the Hif-1 alpha CAD docks in a deep hydrophobic groove in TAZ1, providing extensive intermolecular hydrophobic interactions that contribute to the stability of the complex. The structure of this complex provides new insights into the mechanism through which Hif-1 alpha recruits CBP/p300 in response to hypoxia.

TAp63gamma (p51A) and dNp63alpha (p73L), two major isoforms of the p63 gene, exert opposite effects on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression

Tumor suppressor p53 has been shown to repress expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell-specific mitogen and a key mediator of tumor angiogenesis. The p63 gene, recently identified as a p53-relative, encodes multiple isoforms with structural and functional similarities and differences from p53. In this study, we show the evidence that the two major isoforms of the p63 gene, TAp63gamma (p51A) and dNp63alpha (p73L), represses and upregulates VEGF expression, respectively, on transcription and protein levels. Transient transfection assays show that a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1 binding site within the VEGF promoter region is responsible for both upregulation and repression by dNp63alpha and by TAp63gamma, respectively, of the VEGF promoter activity. We also show that TAp63gamma targets HIF1alpha for promoting proteasomal degradation but that dNp63alpha targets HIF1alpha for stabilization. Mammalian two-hybrid assays show that HIF1alpha-dependent transcription is repressed by TAp63gamma as well as by p53, whereas it is upregulated by dNp63alpha in collaboration with a transcription coactivator p300. Our data also show that dNp63alpha acts as a dominant-negative reagent toward both p53- and TAp63gamma-mediated degradation of HIF1alpha and repression of HIF1alpha-dependent transcription. These results suggest that p63 is involved in the regulation of the VEGF gene expression and that modulation of VEGF expression by TAp63gamma and dNp63alpha is closely correlated with their distinct roles on the regulation of HIF1alpha stability.

The molecular biology of distraction osteogenesis

Distraction osteogenesis has become a mainstay in bone tissue engineering and has significantly improved our armamentarium for reconstructive craniomaxillofacial procedures. However, although the biomechanical, histological, and ultrastructural changes associated with distraction osteogenesis have been widely described, the molecular mechanisms governing the formation of new bone in the interfragmental gap of gradually distracted bone segments remain largely unclear. Recently, a rat model of mandibular distraction was described that provides an excellent environment for deciphering the molecular mechanisms that mediate distraction osteogenesis. This article presents the hypotheses and current research that have furthered knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that govern distraction osteogenesis. Recent studies have implicated a growing number of cytokines that are intimately involved in the regulation of bone synthesis and turnover. The gene regulation of numerous cytokines (transforming growth factor-beta1, -beta2, -beta3, bone morphogenetic proteins, insulin-like growth factor-1, fibroblast growth factor-2) and extracellular matrix proteins (osteonectin, osteopontin) during distraction osteogenesis have been best characterized and are discussed in this article. It is believed that understanding the biomolecular mechanisms that mediate membranous distraction osteogenesis may guide the development of targeted strategies designed to improve distraction osteogenesis and accelerate bone healing.

Oxygen sensors and angiogenesis

Local oxygen tension has a profound effect on the vasculature, which compensates vascular insufficiency through the induction of angiogenesis. An important mediator in this process is the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) complex, which is activated in hypoxic cells and increases transcription of a broad range of genes including angiogenic growth factors such as VEGF. HIF is primarily regulated through oxygen-dependent proteasomal destruction of the regulatory subunit, HIF-1 alpha or HIF-2 alpha. Regulation is through the modification of specific prolines in HIF- alpha chains which are hydroxylated by a recently identified family of enzymes which require molecular oxygen and 2-oxoglutarate as cosubstrates, and iron as a cofactor. Following modification HIF- alpha chains are captured by a ubiquitin ligase E3 complex containing the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumour suppressor protein. The HIF prolyl hydroxylases (PHD enzymes) act as oxygen sensors regulating HIF, and hence angiogenesis. The PHD-HIF-VHL system provides a range of opportunities for therapeutic manipulation.

c-Jun and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 functionally cooperate in hypoxia-induced gene transcription

Under low-oxygen conditions, cells develop an adaptive program that leads to the induction of several genes, which are transcriptionally regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). On the other hand, there are other factors which modulate the HIF-1-mediated induction of some genes by binding to cis-acting motifs present in their promoters. Here, we show that c-Jun functionally cooperates with HIF-1 transcriptional activity in different cell types. Interestingly, a dominant-negative mutant of c-Jun which lacks its transactivation domain partially inhibits HIF-1-mediated transcription. This cooperative effect is not due to an increase in the nuclear amount of the HIF-1alpha subunit, nor does it require direct binding of c-Jun to DNA. c-Jun and HIF-1alpha are able to associate in vivo but not in vitro, suggesting that this interaction involves the participation of additional proteins and/or a posttranslational modification of these factors. In this context, hypoxia induces phosphorylation of c-Jun at Ser(63) in endothelial cells. This process is involved in its cooperative effect, since specific blockade of the JNK pathway and mutation of c-Jun at Ser(63) and Ser(73) impair its functional cooperation with HIF-1. The functional interplay between c-Jun and HIF-1 provides a novel insight into the regulation of some genes, such as the one for VEGF, which is a key regulator of tumor angiogenesis.

Hypoxia: from molecular responses to ecosystem responses

Hypoxia affects thousands of km2 of marine waters all over the world, and has caused mass mortality of marine animals, benthic defaunation and decline in fisheries production in many places. The severity, frequency occurrence and spatial scale of hypoxia have increased in the last few decades. Due to rapid human population growth and global warming, the problem of hypoxia is likely to become worse in the coming years. Molecular responses of marine animals to hypoxia are poorly known. In many animals, a haem protein probably serves as the cellular sensor for oxygen, and reactive oxygen species are generated as signaling molecules. In mammal and fish, a heterodimeric transcription factor, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) has been identified. HIF-1 receives signals from the molecular oxygen senor through redox reactions and/or phosphorylation, and in turn, regulates the transcription of a number of hypoxia-inducible genes, including genes involved in erythropoiesis, angiogenesis and glycolysis. These molecular responses then cascade into a series of biochemical and physiological adjustments, enabling the animal to survive better under hypoxic conditions. Marine animals respond to hypoxia by first attempting to maintain oxygen delivery (e.g. increases in respiration rate, number of red blood cells, or oxygen binding capacity of hemoglobin), then by conserving energy (e.g. metabolic depression, down regulation of protein synthesis and down regulation/modification of certain regulatory enzymes). Upon exposure to prolonged hypoxia, animals must eventually resort to anaerobic respiration. Hypoxia reduces growth and feeding, which may eventually affect individual fitness. Effects of hypoxia on reproduction and development of marine animals, albeit important in affecting species survival, remain almost unknown. Many fish and marine organisms can detect, and actively avoid hypoxia. Some benthos may leave their burrows and move to sediment surface during hypoxia. These behaviorial changes may render the animals more vulnerable to predation. Hypoxia may eliminate sensitive species, thereby causing major changes in species composition of benthic, fish and phytoplankton communities. Decreases in species diversity and species richness are well documented, and changes in trophodynamics and functional groups have also been reported. Under hypoxic conditions, there is a general tendency for suspended feeders to be replaced by deposit feeders; demersal fish by pelagic fish; and macrobenthos by meiobenthos. Microflagellates and nanoplankton also tend to dominate in the phytoplankton community in hypoxic environments. Existing evidence suggest that recovery of benthic communities in temperate region take two to several years. Recovery however, appears to be much quicker in subtropical environments. In natural conditions, hypoxia is often associated with increases in ammonia, hydrogen sulphide and particulate organic materials. The inability to isolate effects of hypoxia from interactions of these compounding factors makes it difficult to attribute many of the observed ecological effects to hypoxia.

FIH-1: a novel protein that interacts with HIF-1alpha and VHL to mediate repression of HIF-1 transcriptional activity

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a master regulator of oxygen homeostasis that controls angiogenesis, erythropoiesis, and glycolysis via transcriptional activation of target genes under hypoxic conditions. O(2)-dependent binding of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor protein targets the HIF-1alpha subunit for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. The activity of the HIF-1alpha transactivation domains is also O(2) regulated by a previously undefined mechanism. Here, we report the identification of factor inhibiting HIF-1 (FIH-1), a protein that binds to HIF-1alpha and inhibits its transactivation function. In addition, we demonstrate that FIH-1 binds to VHL and that VHL also functions as a transcriptional corepressor that inhibits HIF-1alpha transactivation function by recruiting histone deacetylases. Involvement of VHL in association with FIH-1 provides a unifying mechanism for the modulation of HIF-1alpha protein stabilization and transcriptional activation in response to changes in cellular O(2) concentration.

Dissecting hypoxia-dependent and hypoxia-independent steps in the HIF-1alpha activation cascade: implications for HIF-1alpha gene therapy

The heterodimeric hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 is a master transcriptional regulator of oxygen homeostasis and a possible target for gene therapy of ischemic disease. Although the role of oxygen concentration in HIF-1a protein stabilization is well established, it is less clear whether and how oxygen-regulated mechanisms contribute to HIF-1a protein modifications, nuclear translocation, heterodimerization with the b-subunit, recruitment of cofactors, and gene trans-activation. Because the HIF-1a protein is proteolytically degraded under normoxic conditions, we established two HeLa Tet-Off cell lines (HT42 and HT43), which inducibly overexpress high levels of HIF-1a under normoxic conditions, allowing to distinguish hypoxia-dependent from hypoxia-independent activation mechanisms. Using these cells, we found that normoxically induced HIF-1a is localized to the nucleus, binds DNA, and trans-activates reporter and endogenous target genes. The levels of p53 expression remained unaffected. The MAP kinase inhibitor PD98059 attenuated HIF-1a protein modifications and trans-activation ability but not protein stabilization and DNA-binding activity. Because overexpressed HIF-1a is fully localized to the nucleus but displays only partial DNA-binding and trans-activation activity, mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent phosphorylation might be required for full HIF-1 activation. HIF-1a protein was also overexpressed in vivo, following the transplantation of HT42 cells into nude mice, demonstrating the feasibility of HIF-1a gene transfer.

Response to hypoxia involves transforming growth factor-beta2 and Smad proteins in human endothelial cells

Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) is a consistent component of ischemia that induces an inflammatory and prothrombotic response in the endothelium. In this report, it is demonstrated that exposure of endothelial cells to hypoxia (1% O(2)) increases messenger RNA and protein levels of transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2), a cytokine with potent regulatory effects on vascular inflammatory responses. Messenger RNA levels of the TGF-beta2 type II membrane receptor, which is a serine threonine kinase, also increased. The stimulatory effect of hypoxia was found to occur at the level of transcription of the TGF-beta2 gene and involves Smad proteins, a class of intracellular signaling proteins that mediates the downstream effects of TGF-beta receptors. Transient transfection studies showed that the region spanning -77 and -40 base pairs within the TGF-beta2 promoter (harboring a Smad-binding "CAGA box") is activated in hypoxic cells compared with nonhypoxic controls (P <.01). Hypoxia also stimulated transcription from another promoter, 3TP-Lux, a reporter construct responsive to Smads and TGF-beta. In addition, specific binding to a Smad-binding oligonucleotide was observed with nuclear extracts from hypoxic endothelial cells but not from nonhypoxic cells. It is concluded that Smad proteins, which can regulate endothelial responses to mechanical and inflammatory stress, also may play an important role in vascular responses to hypoxia and ischemia.

Two cysteine residues in the DNA-binding domain of CREB control binding to CRE and CREB-mediated gene expression

The cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) has been implicated in the regulation of numerous physiological functions including those of several hypoxia-responding genes. All CREB transcription-regulated genes harbor the eight base-pair cAMP-responsive element (CRE) or the seven base-pair AP-1 sequence. Utilizing mutational analysis and biochemical assays, we found that reduction of two cysteine residues located in the DNA-binding basic domain of CREB, enhances the binding efficiency of CREB to DNA and regulates CRE-mediated gene expression. Substitution of these residues to serine renders insensitivity to reduction, hypoxia and to the sulfhydryl-specific modifying agent, N-ethylmaleimide. These substitutions enhance the binding of CREB to its cognate DNA sites under oxidative conditions, and of the CREB-dependent gene expression during normoxia. These findings are supported by results of molecular modeling of the CREB-CRE interactions. We also found that HTLV-1 Tax enhancement of CREB binding to the cellular and the viral DNA sites and activation of the CRE-dependent gene expression are independent of CREB activation exerted by redox conditions. The genetic biochemical and molecular modeling presented in this work indicate that the two cysteine residues in the bZIP domain of CREB regulate the binding efficiency of CREB to its cognate DNA sites and as a consequence the activation of CREB-mediated gene expression.

Synergistic cooperation between hypoxia and transforming growth factor-beta pathways on human vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression

Signaling by transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta family members is mediated by Smad proteins that regulate gene transcription through functional cooperativity and association with other DNA-binding proteins. The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 is a transcriptional complex that plays a key role in oxygen-regulated gene expression. We demonstrate that hypoxia and TGF-beta cooperate in the induction of the promoter activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is a major stimulus in the promotion of angiogenesis. This cooperation has been mapped on the human VEGF promoter within a region at -1006 to -954 that contains functional DNA-binding sequences for HIF-1 and Smads. Optimal HIF-1alpha-dependent induction of the VEGF promoter was obtained in the presence of Smad3, suggesting an interaction between these proteins. Consistent with this, co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that HIF-1alpha physically associates with Smad3. These results demonstrate that both TGF-beta and hypoxia signaling pathways can synergize in the regulation of VEGF gene expression at the transcriptional level.

FIH-1: a novel protein that interacts with HIF-1alpha and VHL to mediate repression of HIF-1 transcriptional activity

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a master regulator of oxygen homeostasis that controls angiogenesis, erythropoiesis, and glycolysis via transcriptional activation of target genes under hypoxic conditions. O(2)-dependent binding of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor protein targets the HIF-1alpha subunit for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. The activity of the HIF-1alpha transactivation domains is also O(2) regulated by a previously undefined mechanism. Here, we report the identification of factor inhibiting HIF-1 (FIH-1), a protein that binds to HIF-1alpha and inhibits its transactivation function. In addition, we demonstrate that FIH-1 binds to VHL and that VHL also functions as a transcriptional corepressor that inhibits HIF-1alpha transactivation function by recruiting histone deacetylases. Involvement of VHL in association with FIH-1 provides a unifying mechanism for the modulation of HIF-1alpha protein stabilization and transcriptional activation in response to changes in cellular O(2) concentration.

Hypoxia regulation of gene transcription

The adaptive responses to hypoxia include the transcriptional activation of various genes like those encoding for glycolytic enzymes, growth factors and vasoactive peptides that tend to ameliorate the damaging effect of the lack of oxygen. Most of these genes are regulated by the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 complex (HIF-1), a heterodimer protein complex that activates transcription through binding to specific hypoxic-responsive sequences (HRE) present in those genes. Hypoxia induces HIF-1 complex formation by stabilizing the HIF-1alpha sub-unit, which under normoxic conditions is degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The molecular mechanisms by which cells sense the hypoxic signal and transduce the hypoxic response are still not clear. The more accepted models for oxygen sensing involve the participation of heme-proteins sensors or are based in redox-reactions which may or not involve participation of mitochondria.

MGA2 is involved in the low-oxygen response element-dependent hypoxic induction of genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Eukaryotes have the ability to respond to changes in oxygen tension by alterations in gene expression. For example, OLE1 expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is upregulated under hypoxic conditions. Previous studies have suggested that the pathway regulating OLE1 expression by unsaturated fatty acids may involve Mga2p and Spt23p, two structurally and functionally related proteins. To define the possible roles of each of these genes on hypoxia-induced OLE1 expression, we examined OLE1 expression under normoxia, hypoxia, and cobalt treatment conditions in Deltamga2 or Deltaspt23 deletion strains. The results of OLE1 promoter-lacZ reporter gene and Northern blot analyses showed that hypoxia- and cobalt-induced OLE1 expression was dramatically decreased in a Deltamga2 strain but not in a Deltaspt23 strain. Further analyses using low-oxygen response element (LORE)-CYC1-lacZ fusion reporter assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) demonstrated that MGA2 significantly affects the LORE-dependent hypoxic induction pathway of gene expression. When MGA2 was supplied by a plasmid, the LORE-dependent hypoxia-inducible reporter expression was recovered, as was the hypoxia-inducible complex in EMSAs in the S. cerevisiae Deltamga2 strain. Supershift analysis of EMSAs using crude extracts containing mycMga2p indicated that Mga2p is a component of the LORE-binding complex. Another LORE-dependent, hypoxia-inducible gene, ATF1, was similarly affected in the Deltamga2 strain. These results indicate that MGA2 is required for the LORE-dependent hypoxic gene induction in S. cerevisiae.

Transcriptional regulation of vascular development

Vascular development is a highly organized sequence of events that requires the correct spatial and temporal expression of specific sets of genes leading to the development of a primary vascular network. The first step in this process is the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into endothelial cells. This is followed by endothelial proliferation, migration, and eventual formation of endothelial tubes. Maturation of these primitive tubes into fully developed blood vessels requires the recruitment of surrounding pericytes and their differentiation into vascular smooth muscle cells. Many of the events that occur during vasculogenesis are recapitulated during angiogenesis. Transcription factors have been shown to serve as master switches for regulating a number of developmental processes. Using a candidate gene approach, the genomic regulatory regions required to direct vascular-specific gene expression of several receptor tyrosine kinases that are critical for vasculogenesis have been characterized and some of the transcription factors that are involved in the regulation of these genes have recently been identified. Many of these factors are also involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis and may have overlapping functions in determining hematopoietic and endothelial differentiation. Targeted disruption of other transcription factors that were not previously thought to be involved in vascular development have also been recently shown to play a role in blood vessel development. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the progress that has been made in our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of vascular development over the past few years.

Involvement of PLAGL2 in activation of iron deficient- and hypoxia-induced gene expression in mouse cell lines

We searched iron-deficient inducible cDNA, using subtraction cloning and mRNA from desferrioxamine-treated mouse macrophage Raw264.7 cells. We identified a pleomorphic adenoma gene like 2 (PLAGL2), one of PLAG superfamily proteins exhibiting antiproliferative properties on tumor cells. Mouse PLAGL2 consists of 496 amino acids with seven C2H2 zinc-fingers. PLAGL2 mRNA was induced in RAW264.7 cells, mouse erythroleukemia cells and Balb/c 3T3 cells when they were treated with desferrioxamine. Hypoxia also increased PLAGL2 mRNA. Expression of PLAGL2 in COS-7 cells led to nuclear localization. PLAGL2 had potential binding ability to GC-rich oligonucleotide and activated transcription of a gene with the binding sequence in transient reporter assay, a finding consistent with a case seen in a PLAGL2 homolog, ZAC-1. Transient co-transfection of PLAGL2 or ZAC1 cDNA and a reporter containing a lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) promoter carrying the hypoxia inducible factor-1 responsive element led to an increase in the basal transcription in Balb/c 3T3 and HepG2 cells. Activation in transcription from the LDHA promoter increased by desferrioxamine treatment or hypoxia was further enhanced when PLAGL2 was expressed. We propose that PLAGL2 is involved in the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of tumor cells by regulating iron depletion- or hypoxia-inducible gene expression.