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

Inhibitor of DNA binding 1 activates vascular endothelial growth factor through enhancing the stability and activity of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha

Inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (Id-1) has been implicated in tumor angiogenesis by regulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but its molecular mechanism has not been fully understood. Here, we show the cross talk between Id-1 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), that Id-1 induces VEGF by enhancing the stability and activity of HIF-1alpha in human endothelial and breast cancer cells. Although both the transcript and proteins levels of VEGF were induced by Id-1, only the protein expression of HIF-1alpha was induced without transcriptional changes in both human umbilical endothelial cells and MCF7 breast cancer cells. Such induction of the HIF-1alpha protein did not require de novo protein synthesis but was dependent on the active extracellular response kinase (ERK) pathway. In addition, stability of the HIF-1alpha protein was enhanced in part by the reduced association of the HIF-1alpha protein with von Hippel-Lindau protein in the presence of Id-1. Furthermore, Id-1 enhanced nuclear translocation and the transcriptional activity of HIF-1alpha. Transcriptional activation of HIF-1-dependent promoters was dependent on the active ERK pathway, and the association of HIF-1alpha protein with cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein was enhanced by Id-1. Finally, Id-1 induced tube formation in human umbilical endothelial cells, which also required active ERK signaling. In conclusion, we provide the molecular mechanism of the cross talk between HIF-1alpha and Id-1, which may play a critical role in tumor angiogenesis.

Regulation of Cited2 expression provides a functional link between translational and transcriptional responses during hypoxia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Protein synthesis rates are greatly reduced under hypoxic conditions as a consequence of an overall inhibition of mRNA translation. Certain specific mRNA species have the ability to escape this general translational repression. At the cellular level this results in differential protein expression during hypoxic conditions. The objective of this study was to characterize the translational regulation of the postulated HIF-1alpha antagonist Cited2.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DU145 prostate carcinoma cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts with a homozygous knock-in mutation for eIF2alpha (S51A) or wild-type eIF2alpha were exposed to severe hypoxia after which both total mRNA and efficiently translated mRNA were isolated. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure and compare changes in transcription (total mRNA) with changes in translation (efficiently translated mRNA fraction).

RESULTS

We show using HIF-1alpha null MEF cells that transcriptional induction of Cited2 during hypoxia is dependent on HIF-1alpha. Although global mRNA translation is inhibited during hypoxia Cited2 mRNA remains efficiently translated. An evolutionary conserved upstream open reading frame (uORF) in the 5'UTR of Cited2 did not stimulate translation in an eIF2alpha dependent manner during hypoxia.

CONCLUSIONS

Selective translation Cited2 by an eIF2alpha independent mechanism establishes a link between translation and HIF-1 dependent transcription during hypoxia.

PO2-dependent Differential Regulation of Multidrug Resistance 1 Gene Expression by the c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase Pathway

Hypoxia-induced multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene expression is known to be mediated by c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this action of JNK remain elusive. On the contrary, there has been increasing evidence for a negative correlation of JNK activity with MDR1 expression under normoxic conditions. Here, we present evidence that the JNK pathway represses MDR1 expression in normoxia and activates MDR1 expression in hypoxia. Our data show that JNK pathway-induced MDR1 repression in normoxia is mediated by increased c-Jun binding to activator protein 1 site, located in the MDR1 promoter, and requires the activity of histone deacetylase 5. In contrast, JNK pathway-induced MDR1 activation in hypoxia is independent of the activator protein 1 site. Rather, this action is dependent on increased hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) binding to the hypoxia response element in the MDR1 promoter, which is promoted by the interaction of HIF1alpha with c-Jun in the nucleus and requires the activity of the p300/CBP (CREB-binding protein) coactivator.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors synergize p300 autoacetylation that regulates its transactivation activity and complex formation

p300/cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein-binding protein (CBP) are general coactivators for multiple transcription factors involved in various cellular processes. Several highly conserved domains of p300/CBP serve as interacting sites for transcription factors and regulatory proteins. Particularly, the intrinsic histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity and transactivation domains (TAD) play essential roles for their coactivating function. Autoacetylation of p300/CBP is commonly observed in cell-free HAT assays and has been implicated in the regulation of their HAT activity. Here, we show that six lysine-rich regions in several highly conserved functional domains of p300 are targeted by p300HAT for acetylation in cell-free systems. We show that p300 is susceptible to acetylation in cultured tumor cells and that its acetylation status is affected by histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A. We further show that either treatment with deacetylase inhibitors or coexpression of Gal4-p300HAT, which alone has no transactivation activity, stimulates the activity of the COOH-terminal TAD of p300 (p300C-TAD). We have defined the minimal p300C-TAD and show that it is sufficient to respond to deacetylase inhibitors and is a substrate for p300HAT. Finally, we show that acetylated p300 possesses enhanced ability to interact with p53. Taken together, our data suggest that acetylation regulates p300C-TAD and that acetylation of p300/CBP may contribute to the dynamic regulation of their complex formation with various interacting partners.

Hypoxia-induced and stress-specific changes in chromatin structure and function

Cellular adaptation to stress relies on specific, regulated responses to evoke changes in gene expression. Stresses such as hypoxia, heat shock, oxidative stress and DNA-damage activate signaling cascades that ultimately lead to either induction or repression of stress-responsive genes. In this review, we concentrate on the mechanisms by which stress-induced signaling promotes alterations in chromatin structure, whether the read-out is activation or repression of transcription. Specific alterations in chromatin are highly regulated and dictated by the type of imposed stress. Our primary focus is on the types of chromatin alterations that occur under hypoxic conditions, which exist within a majority of tumors, and to compare these to changes in chromatin structure that occur in response to a wide variety of cellular stresses.

Regulation of angiogenesis by hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors

Maintenance of oxygen homeostasis is critical for the survival of multicellular organs. As a result, both invertebrates and vertebrates have developed highly specialized mechanisms to sense changes in oxygen levels and to mount adequate cellular and systemic responses to these changes. Hypoxia, or low oxygen tension, occurs in physiological situations such as during embryonic development, as well as in pathological conditions such as ischemia, wound healing, and cancer. A primary effector of the adaptive response to hypoxia in mammals is the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) family of transcription regulators. These proteins activate the expression of a broad range of genes that mediate many of the responses to decreased oxygen concentration, including enhanced glucose uptake, increased red blood cell production, and the formation of new blood vessels via angiogenesis. This latter process is dynamic and results in the establishment of a mature vascular system that is indispensable for proper delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all cells in both normal tissue and hypoxic regions. Angiogenesis is essential for normal development and neoplastic disease as tumors must develop mechanisms to stimulate vascularization to meet increasing metabolic demands. The link between hypoxia and the regulation of angiogenesis is an area of intense research and the molecular details of this connection are still being elaborated. This chapter will provide an overview of current knowledge and highlight new insights into the importance of HIF and hypoxia in angiogenesis in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

Organ protection by hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors

Since the first description of a protective effect of hypoxic preconditioning in the heart, the principle of reducing tissue injury in response to ischemia by prior exposure to hypoxia was confirmed in a number of cells and organs. However, despite impressive preclinical results, hypoxic preconditioning has so far failed to reach clinical application. Nevertheless, it remains of significant interest to induce genes that are normally activated during hypoxia and ischemia as part of an endogenous escape mechanism prior to or during the early phase of an ischemic insult. This approach has recently been greatly facilitated by the identification of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), transcription factors that operate as a master switch in the cellular response to hypoxia. Far more than 100 target genes are regulated by HIF, including genes such as erythropoietin and hemoxygenase-1, which have been shown to be tissue-protective. The identification of small molecule inhibitors of the oxygen-sensing HIF-prolyl hydroxlases now offers the possibility to mimic the hypoxic response by pharmacological stabilization of HIF in order to achieve organ protection. Oxygen-independent activation of HIF is therefore a promising therapeutic strategy for the prevention of organ injury and failure.

Regulation of hypoxia-inducible factors during inflammation

The microenvironment of inflamed and injured tissue is characterized by low levels of oxygen and glucose and high levels of inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen, and nitrogen species and metabolites. The transcription factor complex hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 is regulated by hypoxia as well as by a broad variety of inflammatory mediators. In cells of the innate and adaptive immune system, HIF-1 is upregulated by bacterial and viral compounds, even under normoxic conditions. This upregulation prepares these cells to migrate to and to function in hypoxic and inflamed tissues. Once extravasated from the vasculature, the activity of cells is further enhanced by stimulation of HIF-1 by proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin (IL)-1beta (beta) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha (alpha), and locally expressed tissue factors. Crosstalk between hypoxic induction of HIF-1 and other signaling pathways activated by inflammation ensures a cell type-specific and stimulus-adequate cellular response. Prolonged activation of HIF-1 under conditions of inflammation, however, may contribute to the survival of damaged tissue and cells, thus promoting the development of tumors.

Tumor hypoxia and targeted gene therapy

Hypoxia is an integral characteristic of the tumor microenvironment, primarily due to the microvascular defects that accompany the accelerated neoplastic growth. The presence of tumor hypoxic areas correlates with negative outcome after radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, as hypoxia not only provides an environment directly facilitating chemo- and radio-resistance, but also encourages the evolution of phenotypic changes inducing permanent resistance to treatment and metastatic spread. Therefore, successful treatment of hypoxic cells has the potential to not only improve local control but also impact overall patient survival. Specific and selective targeting of hypoxic tumor areas can be achieved at all three steps of a gene therapy treatment: delivery of the therapeutic gene to the tumor, regulation of gene expression, and therapeutic efficacy. In this review the latest developments and innovations in hypoxia-targeted gene therapy are discussed. In particular, approaches such as hypoxia-conditionally replicating viruses, cellular vehicles, and gene therapy means to disrupt the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling are outlined.

Hypoxia-induced genetic instability--a calculated mechanism underlying tumor progression

The cause of human cancers is imputed to the genetic alterations at nucleotide and chromosomal levels of ill-fated cells. It has long been recognized that genetic instability-the hallmark of human cancers-is responsible for the cellular changes that confer progressive transformation on cancerous cells. How cancer cells acquire genetic instability, however, is unclear. We propose that tumor development is a result of expansion and progression-two complementary aspects that collaborate with the tumor microenvironment-hypoxia in particular, on genetic alterations through the induction of genetic instability. In this article, we review the recent literature regarding how hypoxia functionally impairs various DNA repair pathways resulting in genetic instability and discuss the biomedical implications in cancer biology and treatment.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)

Adaptation to low oxygen tension (hypoxia) in cells and tissues leads to the transcriptional induction of a series of genes that participate in angiogenesis, iron metabolism, glucose metabolism, and cell proliferation/survival. The primary factor mediating this response is the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), an oxygen-sensitive transcriptional activator. HIF-1 consists of a constitutively expressed subunit HIF-1beta and an oxygen-regulated subunit HIF-1alpha (or its paralogs HIF-2alpha and HIF-3alpha). The stability and activity of the alpha subunit of HIF are regulated by its post-translational modifications such as hydroxylation, ubiquitination, acetylation, and phosphorylation. In normoxia, hydroxylation of two proline residues and acetylation of a lysine residue at the oxygen-dependent degradation domain (ODDD) of HIF-1alpha trigger its association with pVHL E3 ligase complex, leading to HIF-1alpha degradation via ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In hypoxia, the HIF-1alpha subunit becomes stable and interacts with coactivators such as cAMP response element-binding protein binding protein/p300 and regulates the expression of target genes. Overexpression of HIF-1 has been found in various cancers, and targeting HIF-1 could represent a novel approach to cancer therapy.

Proteasomal inhibition attenuates transcriptional activity of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) via specific effect on the HIF-1alpha C-terminal activation domain

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) is involved in regulation of multiple cellular processes. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) is a prototypic target of the UPP and, as such, is stabilized under conditions of proteasomal inhibition. Using carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression as paradigmatic markers of HIF-1 activity, we found that proteasomal inhibitors (PI) abrogated hypoxia-induced CAIX expression in all cell lines tested and VEGF expression in two out of three. Mapping of the inhibitory effect identified the C-terminal activation domain (CAD) of HIF-1 alpha as the primary target of PI. PI specifically inhibited the HIF-1 alpha CAD despite activating the HIF-1 alpha coactivator p300 and another p300 cysteine/histidine-rich domain 1-dependent transcription factor, STAT-2. Coimmunoprecipitation and glutathione S-transferase pull downs indicated that PI does not disrupt interactions between HIF-1 alpha and p300. Mutational analysis failed to confirm involvement of sites of known or putative posttranslational modifications in regulation of HIF-1 alpha CAD function by PI. Our data provide evidence for the counterintuitive hypothesis that inhibition of HIF-1 function could be responsible for at least some of the antitumor effects of proteasomal inhibition. Further studies of the mechanism of the PI-induced attenuation of HIF-1alpha will provide important, potentially novel insight into regulation of HIF-1 activity and possibly identify new targets for HIF-directed therapy.

Clioquinol, a Cu(II)/Zn(II) chelator, inhibits both ubiquitination and asparagine hydroxylation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha, leading to expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and erythropoietin in normoxic cells

We found that the Cu(II) and Zn(II)-specific chelator Clioquinol (10-50 microM) increased functional hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) protein, leading to increased expression of its target genes, vascular endothelial growth factors and erythropoietin, in SH-SY5Y cells and HepG2 cells. Clioquinol inhibited ubiquitination of HIF-1alpha in a Cu(II)- and Zn(II)-dependent manner. It prevents FIH-1 from hydroxylating the asparagine residue (803) of HIF-1alpha in a Cu(II)- and Zn(II)-independent fashion. Therefore, it leads to the accumulation of HIF-1alpha that is prolyl but not asparaginyl hydroxylated. Consistent with this, co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that Clioquinol-induced HIF-1alpha interacted with cAMP-responsive element-binding protein in normoxic cells, implying that Clioquinol stabilizes the trans-active form of HIF-1alpha. Our results indicate that Clioquinol could be useful as an inducer of HIF-1alpha and its target genes in ischemic diseases.

Direct transcriptional up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 promotes colorectal tumor cell survival and enhances HIF-1 transcriptional activity during hypoxia

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, the inducible key enzyme for prostanoid biosynthesis, is overexpressed in most colorectal carcinomas and a subset of colorectal adenomas. Genetic, biochemical, and clinical evidence indicates an important role for COX-2 in colorectal tumorigenesis. Although COX-2 can be induced by aberrant growth factor signaling and oncogene activation during colorectal tumorigenesis, the role of microenvironmental factors such as hypoxia in COX-2 regulation remains to be elucidated. For the first time, we report that under hypoxic conditions COX-2 protein levels increase in colorectal adenoma and carcinoma cells. Rigorous analyses reveal that COX-2 up-regulation is transcriptional and is associated with hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha induction. Oligonucleotide pull-down and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays reveal that HIF-1alpha binds a hypoxia-responsive element on the COX-2 promoter. COX-2 up-regulation during hypoxia is accompanied by increased levels of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), which promote tumor cell survival under hypoxic conditions. In addition, elevated levels of PGE(2) in hypoxic colorectal tumor cells enhance vascular endothelial growth factor expression and HIF-1 transcriptional activity by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, showing a potential positive feedback loop that contributes to COX-2 up-regulation during hypoxia. This study identifies COX-2 as a direct target for HIF-1 in colorectal tumor cells. In addition, COX-2 up-regulation represents a pivotal cellular adaptive response to hypoxia with implication for colorectal tumor cell survival and angiogenesis. We propose that using modified COX-2-selective inhibitors, which are only activated under hypoxic conditions, could potentially be a novel more selective strategy for colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.

Casein kinase 2 inhibition decreases hypoxia-inducible factor-1 activity under hypoxia through elevated p53 protein level

HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1) is the main transcription factor involved in the adaptation of cells to hypoxia. In addition to regulation of HIF-1alpha protein level, HIF-1 activity is also enhanced by several pathways involving asparagine hydroxylation and phosphorylation. Here, we investigated the relationship between casein kinase 2 (CK2), p53 and HIF-1. An increase in p53 protein level and transcriptional activity was observed when CK2 was inhibited by different inhibitors under normoxia and hypoxia. This increase was in parallel with a decrease in HIF-1 activity without changes in HIF-1alpha protein level, indicating a regulation of its transcriptional activity. Similar results were obtained using CK2alpha siRNA. Ectopic overexpression of p53 also led to an inhibition of HIF-1 activity. Conversely, CK2 inhibition had no effect in p53-null cells indicating that the inhibitory effect of CK2 inhibitors requires the presence of p53. p53 activity was not required because overexpression of a p53 mutated in its DNA-binding domain exerted the same effect as wild-type p53 and because the effect of CK2 inhibitors was still observed when p53 activity was inhibited by pifithrin-alpha. Since CK2 activity is increased in hypoxic conditions, this process provides one more mechanism to ensure enhanced HIF-1 activity under such conditions.

Effects of magnesium sulfate administration during hypoxia on CaM kinase IV and protein tyrosine kinase activities in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets

The present study tested the hypothesis that magnesium sulfate administration prior to hypoxia prevents hypoxia-induced increase in Ca(2+)/Calmodulin-dependent-kinase (CaM Kinase) IV and Protein Tyrosine Kinase (PTK ) activities. Animals were randomly divided into normoxic (Nx), hypoxic (Hx) and magnesium-pretreated hypoxic (Mg(2+)-Hx) groups. Cerebral hypoxia was confirmed biochemically by measuring ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) levels. CaM Kinase IV and PTK activities were determined in Nx, Hx and Mg(2+)-Hx newborn piglets. There was a significant difference between CaM kinase IV activity (pmoles/mg protein/min) in Nx (270 +/- 49), Mg(2+)-Hx (317 +/- 82) and Hx (574 +/- 41, P < 0.05 vs. Nx and Mg(2+)-Hx) groups. Similarly, there was a significant difference between Protein Tyrosine Kinase activity (pmoles/mg protein/h) in normoxic (378 +/- 68), Mg(2+)-Hx (455 +/- 67) and Hx (922 +/- 66, P < 0.05 vs. Nx and Mg(2+)-Hx ) groups. We conclude that magnesium sulfate administration prior to hypoxia prevents hypoxia-induced increase in CaM Kinase IV and Protein Tyrosine Kinase activities. We propose that by blocking the NMDA receptor ion-channel mediated Ca(2+)-flux, magnesium sulfate administration inhibits the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent activation of CaMKIV and prevents the generation of nitric oxide free radicals and the subsequent increase in PTK activity. As a result, phosphorylation of CREB and Bcl-2 family of proteins is prevented leading to prevention of programmed cell death.

A constitutively active hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha/VP16 hybrid factor activates expression of the human B-type natriuretic peptide gene

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a primary regulator of the physiological response to hypoxia. A recombinant adenovirus expressing a constitutively active hybrid form of the HIF-1alpha subunit (Ad2/HIF-1alpha/VP16) is being evaluated as a gene therapy for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. Ad2/HIF-1alpha/VP16 up-regulates known HIF-1-responsive genes, including those involved in angiogenesis. Expression profile analysis revealed that the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) gene was significantly up-regulated in response to HIF-1alpha/VP16 in human fetal cardiac cells. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses confirmed transcriptional activation of the BNP gene by HIF-1alpha/VP16 in human but not rat cardiac cells. Because hypoxia itself did not increase human BNP gene expression in these analyses, the mechanism of the HIF-1alpha/VP16 effect was determined. Analyses of promoter deletion mutants suggested that the cis-acting sequence in the human BNP promoter mediating activation by HIF-1alpha/VP16 was a putative HIF-1 responsive element (HRE) located at -466. An SV40 basal promoter-luciferase plasmid containing a minimal BNP HRE was up-regulated by HIF-1alpha/VP16, whereas a similar construct carrying a mutation within the HIF-1 binding site was not. Mutation of an E-box motif within the BNP HRE reduced HIF-1alpha/VP16-mediated transcriptional activation by 50%. Gel-shift analyses showed that both the native HIF-1alpha and HIF-1alpha/VP16 are able to bind to a probe containing the HIF-1 binding site. These experiments demonstrate the existence of a functional HRE in the BNP promoter and further define the scope and mechanism of action of Ad2/HIF-1alpha/VP16.

Oncolytic replication-competent adenovirus suppresses tumor angiogenesis through preserved E1A region

An adenovirus (Adv) retaining normal E1A but lacking the 55 kDa E1B protein replicates preferentially in TP53-deficient cancer cells including pancreatic cancer cell lines, resulting in the oncolysis of the tumor. When tumor cells are exposed to hypoxia, hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) is stabilized and activated to promote the transcription of several genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but in the presence of E1A hypoxia-induced VEGF m-RNA synthesis is inhibited by E1A binding to p300. In this study, we demonstrated that the cancer cells infected with a mutant Adv in which the p300 binding site in E1A was partially deleted induced a higher expression level of VEGF as compared to those of Adv with normal E1A. An immunoprecipitation study for E1A confirmed that mutant E1A had a reduced binding capacity for p300. Although the expressions of HIF-1alpha m-RNA were almost the same in both cancer cells infected with the mutant Adv and those with the wild Adv, the amount of HIF-1alpha protein in cancer cells infected with the wild E1A Adv was lower than in those infected with the mutant E1A type Adv. In vivo, in contrast to the angiogenesis treated with mutant E1A, wild-E1A inhibited tumor angiogenesis significantly. These results suggested that E1A suppressed the production of VEGF and inhibited tumor angiogenesis by binding with p300, resulting in the inhibition of the HIF-1alpha-mediated transcription of genes through binding to HRE. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the effect of an oncolytic replication-competent Adv in inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.

GA-binding protein and p300 are essential components of a retinoic acid-induced enhanceosome in myeloid cells

Expression of CD18, the beta chain of the leukocyte integrins, is transcriptionally regulated by retinoic acid (RA) in myeloid cells. Full RA responsiveness of the CD18 gene requires its proximal promoter, which lacks a retinoic acid response element (RARE). Rather, RA responsiveness of the CD18 proximal promoter requires ets sites that are bound by GA-binding protein (GABP). The transcriptional coactivator, p300, further increases CD18 RA responsiveness. We demonstrate that GABPalpha, the ets DNA-binding subunit of GABP, physically interacts with p300 in myeloid cells. This interaction involves the GABPalpha pointed domain (PNT) and identifies p300 as the first known interaction partner of GABPalpha PNT. Expression of the PNT domain, alone, disrupts the GABPalpha-p300 interaction and decreases the RA responsiveness of the CD18 proximal promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and chromosome conformation capture demonstrate that, in the presence of RA, GABPalpha and p300 at the proximal promoter recruit retinoic acid receptor/retinoid X receptor from a distal RARE to form an enhanceosome. A dominant negative p300 construct disrupts enhanceosome formation and reduces the RA responsiveness of CD18. Thus, proteins on the CD18 proximal promoter recruit the distal RARE in the presence of RA. This is the first description of an RA-induced enhanceosome and demonstrates that GABP and p300 are essential components of CD18 RA responsiveness in myeloid cells.

Xanthine oxidase-dependent regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor in cancer cells

During chemical hypoxia induced by cobalt chloride (CoCl2), hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF1-alpha) mediates the induction of a variety of genes including erythropoietin and vascular endothelial growth factor. We used glioma cells with oxidative phosphorylation-dependent (D54-MG) and glycolytic-dependent (U251-MG) phenotypes to monitor HIF1-alpha regulation in association with redox responsiveness to CoCl2 treatment. We showed that CoCl2 increased xanthine oxidase (XO)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes accumulation of HIF1-alpha protein in U251-MG cells. Under these conditions, blockade of XO activity by pharmacologic (N-acetyl-L-cysteine or allopurinol) or molecular (by small interfering RNA) approaches significantly attenuated HIF1-alpha expression. Exogenous H2O2 stabilizes HIF1-alpha protein. XO was present in these cells and was the primary source of free radicals. We also showed higher XO activity in cells exposed to CoCl2 compared with cells grown in normoxia. From the experiments shown here, we concluded that ROS were indeed generated in D54-MG cells exposed to CoCl2 but it was unlikely that ROS participated in the hypoxic signal transduction pathways in this cell type. Possibly, cell type-dependent and stimulus-dependent factors may control ROS dependency or redox sensitivity of HIF1-alpha and thus HIF1-alpha activation either directly or by induction of specific signaling cascades. Our findings reveal that XO-derived ROS is a novel and critical component of HIF1-alpha regulation in U251-MG cells, pointing toward a more general role of this transcription factor in tumor progression.

HATs and HDACs in neurodegeneration: a tale of disconcerted acetylation homeostasis

Gradual disclosure of the molecular basis of selective neuronal apoptosis during neurodegenerative diseases reveals active participation of acetylating and deacetylating agents during the process. Several studies have now successfully manipulated neuronal vulnerability by influencing the dose and enzymatic activity of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), enzymes regulating acetylation homeostasis within the nucleus, thus focusing on the importance of balanced acetylation status in neuronal vitality. It is now increasingly becoming clear that acetylation balance is greatly impaired during neurodegenerative conditions. Herein, we attempt to illuminate molecular means by which such impairment is manifested and how the compromised acetylation homeostasis is intimately coupled to neurodegeneration. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of reinstating the HAT-HDAC balance to ameliorate neurodegenerative diseases.

BRCA1 plays a role in the hypoxic response by regulating HIF-1alpha stability and by modulating vascular endothelial growth factor expression

A recent study of breast cancer patients with and without BRCA1 gene mutations found significantly lower levels of VEGF in serum from patients with BRCA1 mutations (Tarnowski, B., Chudecka-Glaz, A., Gorski, B., and Rzepka-Gorska, I. (2004) Breast Cancer Res. Treat. 88, 287-288). Here, we describe a possible mechanistic explanation for this correlation. Because hypoxia in tumors stimulates VEGF expression and secretion we hypothesized that altered BRCA1 protein levels in breast tumors could affect hypoxia-stimulated VEGF promoter activity. This possibility was tested in cells transfected with various combinations of expression plasmids for BRCA1, BRCA1 specific inhibitory RNAs (BRCA1-siRNAs), HIF-1alpha, and a VEGF promoter-reporter and then incubated in normoxia (21%, O2) or hypoxia (0.1%, O2). As predicted, increased BRCA1 levels enhanced both hypoxia-stimulated VEGF promoter activity and the amounts of VEGF mRNA, as determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR and quantitative real time PCR. Using the ChIP assay, we discovered that BRCA1 could be recruited to the endogenous human VEGF promoter along with HIF-1alpha following hypoxia. An interaction between BRCA1 and HIF-1alpha was found in human breast cancer cells. We also found that hypoxia-stimulated VEGF promoter activity and secretion was reduced in cells containing reduced amounts of endogenous BRCA1 protein (obtained by transfecting with BRCA1 siRNAs). A mechanistic explanation for these effects is provided by our finding a reduced half-life and reduced accumulation of HIF-1alpha in hypoxic cells transfected with BRCA1-siRNAs and that proteasome inhibitors blocked these effects of BRCA1-siRNAs. Thus, our results suggest that normal amounts of BRCA1 function in hypoxia to regulate HIF-1alpha stability, probably by interacting with HIF-1alpha.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors repress the transactivation potential of hypoxia-inducible factors independently of direct acetylation of HIF-alpha

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are heterodimeric transcription factors regulating the oxygen supply, glucose metabolism, and angiogenesis. HIF function requires the recruitment of p300/CREB-binding protein, two coactivators with histone acetyltransferase activity, by the C-terminal transactivation domain of HIF-alpha (HIF-alphaCAD). Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDAIs) induce differentiation or apoptosis and repress tumor growth and angiogenesis, hence being explored intensively as anti-cancer agents. Using combined pharmacological, biochemical, and genetic approaches, here we show that HDAIs repress the transactivation potential of HIF-alphaCAD. This repression is independent of the function of tumor suppressors von Hippel-Lindau or p53 or the degradation of HIF-alpha. We also demonstrate the sufficiency of low concentrations of HDAIs in repression of HIF target genes in tumor cells. We further show that HDAIs induce hyperacetylation of p300 and repress the HIF-1alpha.p300 complex in vivo. In vitro acetylation analysis reveals that the p300CH1 region, but not HIF-alphaCAD, is susceptible to acetylation. Taken together, our data demonstrate that a deacetylase activity is indispensable for the transactivation potential of HIF-alphaCAD and support a model that acetylation regulates HIF function by targeting HIF-alpha.p300 complex, not by direct acetylating HIF-alpha. The demonstration that HDAIs repress both HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha transactivation potential independently of von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor and p53 function indicates that HDAIs may have biological effects in a broad range of tissues in addition to tumors.

Understanding hypoxia-induced gene expression in early development: in vitro and in vivo analysis of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-regulated zebra fish insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 gene expression

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) is a hypoxia-inducible gene that plays an important role in regulating embryonic growth and development under hypoxic stress. The molecular mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced IGFBP-1 gene expression in the embryonic tissues are not well understood. Here we report that the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) pathway is established in early embryogenesis and mediates hypoxia-induced IGFBP-1 expression. Hypoxia increased the HIF-1 activity, and HIF-1alpha overexpression or CoCl2 treatment resulted in elevated IGFBP-1 expression in zebra fish embryos. Although the zebra fish IGFBP-1 promoter contains 13 consensus hypoxia response elements (HREs), deletion and mutational analysis revealed that only the HRE positioned at -1090/-1086 is required for the hypoxia and HIF-1 induction. Further experiments revealed that there is an HIF-1 ancillary sequence (HAS) adjacent only to the functional HRE. Mutation of this HAS greatly reduced the responsiveness of the IGFBP-1 promoter to hypoxia and HIF-1. The HAS does not directly bind to HIF-1 or affect the binding of the HRE to HIF-1. The HAS is bound to a nuclear protein(s), and this HAS binding activity is reduced by hypoxia. These results suggest that HIF-1 mediates hypoxia-induced IGFBP-1 gene expression in early development by selectively interacting with the -1090/-1086 HRE and its adjacent HAS.

Activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 during macrophage differentiation

Monocytes/macrophages of the myeloid lineage are the main cellular effectors of innate immunity. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is essential for myeloid cell activation in response to inflammatory stimuli. However, it has not been established whether HIF-1 activity is induced during differentiation from monocyte to macrophage. We demonstrate that macrophage differentiation of THP-1 cells or monocytes from peripheral blood induces increased expression of both HIF-1alpha and HIF-1beta as well as increased HIF-1 transcriptional activity leading to increased expression of HIF-1 target genes. The increased HIF-1 activity in differentiated THP-1 cells resulted from the combined effect of increased HIF-1alpha mRNA levels and increased HIF-1alpha protein synthesis. Differentiation-induced HIF-1alpha protein and mRNA and HIF-1-dependent gene expression was blocked by treating cells with an inhibitor of the protein kinase C or MAP kinase signaling pathway. THP-1 cell differentiation was also associated with increased phosphorylation of the translational regulatory proteins p70 S6 kinase, S6 ribosomal protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E, and 4E binding protein 1, thus providing a possible mechanism for the modulation of HIF-1alpha protein synthesis. RNA interference studies demonstrated that HIF-1alpha is dispensable for macrophage differentiation but is required for functional maturation.

Oxygen, epigenetics and stem cell fate

Coordinated interactions between the embryo/fetus and its environment are critical for proper development. In addition to acting as metabolic substrates for cellular homeostasis, basic physiological factors, such as oxygen tension, have a profound influence on developmental outcomes. Since the mammalian embryo resides in a physiologically hypoxic environment during gestation, understanding its responses to oxygen deprivation on a cellular level is critical. In this review, we analyze interactions between the hypoxia-inducible factor family of transcriptional regulators and epigenetic mechanisms governing chromatin structure. The ability of hypoxia-inducible factors to interact physically with histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes and modulate nuclear HDAC activities places them in the pivotal position of integrating physiological and epigenetic effectors. Multiple embryonic and extra-embryonic stem cell populations in mice and humans rely on this interaction – an important determinant of stem cell fate. Dissection of the pathways involved will provide novel insights into the metabolic as well as molecular determinants of the stem cell niches that allow self-renewal of progenitors in an undifferentiated state.

Polymorphisms in IGF-binding protein 1 are associated with impaired renal function in type 2 diabetes

The dysregulation of the IGF system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity, diabetes, and diabetes complications such as nephropathy, but little is known about the genomics of the IGF system in health and disease. We genotyped 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IGFBP1 gene in 732 representative type 2 diabetic patients from the Salford Diabetes Register. Of the 13 SNPs, 8 were polymorphic and 7 of those had minor allele frequencies >0.1, one of which was in the gene promoter and one of which was nonsynonymous in exon 4. The minor alleles of these SNPs and two others were associated with a reduced prevalence of diabetic nephropathy. Haplotype analysis revealed that 97% of the genetic variation for IGFBP1 in the population sample could be accounted for using two of the "reno-protective" SNPs, with other SNPs adding little extra information. One of these two SNPs was the nonsynonymous mutation in exon 4, lying close to the integrin-binding RGD motif, which is thought to affect tissue delivery of IGF-I by IGF-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), possibly suggesting a "reno-protective" effect via altered IGFBP-1 binding. In conclusion, we have described the first genomic markers to be associated with diabetic microvascular complications within the human IGFBP1 gene.

Integration of oxygen signaling at the consensus HRE

The hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) was initially identified as a transcription factor that regulated erythropoietin gene expression in response to a decrease in oxygen availability in kidney tissue. Subsequently, a family of oxygen-dependent protein hydroxylases was found to regulate the abundance and activity of three oxygen-sensitive HIFalpha subunits, which, as part of the HIF heterodimer, regulated the transcription of at least 70 different effector genes. In addition to responding to a decrease in tissue oxygenation, HIF is proactively induced, even under normoxic conditions, in response to stimuli that lead to cell growth, ultimately leading to higher oxygen consumption. The growing cell thus profits from an anticipatory increase in HIF-dependent target gene expression. Growth stimuli-activated signaling pathways that influence the abundance and activity of HIFs include pathways in which kinases are activated and pathways in which reactive oxygen species are liberated. These pathways signal to the HIF protein hydroxylases, as well as to HIF itself, by means of covalent or redox modifications and protein-protein interactions. The final point of integration of all of these pathways is the hypoxia-response element (HRE) of effector genes. Here, we provide comprehensive compilations of the known growth stimuli that promote increases in HIF abundance, of protein-protein interactions involving HIF, and of the known HIF effector genes. The consensus HRE derived from a comparison of the HREs of these HIF effectors will be useful for identification of novel HIF target genes, design of oxygen-regulated gene therapy, and prediction of effects of future drugs targeting the HIF system.

Hypoxic regulation of telomerase gene expression by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms

Basal telomerase activity is dependent on expression of the hTERT and hTR genes and upregulation of telomerase gene expression is associated with tumour development. It is therefore possible that signal transduction pathways involved in tumour development and features of the tumour environment itself may influence telomerase gene regulation. The majority of solid tumours contain regions of hypoxia and it has recently been demonstrated that hypoxia can increase telomerase activity by mechanisms that are still poorly defined. Here, we show that hypoxia induces the transcriptional activity of both hTR and hTERT gene promoters. While endogenous hTR expression is regulated at the transcriptional level, hTERT is subject to regulation by alternative splicing under hypoxic conditions, which involves a switch in the splice pattern in favour of the active variant. Furthermore, analysis of the chromatin landscape of the telomerase promoters reveals dynamic recruitment of a transcriptional complex involving the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 transcription factor, p300, RNA polymerase II and TFIIB, to both promoters during hypoxia, which traffics along and remains associated with the hTERT gene as transcription proceeds. These studies show that hTERT and hTR are subject to similar controls under hypoxia and highlight the rapid and dynamic regulation of the telomerase genes in vivo.

Transcriptional regulatory networks in lipid metabolism control ABCA1 expression

The ATP-binding cassette transporters, ABCA1 and ABCG1, are major players in mediating cellular efflux of phospholipids and cholesterol to apoA-I containing lipoproteins including prebeta-HDL and alphaHDL and thereby exert important antiatherogenic properties. Although the exact mechanisms how ABC transporters mediate lipid transport are not completely resolved, recent evidence from several laboratories including ours suggests that vesicular transport processes involving different interactive proteins like beta2-syntrophin, alpha1-syntrophin, Lin7, and cdc42 are critically involved in cellular lipid homeostasis controlled by ABCA1 and ABCG1. Besides sterols and fatty acids as known physiological modulators of the LXR/RXR and SREBP pathways, a growing list of natural and synthetic substances and metabolic regulators such as retinoids, PPAR-ligands, hormones, cytokines, and drugs are particularly effective in modulating ABCA1 and ABCG1 gene expression. Although ABCA1 protein amounts are regulated at the level of stability, the majority of potent activating and repressing mechanisms on ABCA1 function directly act on the ABCA1 gene promoter. Among the inducing factors, liver-X-receptors (LXR), retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) along with their coactivators provide an amplification loop for ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression. The ABCA1 promoter is further stimulated by the ubiquitous factor Sp1 and the hypoxia-induced factor 1 (HIF1), which bind to GC-boxes and the E-box, respectively. Shutdown of ABCA1 expression in the absence of sterols or in certain tissues is mediated by corepressor complexes involving unliganded LXR, sterol-regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2), Sp3, and the SCAN-domain protein ZNF202, which also impacts nuclear receptor signaling. Thus, a highly sophisticated transcriptional network controls the balanced expression of ABCA1.

Negative and positive regulation of HIF-1: a complex network

Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is as a key transcriptional mediator of the hypoxic response in eukaryotic cells, regulating the expression of a myriad of genes involved in oxygen transport, glucose uptake and glycolysis and angiogenesis. Deregulation of HIF-1 activity occurs in many human cancers, usually at the level of the HIF-1alpha subunit. HIF-1 is regulated by a variety of mechanisms including transcription, translation post-translational modification, protein-protein interaction and degradation. Our understanding of the key signalling pathways that regulate HIF-1 has significantly progressed in recent years and has highlighted the potential for targeting the HIF-1 pathway as a basis for the development of new cancer therapies.

Suppression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) transcriptional activity by the HIF prolyl hydroxylase EGLN1

The cellular response to hypoxia is, at least in part, mediated by the transcriptional regulation of hypoxia-responsive genes involved in balancing the intracellular ATP production and consumption. Recent evidence suggests that the transcription factor, HIF-1alpha, functions as a master regulator of oxygen homeostasis by controlling a broad range of cellular events in hypoxia. In normoxia, HIF-1alpha is targeted for destruction via prolyl hydroxylation, an oxygen-dependent modification that signals for recognition by the ubiquitin ligase complex containing the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor. Three HIF prolyl hydroxylases (EGLN1, EGLN2, and EGLN3) have been identified in mammals, among which EGLN1 and EGLN3 are hypoxia-inducible at their mRNA levels in an HIF-1alpha-dependent manner. In this study, we demonstrated that apart from promoting HIF-1alpha proteolysis in normoxia, EGLN1 specifically represses HIF-1alpha transcriptional activity in hypoxia. Ectopic expression of EGLN1 inhibited HIF-1alpha transcriptional activity without altering its protein levels in a von Hippel-Lindau-deficient cell line, indicating a discrete activity of EGLN1 in transcriptional repression. Conversely, silencing of EGLN1 expression augmented HIF-1alpha transcriptional activity and its target gene expression in hypoxia. Thus, we proposed that the accumulated EGLN1 in hypoxia acts as a negative-feedback mechanism to modulate HIF-1alpha target gene expression. Our finding also provided new insight into the pharmacological manipulation of the HIF prolyl hydroxylase for ischemic diseases.

Review: hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1): a novel transcription factor in immune reactions

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a dimeric transcriptional complex that has been recognized primarily for its role in the maintenance of oxygen and energy homoeostasis. The HIF-1alpha subunit is O(2) labile and is degraded by the proteasome following prolyl-hydroxylation and ubiquitination in normoxic cells. The present review summarizes evidence that HIF-1 is also involved in immune reactions. Immunomodulatory peptides, including interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), stimulate HIF-1 dependent gene expression even in normoxic cells. Both the hypoxic and the cytokine-induced activation of HIF-1 involve the phosphatidylinositol- 3-kinase (PI3K) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In addition, heat shock proteins (HSP) and other cofactors interact with HIF-1 subunits. HIF-1 increases the transcription of several genes for proteins that promote blood flow and inflammation, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), heme oxygenase-1, endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The pharmacologic activation of the HIF-1 complex can be desirable in ischemic and inflammatory disorders. In contrast, HIF-1 blockade may be beneficial to prevent tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth.

Negative regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha by necdin

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a master transcription factor that mediates cellular and systemic homeostatic responses to reduce O2 availability, such as erythropoiesis, angiogenesis, and glycolysis. Using the yeast two-hybrid screening system, we found that the oxygen dependent degradation (ODD) domain of HIF-1alpha interacts with necdin, a growth suppressor. The interaction of necdin with HIF-1alpha was confirmed using coimmunoprecipitation with the overexpressed HIF-1alpha. Biological effect of necdin on HIF-1alpha showed that necdin reduces the transcriptional activity of HIF-1 under hypoxia. Moreover, necdin decreased the level of the HIF-1alpha protein, but not that of mRNA, implying a possibility of necdin-mediated HIF-1alpha degradation. Furthermore, necdin has an anti-angiogenic activity in the tube formation assay and CAM assay, which might be due to the downregulation of HIF-1alpha. Collectively, these results suggest that necdin can be a novel negative regulator of HIF-1alpha stability via the direct interaction.

Hypoxic preconditioning protects against ischemic brain injury

Animals exposed to brief periods of moderate hypoxia (8% to 10% oxygen for 3 hours) are protected against cerebral and cardiac ischemia between 1 and 2 days later. This hypoxia preconditioning requires new RNA and protein synthesis. The mechanism of this hypoxia-induced tolerance correlates with the induction of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), a transcription factor heterodimeric complex composed of inducible HIF-1alpha and constitutive HIF-1beta proteins that bind to the hypoxia response elements in a number of HIF target genes. Our recent studies show that HIF-1alpha correlates with hypoxia induced tolerance in neonatal rat brain. HIF target genes, also induced following hypoxia-induced tolerance, include vascular endothelial growth factor, erythropoietin, glucose transporters, glycolytic enzymes, and many other genes. Some or all of these genes may contribute to hypoxia-induced protection against ischemia. HIF induction of the glycolytic enzymes accounts in part for the Pasteur effect in brain and other tissues. Hypoxia-induced tolerance is not likely to be equivalent to treatment with a single HIF target gene protein since other transcription factors including Egr-1 (NGFI-A) have been implicated in hypoxia regulation of gene expression. Understanding the mechanisms and genes involved in hypoxic tolerance may provide new therapeutic targets to treat ischemic injury and enhance recovery.

Tumor suppressor and growth regulatory genes are overexpressed in severe early-onset preeclampsia--an array study on case-specific human preeclamptic placental tissue

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia is an important clinical condition with unknown etiology. We used DNA array technique to compare placental gene expression profile in severe early-onset preeclampsia from 25 to 27 gestational weeks with strictly non-affected placental samples from similar gestational weeks.

METHOD

DNA arrays were validated by showing the up-regulation of several genes typical for preeclampsia such as chorionic gonadotrophin beta-chain, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. In DNA array, 5% of genes displayed less than or equal to twofold increase in expression level and only 0.2% of genes showed < or =0.5-fold decrease in expression in preeclampsia versus control. Signs of immunological factors, hypoxia, apoptosis, oxidative stress and altered thrombosis, coagulation as well as endothelial injury were seen in the gene expression profile.

RESULTS

As a new finding, we identified a group of 13 genes with a function in tumor suppression and growth regulation which were significantly up-regulated in preeclampsia. Three out of the five most highly up-regulated genes belonged to this group which included genes, such as protein phosphatase 2, phospholipid scramblase 1, transcription elongation factor, melanoma adhesion molecule, retinoic acid receptor responder 3, and RANTES.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that up-regulation of tumor suppressor and growth regulatory genes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of severe early-onset preeclampsia.

Hypoxia-dependent activation of HIF into a transcriptional regulator

Adaptation to conditions of limited oxygen availability (hypoxia) is a critical determinant of cell and tissue viability in several physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is an oxygen-sensitive transcriptional activator that, under hypoxia, upregulates the expression of genes involved in the control of glucose metabolism, angiogenesis and cellular proliferation, among others. Activation of HIF to a fully competent transcriptional regulatory protein complex is a multi-step process that involves control of protein stability, subcellular localization, DNA-binding and interaction with transcriptional coregulators. The identity, regulation and hierarchy of interactions between several components of the HIF signal transduction pathway has been the object of intense study over the past decade and will be the subject of this review. Particular emphasis is given to the process of coordinated coactivator recruitment within the cell nucleus. The implications for future development of angiogenic/antiangiogenic therapeutic strategies of HIF activation/inactivation are discussed.

Identification of novel small molecule inhibitors of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 that differentially block hypoxia-inducible factor-1 activity and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha induction in response to hypoxic stress and growth factors

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a transcriptional complex that is activated in response to hypoxia and growth factors. HIF-1 plays a central role in tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. Overexpression of the HIF-1alpha subunit has been observed in many human cancers and is associated with a poor prognostic outcome with conventional treatments. Targeting HIF-1 using novel small molecule inhibitors is, therefore, an attractive strategy for therapeutic development. We have generated U2OS human osteosarcoma cells stably expressing a luciferase reporter construct under the control of a hypoxia response element (U2OS-HRE-luc). The U2OS-HRE-luc cells were robustly and reproducibly sensitive to hypoxic stress in a HIF-1-dependent manner. We developed an automated U2OS-HRE-luc cell-based assay that was used in a high-throughput screen to identify compounds that inhibited HIF-1 activity induced by treatment with the hypoxia mimetic, deferoxamine mesylate. We performed a pilot screen of the National Cancer Institute Diversity Set of 2,000 compounds. We identified eight hit compounds, six of these were also identified by Rapisarda et al. in an independent hypoxia screen. However, there were two novel hit compounds, NSC-134754 and NSC-643735, that did not significantly inhibit constitutive luciferase activity in U2OS cells (U2OS-luc). We showed that both NSC-134754 and NSC-643735 significantly inhibited HIF-1 activity and HIF-1alpha protein induced by deferoxamine mesylate. Interestingly, NSC-134754 but not NCS-643735 inhibited HIF-1 activity and HIF-1alpha protein induced by hypoxia and significantly inhibited Glut-1 expression. Finally, we showed that both NCS-134754 and NCS-643735 inhibited HIF-1alpha protein induced by insulin-like growth factor-1. Our cell-based assay approach has successfully identified novel compounds that differentially target hypoxia and/or growth factor-mediated induction of HIF-1alpha.

The transcriptional coactivator p300 plays a critical role in the hypertrophic and protective pathways induced by phenylephrine in cardiac cells but is specific to the hypertrophic effect of urocortin

Anacardic acid is an alkylsalicylic acid obtained from cashew-nut-shell liquid, and is a potent inhibitor of p300 histone acetyl-transferase (HAT) activity. We have used anacardic acid to prevent the induction of hypertrophy in isolated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Hypertrophy was detected as an increase in cell size, the rearrangement of sarcomeres into a striated pattern, and the induction of embryonic genes beta-MHC and ANF. p300 inhibition was equally effective at preventing hypertrophy whether it was induced by treatment with the alpha1-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine, or by treatment with urocortin, a member of the corticotrophin-releasing-factor family, which stimulates specific G protein-coupled receptors. Spiruchostatin A is a natural-product inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDAC) similar to the depsipeptide FK228 molecule. We have recently synthesized spiruchostatin A and now show that, although HDACs act in opposition to HATs, spiruchostatin A has the same effect as anacardic acid, that is, it prevents the induction of hypertrophy in response to phenylephrine or urocortin. Pretreatment with either phenylephrine or urocortin reduced the extent of death observed after the exposure of isolated cardiomyocytes to simulated ischaemia and reoxygenation. Inhibition of p300 or HDAC activity eliminated the protection conferred by phenylephrine; however, it did not affect the protection conferred by urocortin. Therefore, it might eventually be possible to use chemical inhibitors such as these in a therapeutic setting to dissociate the protective effect and hypertrophic effect of urocortin, enhancing the survival of cardiomyocytes exposed to transient ischemia, while inhibiting the hypertrophic pathway that would otherwise be induced concurrently.

The antiepidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody cetuximab/C225 reduces hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha, leading to transcriptional inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor expression

We have previously shown that the antiepidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody cetuximab (C225; Erbitux), which was recently approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, has antiangiogenic properties, inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion in culture and in animal models. Here, we have furthered the study by demonstrating that cetuximab reduces cellular levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha), a transcriptional regulator of VEGF expression, in A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells under both normoxic and hypoxic culture conditions. Expression of a constitutively active Ras in A431 cells rendered cellular resistance to the cetuximab-mediated reduction of the HIF-1alpha level. Cell lines with naturally occurring phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 mutations or deletions were also resistant to cetuximab-mediated reduction of the HIF-1alpha level. Pharmacologic inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with LY294002 reduced the HIF-1alpha level in both normoxic and hypoxic A431 cells, whereas inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase by PD98059 reduced the level of HIF-1alpha only in normoxic A431 cells. In addition, cetuximab reduced the cellular level of HIF-1alpha in the presence of a proteasome inhibitor, lactacystin, indicating that cetuximab acts mainly at the level of protein synthesis. The reduction of HIF-1alpha in response to cetuximab treatment was accompanied by transcriptional inhibition of VEGF expression, measured by a luciferase assay in A431 cells transfected with a vector containing the VEGF hypoxia response element. Taken together, our results indicate that the previously demonstrated inhibition of VEGF by cetuximab occurs at the level of transcription in response to a reduced level of HIF-1alpha and justify further testing of therapeutic strategies that combine cetuximab with approaches inhibiting the function of VEGF or the VEGF receptor.

Hypoxia-activated metabolic pathway stimulates phosphorylation of p300 and CBP in oxygen-sensitive cells

Transcription co-activators and histone acetyltransferases, p300 and cyclic AMP responsive element-binding protein-binding protein (CBP), participate in hypoxic activation of hypoxia-inducible genes. Here, we show that exposure of PC12 and cells to 1-10% oxygen results in hyperphosphorylation of p300/CBP. This response is fast, long lasting and specific for hypoxia, but not for hypoxia-mimicking agents such as desferioxamine or Co2+ ions. It is also cell-type specific and occurs in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and the carotid body of rats but not in hepatoblastoma cells. The p300 hyperphosphorylation specifically depends on the release of intracellular calcium from inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3)-sensitive stores. However, it is not inhibited by pharmacological inhibitors of any of the kinases traditionally known to be directly or indirectly calcium regulated. On the other hand, p300 hyperphosphorylation is inhibited by several different inhibitors of the glucose metabolic pathway from generation of NADH by glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, through the transfer of NADH through the glycerol phosphate shuttle to ubiquinone and complex III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Inhibition of IP3-sensitive calcium stores decreases generation of ATP, and this inhibition is significantly stronger in hypoxia than in normoxia. We propose that the NADH glycerol phosphate shuttle participates in generating a pool of ATP that serves either as a co-factor or a modulator of the kinases involved in the phosphorylation of p300/CBP during hypoxia.

Effect of Low Glutamine/Glucose on Hypoxia-Induced Elevation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 in Human Pancreatic Cancer MiaPaCa-2 and Human Prostatic Cancer DU-145 Cells

PURPOSE AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Tumor microenvironment is characterized by regions of fluctuating and chronic hypoxia, low extracellular pH, and nutrient depletion. Although it is well known that hypoxia stimulates the accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), the role of low extracellular pH and nutrient depletion on hypoxia up-regulation of HIF-1alpha is not well known. In this study, human pancreatic cancer MiaPaCa-2 and human prostatic cancer DU-145 cells were exposed to hypoxia in the presence or absence of glucose, glutamine, and/or pyruvate.

RESULTS

We observed that low glucose and low glutamine, but not low pyruvate, effectively suppressed the elevation of HIF-1alpha level during hypoxia (0.1-1% oxygen). Deprivation of glutamine or glucose inhibited the accumulation of HIF-1alpha in the presence of MG-132, a protease inhibitor, regardless of oxygen tensions. Data from reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that the levels of HIF-1alpha mRNA were not significantly changed at different concentrations of glutamine or glucose under hypoxia. The amount of HIF-1alpha suppression was proportional to protein synthesis inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that glutamine or glucose deprivation inhibits the accumulation of HIF-1alpha under hypoxic conditions by disrupting translational processes rather than transcriptional or proteasomal degradation processes.

ERα-AHR-ARNT Protein-Protein Interactions Mediate Estradiol-dependent Transrepression of Dioxin-inducible Gene Transcription

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) form a heterodimeric transcription factor upon binding a wide variety of environmental pollutants, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). AHR target gene activation can be repressed by estrogen and estrogen-like compounds. In this study, we demonstrate that a significant component of TCDD-inducible Cyp1a1 transcription is the result of recruitment of estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha by AHR/ARNT as a transcriptional co-repressor. Both AHR and ARNT were capable of interacting directly with ER alpha, as ascertained by glutathione S-transferase pull-down. 17Beta-estradiol repressed TCDD-activated Cyp1a1 and Cyp1b1 gene transcription in MCF-7 cells in the presence of cycloheximide, as determined by reverse transcription/real-time PCR. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays have shown that ER alpha is present at the Cyp1a1 enhancer only after co-treatment with E2 and TCDD, in MCF-7 cells. Sequential two-step ChIP assays were performed which demonstrate that AHR and ER alpha are present together at the same time on the Cyp1a1 enhancer during transrepression. Taken together these data support a role for ER-mediated transrepression of AHR-dependent gene regulation.

HIF-1alpha, STAT3, CBP/p300 and Ref-1/APE are components of a transcriptional complex that regulates Src-dependent hypoxia-induced expression of VEGF in pancreatic and prostate carcinomas

Hypoxia stimulates a number of pathways critical to cancer cell survival, including the activation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) transcription. In normal fibroblasts, hypoxia-induced activation of the protein tyrosine kinase, Src, is required for VEGF expression. We show here in both pancreatic and prostate carcinoma cell lines cobalt chloride (used to mimic hypoxia) -induced VEGF expression requires Src activation and leads to increased steady-state levels of HIF-1alpha and increased phosphorylation of signal and transducer of transcription 3 (STAT3). STAT3 and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha bind simultaneously to the VEGF promoter, where they form a molecular complex with the transcription coactivators CBP/p300 and Ref-1/APE. Expression of activated Src from an inducible promoter is sufficient to increase VEGF expression and form these STAT3/HIF-1alpha-containing promoter complexes. Inhibition of DNA binding by expression of either STAT3 or HIF-1alpha dominant negative mutants significantly reduces VEGF expression. These data suggest that the binding of both STAT3 and HIF-1alpha to the VEGF promoter is required for maximum transcription of VEGF mRNA following hypoxia.

STAT3 is a potential modulator of HIF-1-mediated VEGF expression in human renal carcinoma cells

Aberrantly enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression is associated with increased tumor growth and metastatic spread of solid malignancies, including human renal carcinomas. Persistent activation of STAT3 is linked to tumor-associated angiogenesis, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we examined whether STAT3 modulates the stability and activity of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), and in turn enhances VEGF expression. We found that STAT3 was activated in ischemic rat kidneys and hypoxic human renal carcinoma cells. We also found that hypoxia-induced activation of STAT3 transactivated the VEGF promoter and increased the expression of VEGF transcripts. Consistent with these findings, STAT3 inhibition attenuated the hypoxic induction of VEGF. Interestingly, activated STAT3 increased HIF-1alpha protein levels due to the HIF-1alpha stability by blocking HIF-1alpha degradation and accelerated its de novo synthesis. The novel interaction of STAT3 with HIF-1alpha was identified in hypoxic renal carcinoma cells. Furthermore, hypoxia recruited STAT3, HIF-1alpha, and p300 to the VEGF promoter and induced histone H3 acetylation. Therefore, these findings provide compelling evidence that a causal relationship exists between STAT3 activation and HIF-1-dependent angiogenesis and suggest that therapeutic modalities designed to disrupt STAT3 signaling hold considerable promise for the blocking tumor growth and enhancing apoptosis of cancer cells and tissues.

Curcumin-induced histone hypoacetylation: The role of reactive oxygen species

Curcumin (Cur), a well-known dietary pigment derived from Curcuma longa, is a promising anticancer drug, but its in vivo target molecules remain to be clarified. Here we report that exposure of human hepatoma cells to Cur led to a significant decrease of histone acetylation. Histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) are the enzymes controlling the state of histone acetylation in vivo. Cur treatment resulted in a comparable inhibition of histone acetylation in the absence or presence of trichostatin A (the specific HDAC inhibitor), and showed no effect on the in vitro activity of HDAC. In contrast, the domain negative of p300 (a most potent HAT protein) could block the inhibition of Cur on histone acetylation; and the Cur treatment significantly inhibited the HAT activity both in vivo and in vitro. Thus, it is HAT, but not HDAC that is involved in Cur-induced histone hypoacetylation. At the same time, exposure of cells to low or high concentrations of Cur diminished or enhanced the ROS generation, respectively. And the promotion of ROS was obviously involved in Cur-induced histone hypoacetylation, since Cur-caused histone acetylation and HAT activity decrease could be markedly diminished by the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) or their combination, but not by their heat-inactivated forms. The data presented here prove that HAT is one of the in vivo target molecules of Cur; through inhibiting its activity, Cur induces histone hypoacetylation in vivo, where the ROS generation plays an important role. Considering the critical roles of histone acetylation in eukaryotic gene transcription and the involvement of histone hypoacetylation in the lose of cell viability caused by high concentrations of Cur, these results open a new door for us to further understand the molecular mechanism involved in the in vivo function of Cur.

Down-regulation of the expression of the FIH-1 and ARD-1 genes at the transcriptional level by nickel and cobalt in the human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line

Although nickel and cobalt compounds have been known to cause induction of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and activation of a battery of hypoxia-inducible genes in the cell, the molecular mechanisms of this induction remain unclear. The post-translational modification of HIF-1a, the oxygen-sensitive subunit of HIF-1, regulates stabilization, nuclear translocation, DNA binding activity, and transcriptional activity of the protein. Among the enzymes regulating the post-translational modification of HIF-la, the factor inhibiting HIF-1 (FIH-1) hydroxylates the protein at asparagine 803, suppressing the interaction of HIF-1a with transcription coactivators p300/CBP and reducing the transcriptional activity of the protein. ARD-1, the acetyltransferase, acetylates HIF-1a at lysine 532, which enhances the interaction of HIF-1a with pVHL. Therefore, FIH-1 and ARD-1 negatively regulate the transcriptional activity and the stability of HIF-1a. We examined the mRNA levels of FIH-l and ARD-1 genes after exposure nickel (II) or cobalt (II) to the cell and found that both genes were down-regulated by the chemical treatment, which may lead to reduced levels of both proteins and result in increased level of HIF-1 a and its transcriptional activity.

Intrinsically unstructured proteins and their functions

Many gene sequences in eukaryotic genomes encode entire proteins or large segments of proteins that lack a well-structured three-dimensional fold. Disordered regions can be highly conserved between species in both composition and sequence and, contrary to the traditional view that protein function equates with a stable three-dimensional structure, disordered regions are often functional, in ways that we are only beginning to discover. Many disordered segments fold on binding to their biological targets (coupled folding and binding), whereas others constitute flexible linkers that have a role in the assembly of macromolecular arrays.