Sp1 as G1 cell cycle phase specific transcription factor in epithelial cells

Sp1 Upregulation Bolsters the Radioresistance of Glioblastoma Cells by Promoting Double Strand Breaks Repair

Radioresistance remains a critical obstacle in the clinical management of glioblastoma (GBM) by radiotherapy. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying radioresistance to improve patient response to radiotherapy and increase the treatment efficacy. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of specificity protein 1 (Sp1) in the radioresistance of GBM cells. Different human GBM cell lines and tumor-bearing mice were exposed to ionizing radiation (IR). Cell survival was determined by the colony formation assay. The expression of genes and proteins in the cells and tissues was analyzed by RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. The γ-H2AX, p-Sp1 and dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs phospho S2056) foci were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Apoptotic rates were measured by flow cytometry. Sp1 was upregulated after IR in vitro and in vivo and knocking down Sp1-sensitized GBM cells to IR. Sp1 activated the DNA-PKcs promoter and increased its expression and activity. Furthermore, the loss of Sp1 delayed double-strand breaks (DSB) repair and increased IR-induced apoptosis of GBM cells. Taken together, IR upregulates Sp1 expression in GBM cells, enhancing the activity of DNA-PKcs and promoting IR-induced DSB repair, thereby leading to increased radioresistance.

SMYD5 is a novel epigenetic gatekeeper of the mild hypothermia response

Organisms have homeostatic mechanisms to respond to cold temperature to ensure survival including the activation of the mammalian neuroprotective mild hypothermia response (MHR) at 32°C. We show activation of the MHR at euthermia by an FDA-approved medication Entacapone, proof-of-principle that the MHR can be medically manipulated. Utilizing a forward CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis screen, we identify the histone lysine methyltransferase SMYD5 as an epigenetic gatekeeper of the MHR. SMYD5 represses the key MHR gene SP1 at euthermia but not at 32°C. This repression is mirrored by temperature-dependent levels of H3K36me3 at the SP1-locus and globally indicating that the mammalian MHR is regulated at the level of histone modifications. We identified 45 additional SMYD5-temperature dependent genes suggesting a broader MHR-related role for SMYD5. Our study provides an example of how the epigenetic machinery integrates environmental cues into the genetic circuitry of mammalian cells and suggests novel therapeutic avenues for neuroprotection after catastrophic events.

The Functional Role and Regulatory Mechanism of FTO m6A RNA Demethylase in Human Uterine Leiomyosarcoma

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is the most frequent subtype of uterine sarcoma that presents a poor prognosis and high rates of recurrence and metastasis. The origin and molecular mechanism underlying and driving its clinical and biological behavior remain largely unknown. Recently, we and others have revealed the role of microRNAs, DNA methylation, and histone modifications in contributing to the pathogenesis of uLMS. However, the connection between reversible m6A RNA methylation and uLMS pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we assessed the role and mechanism of FTO m6A RNA demethylase in the pathogenesis of uLMS. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that the levels of RNA demethylases FTO and ALKBH5 were aberrantly upregulated in uLMS tissues compared to adjacent myometrium with a significant change by histochemical scoring assessment (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the inhibition of FTO demethylase with its small, potent inhibitor (Dac51) significantly decreased the uLMS proliferation dose-dependently via cell cycle arrest. Notably, RNA-seq analysis revealed that the inhibition of FTO with Dac51 exhibited a significant decrease in cell-cycle-related genes, including several CDK members, and a significant increase in the expression of CDKN1A, which correlated with a Dac51-exerted inhibitory effect on cell proliferation. Moreover, Dac51 treatment allowed the rewiring of several critical pathways, including TNFα signaling, KRAS signaling, inflammation response, G2M checkpoint, and C-Myc signaling, among others, leading to the suppression of the uLMS phenotype. Moreover, transcription factor (TF) analyses suggested that epitranscriptional alterations by Dac51 may alter the cell cycle-related gene expression via TF-driven pathways and epigenetic networks in uLMS cells. This intersection of RNA methylation and other epigenetic controls and pathways provides a framework to better understand uterine diseases, particularly uLMS pathogenesis with a dysregulation of RNA methylation machinery. Therefore, targeting the vulnerable epitranscriptome may provide an additional regulatory layer for a promising and novel strategy for treating patients with this aggressive uterine cancer.

Down-syndrome-induced senescence disrupts the nuclear architecture of neural progenitors

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder driven by the triplication of chromosome 21 (T21) and characterized by a wide range of neurodevelopmental and physical disabilities. Transcriptomic analysis of tissue samples from individuals with DS has revealed that T21 induces a genome-wide transcriptional disruption. However, the consequences of T21 on the nuclear architecture and its interplay with the transcriptome remain unknown. In this study, we find that unlike human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) exhibit genome-wide "chromosomal introversion," disruption of lamina-associated domains, and global chromatin accessibility changes in response to T21, consistent with the transcriptional and nuclear architecture changes characteristic of senescent cells. Treatment of T21-harboring NPCs with senolytic drugs alleviates the transcriptional, molecular, and cellular dysfunctions associated with DS. Our findings provide a mechanistic link between T21 and global transcriptional disruption and indicate that senescence-associated phenotypes may play a key role in the neurodevelopmental pathogenesis of DS.

Thyroid hormone receptor alpha sumoylation modulates white adipose tissue stores

Thyroid hormone (TH) and thyroid hormone receptor (THR) regulate stem cell proliferation and differentiation during development, as well as during tissue renewal and repair in the adult. THR undergoes posttranslational modification by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO). We generated the THRA (K283Q/K288R)^−/− mouse model for in vivo studies and used human primary preadipocytes expressing the THRA sumoylation mutant (K283R/K288R) and isolated preadipocytes from mutant mice for in vitro studies. THRA mutant mice had reduced white adipose stores and reduced adipocyte cell diameter on a chow diet, compared to wild-type, and these differences were further enhanced after a high fat diet. Reduced preadipocyte proliferation in mutant mice, compared to wt, was shown after in vivo labeling of preadipocytes with EdU and in preadipocytes isolated from mice fat stores and studied in vitro. Mice with the desumoylated THRA had disruptions in cell cycle G₁/S transition and this was associated with a reduction in the availability of cyclin D2 and cyclin-dependent kinase 2. The genes coding for cyclin D1, cyclin D2, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and Culin3 are stimulated by cAMP Response Element Binding Protein (CREB) and contain CREB Response Elements (CREs) in their regulatory regions. We demonstrate, by Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, that in mice with the THRA K283Q/K288R mutant there was reduced CREB binding to the CRE. Mice with a THRA sumoylation mutant had reduced fat stores on chow and high fat diets and reduced adipocyte diameter.

Antitumorigenic effect of insect-derived peptide poecilocorisin-1 in human skin cancer cells through regulation of Sp1 transcription factor

Malignant melanoma is highly resistant to conventional treatments and is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancers. Conventional cancer treatments are limited due to drug resistance, tumor selectivity, and solubility. Therefore, new treatments with fewer side effects and excellent effects should be developed. In previous studies, we have analyzed antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which showed antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects in insects, and some AMPs also exhibited anticancer efficacy. Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are known to have fewer side effects and high anticancer efficacy. In this study, the insect-derived peptide poecilocorisin-1 (PCC-1) did not induce toxicity in the human epithelial cell line HaCaT, but its potential as an anticancer agent was confirmed through specific effects of antiproliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in two melanoma cell lines, SK-MEL-28 and G361. Additionally, we discovered a novel anticancer mechanism of insect-derived peptides in melanoma through the regulation of transcription factor Sp1 protein, which is overexpressed in cancer, apoptosis, and cell cycle-related proteins. Taken together, this study aims to clarify the anticancer efficacy and safety of insect-derived peptides and to present their potential as future therapeutic agents.

A pan-cancer analysis of CpG Island gene regulation reveals extensive plasticity within Polycomb target genes

CpG Island promoter genes make up more than half of human genes, and a subset regulated by Polycomb-Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2+-CGI) become DNA hypermethylated and silenced in cancer. Here, we perform a systematic analysis of CGI genes across TCGA cancer types, finding that PRC2+-CGI genes are frequently prone to transcriptional upregulation as well. These upregulated PRC2+-CGI genes control important pathways such as Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and TNFα-associated inflammatory response, and have greater cancer-type specificity than other CGI genes. Using publicly available chromatin datasets and genetic perturbations, we show that transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) within distal enhancers underlie transcriptional activation of PRC2+-CGI genes, coinciding with loss of the PRC2-associated mark H3K27me3 at the linked promoter. In contrast, PRC2-free CGI genes are predominantly regulated by promoter TFBSs which are common to most cancer types. Surprisingly, a large subset of PRC2+-CGI genes that are upregulated in one cancer type are also hypermethylated/silenced in at least one other cancer type, underscoring the high degree of regulatory plasticity of these genes, likely derived from their complex regulatory control during normal development.

Mithramycin and Analogs for Overcoming Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a highly deadly malignancy in which recurrence is considered incurable. Resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy bodes a particularly abysmal prognosis, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic agents and strategies. The use of mithramycin, an antineoplastic antibiotic, has been previously limited by its narrow therapeutic window. Recent advances in semisynthetic methods have led to mithramycin analogs with improved pharmacological profiles. Mithramycin inhibits the activity of the transcription factor Sp1, which is closely linked with ovarian tumorigenesis and platinum-resistance. This article summarizes recent clinical developments related to mithramycin and postulates a role for the use of mithramycin, or its analog, in the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Embryonic tissue differentiation is characterized by transitions in cell cycle dynamic-associated core promoter regulation

The core-promoter, a stretch of DNA surrounding the transcription start site (TSS), is a major integration-point for regulatory-signals controlling gene-transcription. Cellular differentiation is marked by divergence in transcriptional repertoire and cell-cycling behaviour between cells of different fates. The role promoter-associated gene-regulatory-networks play in development-associated transitions in cell-cycle-dynamics is poorly understood. This study demonstrates in a vertebrate embryo, how core-promoter variations define transcriptional output in cells transitioning from a proliferative to cell-lineage specifying phenotype. Assessment of cell proliferation across zebrafish embryo segmentation, using the FUCCI transgenic cell-cycle-phase marker, revealed a spatial and lineage-specific separation in cell-cycling behaviour. To investigate the role differential promoter usage plays in this process, cap-analysis-of-gene-expression (CAGE) was performed on cells segregated by cycling dynamics. This analysis revealed a dramatic increase in tissue-specific gene expression, concurrent with slowed cycling behaviour. We revealed a distinct sharpening in TSS utilization in genes upregulated in slowly cycling, differentiating tissues, associated with enhanced utilization of the TATA-box, in addition to Sp1 binding-sites. In contrast, genes upregulated in rapidly cycling cells carry broad distribution of TSS utilization, coupled with enrichment for the CCAAT-box. These promoter features appear to correspond to cell-cycle-dynamic rather than tissue/cell-lineage origin. Moreover, we observed genes with cell-cycle-dynamic-associated transitioning in TSS distribution and differential utilization of alternative promoters. These results demonstrate the regulatory role of core-promoters in cell-cycle-dependent transcription regulation, during embryo-development.

Tumour kinome re-wiring governs resistance to palbociclib in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancers, highlighting new therapeutic modalities

Combination of CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapy improves clinical outcome in advanced oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, however relapse is inevitable. Here, we show in model systems that other than loss of RB1 few gene-copy number (CN) alterations are associated with irreversible-resistance to endocrine therapy and subsequent secondary resistance to palbociclib. Resistance to palbociclib occurred as a result of tumour cell re-wiring leading to increased expression of EGFR, MAPK, CDK4, CDK2, CDK7, CCNE1 and CCNE2. Resistance altered the ER genome wide-binding pattern, leading to decreased expression of ‘classical’ oestrogen-regulated genes and was accompanied by reduced sensitivity to fulvestrant and tamoxifen. Persistent CDK4 blockade decreased phosphorylation of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) enhancing EGFR signalling, leading to the re-wiring of ER. Kinome-knockdown confirmed dependency on ERBB-signalling and G2/M–checkpoint proteins such as WEE1, together with the cell cycle master regulator, CDK7. Noteworthy, sensitivity to CDK7 inhibition was associated with loss of ER and RB1 CN. Overall, we show that resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors is dependent on kinase re-wiring and the redeployment of signalling cascades previously associated with endocrine resistance and highlights new therapeutic networks that can be exploited upon relapse after CDK4/6 inhibition.

Understanding the Role of the Transcription Factor Sp1 in Ovarian Cancer: from Theory to Practice

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the deadliest cancers among women contributing to high risk of mortality, mainly owing to delayed detection. There is no specific biomarker for its detection in early stages. However, recent findings show that over-expression of specificity protein 1 (Sp1) is involved in many OC cases. The ubiquitous transcription of Sp1 apparently mediates the maintenance of normal and cancerous biological processes such as cell growth, differentiation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cellular reprogramming and tumorigenesis. Sp1 exerts its effects on cellular genes containing putative GC-rich Sp1-binding site in their promoters. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying Sp1 transcription factor (TF) regulation and functions in OC tumorigenesis could help identify novel prognostic markers, to target cancer stem cells (CSCs) by following cellular reprogramming and enable the development of novel therapies for future generations. In this review, we address the structure, function, and biology of Sp1 in normal and cancer cells, underpinning the involvement of Sp1 in OC tumorigenesis. In addition, we have highlighted the influence of Sp1 TF in cellular reprogramming of iPSCs and how it plays a role in controlling CSCs. This review highlights the drugs targeting Sp1 and their action on cancer cells. In conclusion, we predict that research in this direction will be highly beneficial for OC treatment, and chemotherapeutic drugs targeting Sp1 will emerge as a promising therapy for OC.

MKK7 transcription positively or negatively regulated by SP1 and KLF5 depends on HDAC4 activity in glioma

JNK activity has been implicated in the malignant proliferation, invasion and drug-resistance of glioma cells (GCs), but the molecular mechanisms underlying JNK activation are currently unknown. Here, we reported that MKK7, not MKK4, directly activates JNK in GCs and exerts oncogenic effects on tumor formation. Notably, MKK7 expression in glioma tissues was closely correlated with the grade of the glioma and JNK/c-Jun activation. Mechanistically, MKK7 transcription critically depends on the complexes formed by HDAC4 and the transcriptional factors SP1 and Krüppel-like factor-5 (KLF5), wherein HDAC4 directly deacetylates both SP1 and KLF5 and synergistically upregulates MKK7 transcription through two SP1 sites located on its promoter. In contrast, the increases in acetylated-SP1 and acetylated-KLF5 after HDAC4 inhibition switched to transcriptionally suppress MKK7. Selective inhibition of HDAC4 by LMK235, siRNAs or blockage of SP1 and KLF5 by the ectopic dominant-negative SP1 greatly reduced the malignant capacity of GCs. Furthermore, suppression of both MKK7 expression and JNK/c-Jun activities was involved in the tumor-growth inhibitory effects induced by LMK235 in U87-xenograft mice. Interestingly, HDAC4 is highly expressed in glioma tissues, and the rate of HDAC4 nuclear import is closely correlated with glioma grade, as well as with MKK7 expression. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that highly expressed MKK7 contributes to JNK/c-Jun signaling-mediated glioma formation. MKK7 transcription, regulated by SP1 and KLF5, critically depends on HDAC4 activity, and inhibition of HDAC4 presents a potential strategy for suppressing the oncogenic roles of MKK7/JNK/c-Jun signaling in GCs.

iDEP: an integrated web application for differential expression and pathway analysis of RNA-Seq data

BACKGROUND

RNA-seq is widely used for transcriptomic profiling, but the bioinformatics analysis of resultant data can be time-consuming and challenging, especially for biologists. We aim to streamline the bioinformatic analyses of gene-level data by developing a user-friendly, interactive web application for exploratory data analysis, differential expression, and pathway analysis.

RESULTS

iDEP (integrated Differential Expression and Pathway analysis) seamlessly connects 63 R/Bioconductor packages, 2 web services, and comprehensive annotation and pathway databases for 220 plant and animal species. The workflow can be reproduced by downloading customized R code and related pathway files. As an example, we analyzed an RNA-Seq dataset of lung fibroblasts with Hoxa1 knockdown and revealed the possible roles of SP1 and E2F1 and their target genes, including microRNAs, in blocking G1/S transition. In another example, our analysis shows that in mouse B cells without functional p53, ionizing radiation activates the MYC pathway and its downstream genes involved in cell proliferation, ribosome biogenesis, and non-coding RNA metabolism. In wildtype B cells, radiation induces p53-mediated apoptosis and DNA repair while suppressing the target genes of MYC and E2F1, and leads to growth and cell cycle arrest. iDEP helps unveil the multifaceted functions of p53 and the possible involvement of several microRNAs such as miR-92a, miR-504, and miR-30a. In both examples, we validated known molecular pathways and generated novel, testable hypotheses.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining comprehensive analytic functionalities with massive annotation databases, iDEP ( http://ge-lab.org/idep/ ) enables biologists to easily translate transcriptomic and proteomic data into actionable insights.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: The Importance of Promoter Polymorphism Investigation

Recently, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was a key molecule in investigation of lung cancer, and it was a target for a new therapeutic strategy, based on molecular analyses. In this review, we have summarized some issues considering the role of EGFR in lung cancer, its coding gene, and its promoter gene polymorphisms (SNPs) -216G/T and -191C/A in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The position of the SNPs indicates their significant role in EGFR regulation. The accumulation of knowledge regarding SNPs lately suggests their significant and important role in the onset of carcinogenesis, the prediction of the onset of metastases, the response to therapy with TKI inhibitors, and the onset of toxic effects of the applied therapy. Based on this, we suggest further studies of the relationship of clinical significance to SNPs in patients with lung tumors.

Molecular targets and signaling pathways regulated by nuclear translocation of syndecan-1

Background

The cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan syndecan-1 is important for tumor cell proliferation, migration, and cell cycle regulation in a broad spectrum of malignancies. Syndecan-1, however, also translocates to the cell nucleus, where it might regulate various molecular functions.

Results

We used a fibrosarcoma model to dissect the functions of syndecan-1 related to the nucleus and separate them from functions related to the cell-surface. Nuclear translocation of syndecan-1 hampered the proliferation of fibrosarcoma cells compared to the mutant lacking nuclear localization signal. The growth inhibitory effect of nuclear syndecan-1 was accompanied by significant accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase, which indicated a possible G1/S phase arrest.

We implemented multiple, unsupervised global transcriptome and proteome profiling approaches and combined them with functional assays to disclose the molecular mechanisms that governed nuclear translocation and its related functions. We identified genes and pathways related to the nuclear compartment with network enrichment analysis of the transcriptome and proteome. The TGF-β pathway was activated by nuclear syndecan-1, and three genes were significantly altered with the deletion of nuclear localization signal: EGR-1 (early growth response 1), NEK11 (never-in-mitosis gene a-related kinase 11), and DOCK8 (dedicator of cytokinesis 8). These candidate genes were coupled to growth and cell-cycle regulation. Nuclear translocation of syndecan-1 influenced the activity of several other transcription factors, including E2F, NFκβ, and OCT-1. The transcripts and proteins affected by syndecan-1 showed a striking overlap in their corresponding biological processes. These processes were dominated by protein phosphorylation and post-translation modifications, indicative of alterations in intracellular signaling. In addition, we identified molecules involved in the known functions of syndecan-1, including extracellular matrix organization and transmembrane transport.

Conclusion

Collectively, abrogation of nuclear translocation of syndecan-1 resulted in a set of changes clustering in distinct patterns, which highlighted the functional importance of nuclear syndecan-1 in hampering cell proliferation and the cell cycle. This study emphasizes the importance of the localization of syndecan-1 when considering its effects on tumor cell fate.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12860-017-0150-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Tannic acid inhibits EGFR/STAT1/3 and enhances p38/STAT1 signalling axis in breast cancer cells

Tannic acid (TA), a naturally occurring polyphenol, is a potent anti-oxidant with anti-proliferative effects on multiple cancers. However, its ability to modulate gene-specific expression of tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes has not been assessed. This work investigates the mechanism of TA to regulate canonical and non-canonical STAT pathways to impose the gene-specific induction of G1-arrest and apoptosis. Regardless of the p53 status and membrane receptors, TA induced G1-arrest and apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Tannic acid distinctly modulated both canonical and non-canonical STAT pathways, each with a specific role in TA-induced anti-cancer effects. Tannic acid enhanced STAT1 ser727 phosphorylation via upstream serine kinase p38. This STAT1 ser727 phosphorylation enhanced the DNA-binding activity of STAT1 and in turn enhanced expression of p21^Waf1/Cip1 . However, TA binds to EGF-R and inhibits the tyrosine phosphorylation of both STAT1 and STAT3. This inhibition leads to the inhibition of STAT3/BCL-2 DNA-binding activity. As a result, the expression and mitochondrial localization of BCl-2 are declined. This altered expression and localization of mitochondrial anti-pore factors resulted in the release of cytochrome c and the activation of intrinsic apoptosis cascade involving caspases. Taken together, our results suggest that TA modulates EGF-R/Jak2/STAT1/3 and P38/STAT1/p21^Waf1/Cip1 pathways and induce G1-arrest and intrinsic apoptosis in breast carcinomas.

Correlations between EGFR gene polymorphisms and pleural metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma

Proliferation, growth, and differentiation of cells are strictly controlled by the signal system of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). If any link of the EGFR signals system is interfered with or damaged, the proliferation, growth, and differentiation of cells would become uncontrolled. EGFR is overexpressed in a variety of malignant tumors, such as non-small-cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer. Results of the study have proved that EGFR overexpression is closely associated with mutations and variants of the EGFR genes, whose mutations and variants are associated with occurrence, metastasis, and prognosis of different types of tumors, including lung cancer. This study is aimed at investigating whether the polymorphisms of CA simple sequence repeat in intron 1 (CA-SSR1), -216G/T, and R497K in the EGFR are able to induce EGFR activation and whether overexpression is associated with pleural metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma. A total of 432 lung adenocarcinoma patients with pleural metastasis (metastasis group) and 424 patients with lung adenocarcinoma but without pleural metastasis (nonmetastasis group) were enrolled in this study. For all patients, the CA-SSR1 genotypes were determined by capillary electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction amplification, and direct DNA sequencing, and the R497K and -216G/T genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct DNA sequencing. EGFR expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining in primary tumor tissues with different -216G/T, R497K, and CA-SSR1 genotypes. Our results showed significant differences between pleural metastasis and nonmetastasis groups in the genotype and allele distribution of -216G/T, R497K, and CA-SSR1 polymorphisms of the EGFR gene. The -216T allele, Arg allele, and shorter CA-SSR1 (<17) had significantly increased risks of pleural metastasis compared with the -216G allele, Lys allele, and longer CA-SSR1 (≥17), respectively. The expression of EGFR was higher in patients with genotypes of -216T/T or -216G/T, Arg/Arg or Arg/Lys, and shorter CA-SSR1 (<17) than that in patients with genotypes of -216G/G, Lys/Lys, and longer CA-SSR1 (≥17), respectively. These results indicate that -216G/T, R497K, and CA-SSR1 polymorphisms are associated with the risk of pleural metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma, which may be related to the overexpression of EGFR protein induced by -216G/T, R497K, and CA-SSR1 polymorphisms.

Stimulation of ribosomal RNA gene promoter by transcription factor Sp1 involves active DNA demethylation by Gadd45-NER pathway

The well-studied Pol II transcription factor Sp1 has not been investigated for its regulatory role in rDNA transcription. Here, we show that Sp1 bound to specific sites on rDNA and localized into the nucleoli during the G1 phase of cell cycle to activate rDNA transcription. It facilitated the recruitment of Pol I pre-initiation complex and impeded the binding of nucleolar remodeling complex (NoRC) to rDNA resulting in the formation of euchromatin active state. More importantly, Sp1 also orchestrated the site-specific binding of Gadd45a-nucleotide excision repair (NER) complex resulting in active demethylation and transcriptional activation of rDNA. Interestingly, knockdown of Sp1 impaired rDNA transcription due to reduced engagement of the Gadd45a-NER complex and hypermethylation of rDNA. Thus, the present study unveils a novel role of Sp1 in rDNA transcription involving promoter demethylation.

Robust Classification of Small-Molecule Mechanism of Action Using a Minimalist High-Content Microscopy Screen and Multidimensional Phenotypic Trajectory Analysis

Phenotypic screening through high-content automated microscopy is a powerful tool for evaluating the mechanism of action of candidate therapeutics. Despite more than a decade of development, however, high content assays have yielded mixed results, identifying robust phenotypes in only a small subset of compound classes. This has led to a combinatorial explosion of assay techniques, analyzing cellular phenotypes across dozens of assays with hundreds of measurements. Here, using a minimalist three-stain assay and only 23 basic cellular measurements, we developed an analytical approach that leverages informative dimensions extracted by linear discriminant analysis to evaluate similarity between the phenotypic trajectories of different compounds in response to a range of doses. This method enabled us to visualize biologically-interpretable phenotypic tracks populated by compounds of similar mechanism of action, cluster compounds according to phenotypic similarity, and classify novel compounds by comparing them to phenotypically active exemplars. Hierarchical clustering applied to 154 compounds from over a dozen different mechanistic classes demonstrated tight agreement with published compound mechanism classification. Using 11 phenotypically active mechanism classes, classification was performed on all 154 compounds: 78% were correctly identified as belonging to one of the 11 exemplar classes or to a different unspecified class, with accuracy increasing to 89% when less phenotypically active compounds were excluded. Importantly, several apparent clustering and classification failures, including rigosertib and 5-fluoro-2’-deoxycytidine, instead revealed more complex mechanisms or off-target effects verified by more recent publications. These results show that a simple, easily replicated, minimalist high-content assay can reveal subtle variations in the cellular phenotype induced by compounds and can correctly predict mechanism of action, as long as the appropriate analytical tools are used.

E-Ras improves the efficiency of reprogramming by facilitating cell cycle progression through JNK-Sp1 pathway

We have previously shown that pluripotent stem cells can be induced from adult somatic cells which were exposed to protein extracts isolated from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC). Interestingly, generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells depended on the background of ES cell lines; possible by extracts from C57, but not from E14. Proteomic analysis of two different mES cell lines (C57 and E14) shows that embryonic Ras (E-Ras) is expressed differently in two mES cell lines; high level of E-Ras only in C57 mESC whose extracts allows iPS cells production from somatic cells. Here, we show that E-Ras augments the efficiency in reprogramming of fibroblast by promoting cell proliferation. We found that over-expression of E-Ras in fibroblast increased cell proliferation which was caused by specific up-regulation of cyclins D and E, not A or B, leading to the accelerated G1 to S phase transition. To figure out the common transcription factor of cyclins D and E, we used TRANSFAC database and selected SP1 as a candidate which was confirmed as enhancer of cyclins D and E by luciferase promoter assay using mutants. As downstream signaling pathways, E-Ras activated only c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) but not ERK or p38. Inhibition of JNK prevented E-Ras-mediated induction of pSP1, cyclins D, E, and cell proliferation. Finally, E-Ras transduction to fibroblast enhanced the efficiency of iPS cell generation by 4 factors (Oct4/Klf4/Sox2/C-myc), which was prevented by JNK inhibitor. In conclusion, E-Ras stimulates JNK, enhances binding of Sp1 on the promoter of cyclins D and E, leading to cell proliferation. E-Ras/JNK axis is a critical mechanism to generate iPS cells by transduction of 4 factors or by treatment of mESC protein extracts.

Oncogenic STRAP functions as a novel negative regulator of E-cadherin and p21(Cip1) by modulating the transcription factor Sp1

We have previously reported the identification of a novel WD-domain protein, STRAP that plays a role in maintenance of mesenchymal morphology by regulating E-cadherin and that enhances tumorigenicity partly by downregulating CDK inhibitor p21(Cip1). However, the functional mechanism of regulation of E-cadherin and p21(Cip1) by STRAP is unknown. Here, we have employed STRAP knock out and knockdown cell models (mouse embryonic fibroblast, human cancer cell lines) to show how STRAP downregulates E-cadherin and p21(Cip1) by abrogating the binding of Sp1 to its consensus binding sites. Moreover, ChIP assays suggest that STRAP recruits HDAC1 to Sp1 binding sites in p21(Cip1) promoter. Interestingly, loss of STRAP can stabilize Sp1 by repressing its ubiquitination in G1 phase, resulting in an enhanced expression of p21(Cip1) by >4.5-fold and cell cycle arrest. Using Bioinformatics and Microarray analyses, we have observed that 87% mouse genes downregulated by STRAP have conserved Sp1 binding sites. In NSCLC, the expression levels of STRAP inversely correlated with that of Sp1 (60%). These results suggest a novel mechanism of regulation of E-cadherin and p21(Cip1) by STRAP by modulating Sp1-dependent transcription, and higher expression of STRAP in lung cancer may contribute to downregulation of E-cadherin and p21(Cip1) and to tumor progression.

miR-375 inhibits cell growth and correlates with clinical outcomes in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

miR-375 has been implicated in various types of cancers. However, its role in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of miR-375 on cell growth and the prognosis of TSCC patients. Using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we evaluated miR-375 expression in TSCC samples and TSCC cell lines. The results showed that miR-375 expression was significantly reduced in the TSCC tissues and cell lines. A low level expression of miR-375 in TSCC patients was related to poor of prognosis. Moreover, the effects of miR-375 overexpression on cell proliferation, the cell cycle and the expression of Sp1 and cyclin D1 were examined in TSCC cells. We demonstrated that overexpression of miR-375 significantly inhibited the cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in TSCC cell lines. Overexpression of miR-375 inhibited Sp1 expression by targeting the 3' untranslated region of the Sp1 transcript. The knockdown of Sp1 expression resulted in the subsequent downregulation of cyclin D1. Taken together, our study suggests that miR-375 inhibits the cell growth, and its expression is correlated with clinical outcomes in TSCC.

Contribution of Sp1 to Telomerase Expression and Activity in Skin Keratinocytes Cultured With a Feeder Layer

The growth of primary keratinocytes is improved by culturing them with a feeder layer. The aim of this study was to assess whether the feeder layer increases the lifespan of cultured epithelial cells by maintaining or improving telomerase activity and expression. The addition of an irradiated fibroblast feeder layer of either human or mouse origin (i3T3) helped maintain telomerase activity as well as expression of the transcription factor Sp1 in cultured keratinocytes. In contrast, senescence occurred earlier, together with a reduction of Sp1 expression and telomerase activity, in keratinocytes cultured without a feeder layer. Telomerase activity was consistently higher in keratinocytes grown on the three different feeder layers tested relative to cells grown without them. Suppression of Sp1 expression by RNA inhibition (RNAi) reduced both telomerase expression and activity in keratinocytes and also abolished their long-term growth capacity suggesting that Sp1 is a key regulator of both telomerase gene expression and cell cycle progression of primary cultured human skin keratinocytes. The results of the present study therefore suggest that the beneficial influence of the feeder layer relies on its ability to preserve telomerase activity in cultured human keratinocytes through the maintenance of stable levels of Sp1 expression.

Hypoxia-induced glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase overexpression and -activation in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells: implication in pulmonary hypertension

Severe pulmonary hypertension is a debilitating disease with an alarmingly low 5-yr life expectancy. Hypoxia, one of the causes of pulmonary hypertension, elicits constriction and remodeling of the pulmonary arteries. We now know that pulmonary arterial remodeling is a consequence of hyperplasia and hypertrophy of pulmonary artery smooth muscle (PASM), endothelial, myofibroblast, and stem cells. However, our knowledge about the mechanisms that cause these cells to proliferate and hypertrophy in response to hypoxic stimuli is still incomplete, and, hence, the treatment for severe pulmonary arterial hypertension is inadequate. Here we demonstrate that the activity and expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), the rate-limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway, are increased in hypoxic PASM cells and in lungs of chronic hypoxic rats. G6PD overexpression and -activation is stimulated by H2O2. Increased G6PD activity contributes to PASM cell proliferation by increasing Sp1 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), which directs the cells to synthesize less contractile (myocardin and SM22α) and more proliferative (cyclin A and phospho-histone H3) proteins. G6PD inhibition with dehydroepiandrosterone increased myocardin expression in remodeled pulmonary arteries of moderate and severe pulmonary hypertensive rats. These observations suggest that altered glucose metabolism and G6PD overactivation play a key role in switching the PASM cells from the contractile to synthetic phenotype by increasing Sp1 and HIF-1α, which suppresses myocardin, a key cofactor that maintains smooth muscle cell in contractile state, and increasing hypoxia-induced PASM cell growth, and hence contribute to pulmonary arterial remodeling and pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension.

A functional SNP in the MDM2 promoter mediates E2F1 affinity to modulate cyclin D1 expression in tumor cell proliferation

BACKGROUND

The MDM2 oncogene, a negative regulator of p53, has a functional polymorphism in the promoter region (SNP309) that is associated with multiple kinds of cancers including non-melanoma skin cancer. SNP309 has been shown to associate with accelerated tumor formation by increasing the affinity of the transcriptional activator Sp1. It remains unknown whether there are other factors involved in the regulation of MDM2 transcription through a trans-regulatory mechanism.

METHODS

In this study, SNP309 was verified to be associated with overexpression of MDM2 in tumor cells. Bioinformatics predicts that the T to G substitution at SNP309 generates a stronger E2F1 binding site, which was confirmed by ChIP and luciferase assays.

RESULTS

E2F1 knockdown downregulates the expression of MDM2, which confirms that E2F1 is a functional upstream regulator. Furthermore, tumor cells with the GG genotype exhibited a higher proliferation rate than TT, correlating with cyclin D1 expression. E2F1 depletion significantly inhibits the proliferation capacity and downregulates cyclin D1 expression, especially in GG genotype skin fibroblasts. Notably, E2F1 siRNA effects could be rescued by cyclin D1 overexpression.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, a novel modulator E2F1 was identified as regulating MDM2 expression dependent on SNP309 and further mediates cyclin D1 expression and tumor cell proliferation. E2F1 might act as an important factor for SNP309 serving as a rate-limiting event in carcinogenesis.

O-GlcNAc modification of transcription factor Sp1 mediates hyperglycemia-induced VEGF-A upregulation in retinal cells

PURPOSE

Proangiogenic protein VEGF-A contributes significantly to retinal lesions and neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy (DR). In preclinical DR, hyperglycemia can upregulate VEGF-A in retinal cells. The VEGF-A promoter is responsive to the transcription factor specificity protein 1 (Sp1). The O-GlcNAc modification is driven by glucose concentration and has a profound effect on Sp1 activity. This study investigated the effects of hyperglycemia on Sp1-mediated expression of VEGF-A in the retinal endothelium and pigment epithelium.

METHODS

Hyperglycemia-exposed ARPE-19 (human retinal pigment epithelial cells) and TR-iBRB (rat retinal microendothelial cells) were assayed for levels of VEGF-A by qRT-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA. Small molecule inhibitors of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) or O-GlcNAcase (OGA) were used to manipulate O-GlcNAc levels. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A protein and transcript were measured in cells depleted of OGT or Sp1 by shRNA. The proximal VEGF-A promoter was analyzed for glucose sensitivity by luciferase assay. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was used to assess Sp1 occupancy on the VEGF-A promoter.

RESULTS

Hyperglycemia increased VEGF-A promoter activity and upregulated VEGF-A transcript and protein. Elevation of O-GlcNAc by OGA inhibitors was sufficient to increase VEGF-A. O-GlcNAc transferase inhibition abrogated glucose-driven VEGF-A. Cellular depletion of OGT or Sp1 by shRNA significantly abrogated glucose-induced changes in VEGF-A. ChIP analysis showed that hyperglycemia significantly increased binding of Sp1 to the VEGF-A promoter.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperglycemia-driven VEGF-A production is mediated by elevated O-GlcNAc modification of the Sp1 transcription factor. This mechanism may be significant in the pathogenesis of preclinical DR through VEGF-A upregulation.

Survivin as a therapeutic target in Sonic hedgehog-driven medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly malignant brain tumor that occurs primarily in children. Although surgery, radiation and high-dose chemotherapy have led to increased survival, many MB patients still die from their disease, and patients who survive suffer severe long-term side effects as a consequence of treatment. Thus, more effective and less toxic therapies for MB are critically important. Development of such therapies depends in part on identification of genes that are necessary for growth and survival of tumor cells. Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein that regulates cell cycle progression and resistance to apoptosis, is frequently expressed in human MB and when expressed at high levels predicts poor clinical outcome. Therefore, we hypothesized that Survivin may have a critical role in growth and survival of MB cells and that targeting it may enhance MB therapy. Here we show that Survivin is overexpressed in tumors from patched (Ptch) mutant mice, a model of Sonic hedgehog (SHH)-driven MB. Genetic deletion of survivin in Ptch mutant tumor cells significantly inhibits proliferation and causes cell cycle arrest. Treatment with small-molecule antagonists of Survivin impairs proliferation and survival of both murine and human MB cells. Finally, Survivin antagonists impede growth of MB cells in vivo. These studies highlight the importance of Survivin in SHH-driven MB, and suggest that it may represent a novel therapeutic target in patients with this disease.

Integrated high-throughput analysis identifies Sp1 as a crucial determinant of p53-mediated apoptosis

The restoration of p53 tumor suppressor function is a promising therapeutic strategy to combat cancer. However, the biological outcomes of p53 activation, ranging from the promotion of growth arrest to the induction of cell death, are hard to predict, which limits the clinical application of p53-based therapies. In the present study, we performed an integrated analysis of genome-wide short hairpin RNA screen and gene expression data and uncovered a previously unrecognized role of Sp1 as a central modulator of the transcriptional response induced by p53 that leads to robust induction of apoptosis. Sp1 is indispensable for the pro-apoptotic transcriptional repression by p53, but not for the induction of pro-apoptotic genes. Furthermore, the p53-dependent pro-apoptotic transcriptional repression required the co-binding of Sp1 to p53 target genes. Our results also highlight that Sp1 shares with p53 a common regulator, MDM2, which targets Sp1 for proteasomal degradation. This uncovers a new mechanism of the tight control of apoptosis in cells. Our study advances the understanding of the molecular basis of p53-mediated apoptosis and implicates Sp1 as one of its key modulators. We found that small molecules reactivating p53 can differentially modulate Sp1, thus providing insights into how to manipulate p53 response in a controlled way.

Down-regulation of Sp1 suppresses cell proliferation, clonogenicity and the expressions of stem cell markers in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Transcription factor Sp1 is multifaceted, with the ability to function as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor, depending on the cellular context. We previously reported that Sp1 is required for the transcriptional activation of the key oncogenes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), including B-lymphoma mouse Moloney leukemia virus insertion region 1 (Bmi1) and centromere protein H (CENPH), but the role of Sp1 and its underlying mechanisms in NPC remained largely unexplored. The objective of this study was to investigate the cellular function of Sp1 and to verify the clinical significance of Sp1 as a potential therapeutic target in NPC.

METHODS

The levels of Sp1 in the normal primary nasopharyngeal epithelial cells (NPECs) and NPC cell lines were analyzed by Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The location and expression of Sp1 in the NPC tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry staining (IHC). The effect of Sp1 knockdown on the cell proliferation, clonogenicity, anchorage-independent growth and the stem-cell like phenotype in NPC cells were evaluated by MTT, flow cytometry, clonogenicity analysis and sphere formation assay.

RESULTS

The mRNA and protein levels of Sp1 were elevated in NPC cell lines than in the normal primary NPECs. Higher expression of Sp1 was found in NPC tissues with advanced clinical stage (P=0.00036). Either inhibition of Sp1 activity by mithramycin A, the FDA-approved chemotherapeutic anticancer drug or Sp1 silencing by two distinct siRNA against Sp1 suppressed the growth of NPC cells. Mechanism analysis revealed that Sp1 silencing may suppress cell proliferation, clonogenicity, anchorage-independent growth and the stem-cell like phenotype through inducing the expression of p27 and p21, and impairing the expressions of the critical stem cell transcription factors (SCTFs), including Bmi1, c-Myc and KLF4 in NPC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Sp1 was enriched in advanced NPC tissues and silencing of Sp1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, clonogenicity, anchorage-independent growth and the stem-cell like phenotype of NPC cells, suggesting Sp1 may serve as an appealing drug target for NPC.

An axis involving SNAI1, microRNA-128 and SP1 modulates glioma progression

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma is an extraordinarily aggressive disease that requires more effective therapeutic options. Snail family zinc finger 1, dysregulated in many neoplasms, has been reported to be involved in gliomas. However, the biological mechanisms underlying SNAI1 function in gliomas need further investigation.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure microRNA-128 (miR-128) expression level and western blot was performed to detect protein expression in U87 and U251 cells and human brain tissues. Cell cycle, CCK-8, transwell and wound-healing assays were performed. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used for identifying the mechanism of SNAI1 and miR-128b regulation. The mechanism of miR-128 targeting SP1 was also tested by luciferase reporter assay. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation staining were used for quantifying SNAI1, SP1 and miR-128 expression levels in human glioma samples.

RESULTS

The Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) data revealed that SNAI1 was up-regulated in glioma and we confirmed the findings in normal and glioma tissues. SNAI1 depletion by shRNA retarded the cell cycle and suppressed proliferation and invasion in glioma cell lines. The CGGA data showed that the Pearson correlation index between SNAI1 and miR-128 was negatively correlated. SNAI1 suppressed miR-128b expression by binding to the miR-128b specific promoter motif, and miR-128 targeted SP1 via binding to the 3'-untranslated region of SP1. Moreover, introduction of miR-128 anti-sense oligonucleotide alleviated the cell cycle retardation, proliferation and invasion inhibition induced by SNAI1 shRNA. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation analysis of SNAI1, SP1 and miR-128 unraveled their expression levels and correlations in glioma samples.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that the SNAI1/miR-128/SP1 axis, which plays a vital role in glioma progression, may come to be a clinically relevant therapeutic target.

Survivin and YM155: how faithful is the liaison?

Survivin belongs to the family of apoptosis inhibitors (IAPs), which antagonizes the induction of cell death. Dysregulated expression of IAPs is frequently observed in cancers, and the high levels of survivin in tumors compared to normal adult tissues make it an attractive target for pharmacological interventions. The small imidazolium-based compound YM155 has recently been reported to block the expression of survivin via inhibition of the survivin promoter. Recent data, however, question that this is the sole and main effect of this drug, which is already being tested in ongoing clinical studies. Here, we critically review the current data on YM155 and other new experimental agents supposed to antagonize survivin. We summarize how cells from various tumor entities and with differential expression of the tumor suppressor p53 respond to this agent in vitro and as murine xenografts. Additionally, we recapitulate clinical trials conducted with YM155. Our article further considers the potency of YM155 in combination with other anti-cancer agents and epigenetic modulators. We also assess state-of-the-art data on the sometimes very promiscuous molecular mechanisms affected by YM155 in cancer cells.

Identification of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 as a cell cycle regulator through modulating Sp1 mediated transcription in human hepatoma cells

The transcription factor Sp1 is implicated in the activation of G0/G1 phase genes. Modulation of Sp1 transcription activities may affect G1-S checkpoint, resulting in changes in cell proliferation. In this study, our results demonstrated that activated poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) promoted cell proliferation by inhibiting Sp1 signaling pathway. Cell proliferation and cell cycle assays demonstrated that PARP inhibitors or PARP-1 siRNA treatment significantly inhibited proliferation of hepatoma cells and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in hepatoma cells, while overexpression of PARP-1 or PARP-1 activator treatment promoted cell cycle progression. Simultaneously, inhibition of PARP-1 enhanced the expression of Sp1-mediated checkpoint proteins, such as p21 and p27. In this study, we also showed that Sp1 was poly(ADP-ribosyl)ated by PARP-1 in hepatoma cells. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation suppressed Sp1 mediated transcription through preventing Sp1 binding to the Sp1 response element present in the promoters of target genes. Taken together, these data indicated that PARP-1 inhibition attenuated the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of Sp1 and significantly increased the expression of Sp1 target genes, resulting in G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and the decreased proliferative ability of the hepatoma cells.

-216G/T (rs712829), a functional variant of the EGFR promoter, is associated with the pleural metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma

Numerous mutations and variants in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene have been demonstrated to be associated with the occurrence, metastasis and prognosis of various types of tumors, including lung cancer. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether -216G/T (rs712829), a functional polymorphism of the EGFR promoter that is able to induce EGFR activation and overexpression, is associated with the pleural metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma. The study subjects were comprised of 326 patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma and 312 matched cases with pleural metastasis. The -216G/T genotypes were determined in all subjects by PCR amplification and direct DNA sequencing, and EGFR expression was also evaluated by immunohistochemical staining in the primary tumor tissues with various -216G/T genotype backgrounds. The results showed that the frequencies of allele T and genotypes G/T and T/T in the pleural metastasis group were significantly higher compared with those in the non-metastasis group, with adjusted ORs of 1.46 (95% CI, 1.015–1.963) for G/T and 1.97 (95% CI, 1.051–3.152) for T/T. Furthermore, the expression of the EGFR protein was higher in the primary lung adenocarcinoma tissues with -216T/T and -216G/T compared with those with -216G/G (P<0.05). These results collectively indicate that the -216G/T polymorphism in the EGFR promoter is associated with the risk of the pleural metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma and that this effect may be associated with -216G/T-induced overexpression of the EGFR protein.

Resistin promotes the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in ovary carcinoma cells

Resistin is a novel hormone that is secreted by human adipocytes and mononuclear cells and is associated with obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation. Recently, resistin has been postulated to play a role in angiogenesis. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that resistin regulates ovary carcinoma production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the angiogenic processes. We found that in human ovarian epithelial carcinoma cells (HO-8910), resistin (10–150 ng/mL) enhanced both VEGF protein and mRNA expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, as well as promoter activity. Furthermore, resistin enhanced DNA-binding activity of Sp1 with VEGF promoter in a PI3K/Akt-dependent manner. PI3K/Akt activated by resistin led to increasing interaction with Sp1, triggering a progressive phosphorylation of Sp1 on Thr453 and Thr739, resulting in the upregulation of VEGF expression. In an in vitro angiogenesis system for endothelial cells (EA.hy926) co-cultured with HO-8910 cells, we observed that the addition of resistin stimulated endothelial cell tube formation, which could be abolished by VEGF neutralizing antibody. Our findings suggest that the PI3K/Akt-Sp1 pathway is involved in resistin-induced VEGF expression in HO-8910 cells and indicates that antiangiogenesis therapy may be beneficial treatment against ovarian epithelial carcinoma, especially in obese patients.

Endothelin-1 stimulates cyclin D1 expression in rat cultured astrocytes via activation of Sp1

Endothelins (ETs), a family of vasoconstrictor peptides, are up-regulated in several pathological conditions in the brain, and induce astrocytic proliferation. We previously observed that ET-1 increased the expression of cyclin D1 protein. Thus, we confirmed the intracellular up-regulation of cyclin D1 by ET-1 in rat cultured astrocytes. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that ET-1 (100 nM) and Ala(1,3,11,15)-ET-1 (100 nM), a selective agonist of the ETB receptor, induced a time-dependent and transient increase in cyclin D1 mRNA. The effect of ET-1 was diminished by an ETB antagonist (1 μM BQ788) or inhibitors of Sp1 (500 nM mithramycin), ERK (50 μM PD98059), p38 (20 μM SB203580) and JNK (1 μM SP600125), but not inhibitors of NF-κB (10 μM SN50 and 100 μM pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate). The binding assay for Sp1 indicated that ET-1 increased the binding activity of Sp1 to consensus sequences, and two oligonucleotides of the cyclin D1 promoter including the Sp1-binding sites diminished the effect of ET-1. Western blot analysis showed that ET-1 induced time-dependent and transient phosphorylation of Sp1 on Thr453 and Thr739 via the ETB receptor. ET-1-induced phosphorylation of Sp1 was attenuated by PD98059 and SP600125. Additionally, ET-1 increased the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in cultured astrocytes and the number of BrdU-positive cells decreased in the presence of PD98059, SP600125 and mithramycin. These results suggest that ET-1 increases the expression of cyclin D1 via activation of Sp1 and induces astrocytic proliferation.

Eradication of Human Ovarian Cancer Cells by Transgenic Expression of Recombinant DNASE1, DNASE1L3, DNASE2, and DFFB Controlled by EGFR Promoter: Novel Strategy for Targeted Therapy of Cancer

Introduction

Ovarian cancer is the most deadly among all gynecological cancers. Patients undergoing systemic therapies of advanced ovarian cancers suffer from horrendous side effects. Cancer survivors and their offspring suffer from iatrogenic consequences of systemic therapies: genetic mutations. The ultimate goal of our work is development of therapies, which selectively and completely eliminate cancer cells, but do not harm healthy cells. An important consideration for attaining this goal is the fact that ovarian cancer cells over-express EGFR or its mutants, what becomes the factor discriminating them from healthy cells - a potential facilitator of personalized therapy.

Specific aim

The specific aim of this project was threefold: (1) to bioengineer suicide genes’ carrying vectors guided by synthetic antibodies for EGFRvIII and EGFR; (2) to genetically engineer DNA constructs for the human, recombinant DNASE1, DNASE1L3, DNASE2, and DFFB controlled by the EGFR promoter; (3) to selectively eradicate ovarian cancer cells by intranuclear targeting of the transgenically expressed recombinant DNases.

Methods

Synthetic antibodies for EGFR and EGFRvIII were selected from the human library and used to bioengineer biotag-guided transgenes’ vectors. Coding sequences for the human DNASE1, DNASE1L3, DNASE2, DFFB controlled by the EGFR promoter were amplified from the human cDNA and genetically engineered into the plasmid constructs also coding for the fusions with NLS and GFP. The vectors carrying transgenes for the DNases were delivered in vitro into human ovarian cancer cells from ascites and cultures.

Results

Synthetic antibody guided vectors delivered the transgenes for the recombinant DNases efficiently into the ovarian cancer cells. Transgenic expression and nuclear targeting of the DNases in those cells resulted in destruction of their genomes and led to their death, as validated by labeling with the molecular death tags. In healthy cells, which did not over-express EGFR, no changes were recorded.

Conclusion

Targeted expression of the recombinant DNASE1, DNASE1L3, DNASE2, DFFB in the ovarian cancers in vitro resulted in their complete eradication, but had no effects upon the healthy cells. This novel therapeutic strategy has a potential for streamlining it into in vivo trials, as personalized, targeted therapy of ovarian and other cancers.

Expression profiling and biochemical analysis suggest stress response as a potential mechanism inhibiting proliferation of polyamine-depleted cells

Polyamines are small organic polycations that are absolutely required for cell growth and proliferation; yet the basis for this requirement is mostly unknown. Here, we combined a genome-wide expression profiling with biochemical analysis to reveal the molecular basis for inhibited proliferation of polyamine-depleted cells. Transcriptional responses accompanying growth arrest establishment in polyamine-depleted cells or growth resumption following polyamine replenishment were monitored and compared. Changes in the expression of genes related to various fundamental cellular processes were established. Analysis of mirror-symmetric expression patterns around the G(1)-arrest point identified a set of genes representing a stress-response signature. Indeed, complementary biochemical analysis demonstrated activation of the PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase arm of the unfolded protein response and of the stress-induced p38 MAPK. These changes were accompanied by induction of key growth-inhibitory factors such as p21 and Gadd45a and reduced expression of various cyclins, most profoundly cyclin D1, setting the basis for the halted proliferation. However, although the induced stress response could arrest growth, polyamine depletion also inhibited proliferation of PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase and p38α-deficient cells and of cells harboring a nonphosphorylatable mutant eIF2α (S51A), suggesting that additional yet unidentified mechanisms might inhibit proliferation of polyamine-depleted cells. Despite lengthy persistence of the stress and activation of apoptotic signaling, polyamine-depleted cells remained viable, apparently due to induced expression of protective genes and development of autophagy.

Rescue of the transcription factors Sp1 and NFI in human skin keratinocytes through a feeder-layer-dependent suppression of the proteasome activity

Co-culturing human skin keratinocytes along with a feeder layer has proven to considerably improve their proliferative properties by delaying massive induction of terminal differentiation. Through a yet unclear mechanism, we recently reported that irradiated 3T3 (i3T3) fibroblasts used as a feeder layer increase the nuclear content of Sp1, a positive transcription factor (TF) that plays a critical role in many cellular functions including cell proliferation, into both adult skin keratinocytes and newborn skin keratinocytes. In this study, we examined the influence of i3T3 on the expression and DNA binding of NFI, another TF important for cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, and attempted to decipher the mechanism by which the feeder layer contributes at maintaining higher levels of these TFs in skin keratinocytes. Our results indicate that co-culturing both adult skin keratinocytes and newborn skin keratinocytes along with a feeder layer dramatically increases glycosylation of NFI and may prevent it from being degraded by the proteasome.

Anti-fibrotic effects via regulation of transcription factor Sp1 on hepatic stellate cells

BACKGROUND

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the central cells in hepatic fibrosis, are characterized by sustaining activation, a process that consists in increased proliferation and over-expression of fibrotic genes. Transcription factor Sp1 mediates the expression of a variety of fibrotic genes expression and thereby play an important role in fibrosis. In addition, previous reports have indicated that Sp1 binding activity is greatly increased in activated HSCs. Thus, our aim was to investigate the anti-proliferative and anti-fibrotic effects of the oligonuceotide decoy of the transcription factor Sp1, ODN, a potent inhibitor of Sp1-activated transcription.

METHODS

We optimized Lipofectamin 2000 (LF2000):ODN DNA ratio for the transfection of hepatic stellate cells HSC-T6. Then we measure the effect of transfected ODN on HSC-T6 cells' proliferation and fibrotic gene expression, and study the mechanism involved.

RESULTS

At a DNA concentration of 1 μM and a ratio ODN DNA:LF2000 of 1:3, HSC-T6 cells have the maximal transfection efficiency with the lowest toxicity. Transfected ODN effectively blocks Sp1 binding to the promoter regions of cell cycle regulatory proteins cyclin D1, p27(KIP1) and fibrotic genes, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, α-SMA, α1 (I) collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1). ODN inhibits HSC-T6 proliferation and fibrotic genes expression in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Sp1 is a key transcription factor that mediates proliferation and fibrotic gene synthesis of HSC-T6, inhibition of Sp1 with decoy ODN may be an effective approach to prevent the progression of hepatic fibrosis.

Low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) promotes VEGF expression and vascular endothelial cell proliferation through the activation of ERK/Sp1 pathway

Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, represents an excellent therapeutic target for the treatment of wound healing and cardiovascular disease. Herein, we report that LPLI (low-power laser irradiation) activates ERK/Sp1 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase/specificity protein 1) pathway to promote VEGF expression and vascular endothelial cell proliferation. We demonstrate for the first time that LPLI enhances DNA-binding and transactivation activity of Sp1 on VEGF promoter in vascular endothelial cells. Moreover, Sp1-regulated transcription is in an ERK-dependent manner. Activated ERK by LPLI translocates from cytoplasm to nuclear and leads to increasing interaction with Sp1, triggering a progressive phosphorylation of Sp1 on Thr453 and Thr739, resulting in the upregulation of VEGF expression. Furthermore, selective inhibition of Sp1 by mithramycin-A or shRNA suppresses the promotion effect of LPLI on cell cycle progression and proliferation, which is also significantly abolished by inhibition of ERK activity. These findings highlight the important roles of ERK/Sp1 pathway in angiogenesis, supplying potential strategy for angiogenesis-related diseases with LPLI treatment.

Rb and nucleolin antagonize in controlling human CD34 gene expression

Retinoblastoma protein (Rb) controls cell proliferation, differentiation, survival and gene expression and it has a central role in the signaling network that provides a cell cycle checkpoint in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Studies in mice have shown that Rb regulates interactions between hematopoietic stem cells and their bone marrow microenvironment and it acts as a critical regulator of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells under stress. In human hematopoiesis, the CD34 protein is expressed on a subset of progenitor cells capable of self-renewal, multilineage differentiation, and hematopoietic reconstitution, and CD34 has a role in the differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Here we find that, in CD34-positive hematopoietic cells, Rb controls the human CD34 promoter region by antagonizing the CD34 promoter factor nucleolin to provide a mechanism that links expression of endogenous CD34 to cell cycle progression. Our study suggests a direct involvement of Rb in the transcriptional program of human CD34-positive hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, thus providing further insights into the molecular network relevant to the features of these cells.

Acute endotoxin-induced thymic atrophy is characterized by intrathymic inflammatory and wound healing responses

Background

Productive thymopoiesis is essential for a robust and healthy immune system. Thymus unfortunately is acutely sensitive to stress resulting in involution and decreased T cell production. Thymic involution is a complication of many clinical settings, including infection, malnutrition, starvation, and irradiation or immunosuppressive therapies. Systemic rises in glucocorticoids and inflammatory cytokines are known to contribute to thymic atrophy. Little is known, however, about intrathymic mechanisms that may actively contribute to thymus atrophy or initiate thymic recovery following stress events.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Phenotypic, histologic and transcriptome/pathway analysis of murine thymic tissue during the early stages of endotoxemia-induced thymic involution was performed to identify putative mechanisms that drive thymic involution during stress. Thymus atrophy in this murine model was confirmed by down-regulation of genes involved in T cell development, cell activation, and cell cycle progression, correlating with observed phenotypic and histologic thymus involution. Significant gene changes support the hypothesis that multiple key intrathymic pathways are differentially activated during stress-induced thymic involution. These included direct activation of thymus tissue by LPS through TLR signaling, local expression of inflammatory cytokines, inhibition of T cell signaling, and induction of wound healing/tissue remodeling.

Conclusions/Significance

Taken together, these observations demonstrated that in addition to the classic systemic response, a direct intrathymic response to endotoxin challenge concurrently contributes to thymic involution during endotoxemia. These findings are a substantial advancement over current understanding of thymus response to stress and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to ameliorate immune deficiency associated with stress events.

Control of intestinal promoter activity of the cellular migratory regulator gene ELMO3 by CDX2 and SP1

An important aspect of the cellular differentiation in the intestine is the migration of epithelial cells from the crypt to the villus tip. As homeodomaine transcription factor CDX2 has been suggested to influence cell migration, we performed a genome-wide promoter analysis for CDX2 binding in the differentiated human intestinal cancer cell line Caco-2 in order to identify CDX2-regulated genes involved in cellular migration. The engulfment and cell motility 3 (ELMO3) gene was identified as a potential CDX2 target gene. ELMO3 is an essential upstream regulator of the GTP-binding protein RAC during cell migration. However, no information is available about the transcriptional regulation of the ELMO3 gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of CDX2 in the regulation of the ELMO3 promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that CDX2 bound to conserved CDX2 sequences and mutations of the CDX2-binding sites, significantly reduced the promoter activity. Reporter gene assays demonstrated that the region mediating ELMO3 basal transcriptional activity to be located between -270 and -31 bp. Sequence analysis revealed no typical TATA-box, but four GC-rich sequences. In vitro analyses (electrophoretic mobility shift assays and promoter analyses) demonstrate that the SP1-binding sites are likely to play an important role in regulating the ELMO3 promoter activity. Furthermore, we showed here that CDX2 and SP1 can activate the ELMO3 promoter. Taken together, the present study reports the first characterization of the ELMO3 promoter and suggests a significant role of CDX2 in the basal transcriptional regulation of the intestine-specific expression of ELMO3, possibly through interaction with SP1.

Hydrogen peroxide decreases endothelial nitric oxide synthase promoter activity through the inhibition of Sp1 activity

We have previously shown that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) promoter activity is decreased in endothelial cells in response to the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), and this involves, at least in part, the inhibition of AP-1 activity. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine if other cis-element(s) and transcription factor(s) are involved in the oxidant-mediated downregulation of eNOS. Our initial experiments indicated that although H(2)O(2) treatment increased eNOS mRNA levels in ovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (OPAECs), there was a significant decrease in the promoter activity of an eNOS promoter construct containing 840 bp of upstream sequence. However, a truncated promoter construct that lacked the AP-1 element (650 bp) was also inhibited by H(2)O(2). A similar effect was observed when the 650 bp human eNOS promoter construct was transfected into human PAECs. We also found that although exposure of the cells to PEG-catalase prevented the inhibitory effect on eNOS promoter activity, the hydroxyl radical scavenger, deferoxamine myslate, did not. Nor could we identify an increase in hydroxyl radical levels in cells exposed to H(2)O(2). Exposure of PAECs caused a significant increase in labile zinc levels in response to H(2)O(2). As the eNOS promoter has a cis-element for Sp1 binding, we evaluated the role of Sp1 in response to H(2)O(2). As previously reported, mutation of the Sp1 consensus lead to the complete loss of eNOS promoter activity, confirming the key role of Sp1 in regulating basal eNOS promoter activity. In addition, we found, using electrophoretic mobility and supershift assays, that H(2)O(2) decreased Sp1 binding. Finally, using chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis, we found a significant decrease in Sp1 binding to the eNOS promoter in vivo in response to treatment with H(2)O(2). Together, these data suggest that the inhibition of Sp1 activity, possibly through loss of zinc in the protein, plays a role in the H(2)O(2)-induced inhibition of eNOS promoter activity.

Sp1 plays an important role in regulating the transcription of ZNF313

The ZNF313 gene has the highest transcription level in fertile male testes and may be related to human spermatogenesis. The deletion-mutated plasmids of ZNF313 promoter were constructed and transfected into HEK293 cells. The result showed that the fragment from nt -157 to +8 has a basal transcriptional activity. A functional Sp1 binding site was identified by site-directed mutation test and mithramycin A treatment. A 447-bp based at +233 to -213 exhibits a characteristic CpG island, which overlaps with the promoter region. Our work suggests that ZNF313 is controlled at the transcriptional level, and a common mechanism controlling the basal transcription of ZNF313 gene exists.

GATA-1 directly regulates p21 gene expression during erythroid differentiation

Lineage-determination transcription factors coordinate cell differentiation and proliferation by controlling the synthesis of lineage-specific gene products as well as cell cycle regulators. GATA-1 is a master regulator of erythropoiesis. Its role in regulating erythroid-specific genes has been extensively studied, whereas its role in controlling genes that regulate cell proliferation is less understood. Ectopic expression of GATA-1 in erythroleukemia cells releases the block to their differentiation and leads to terminal cell division. An early event in reprogramming the erythroleukemia cells is induction of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. Remarkably, ectopic expression of p21 also induces the erythroleukemia cells to differentiate. We now report that GATA-1 directly regulates transcription of the p21 gene in both erythroleukemia cells and normal erythroid progenitors. Using reporter, electrophoretic mobility shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we show that GATA-1 stimulates p21 gene transcription by binding to consensus binding sites in the upstream region of the p21 gene promoter. This activity is also dependent on a binding site for Sp1/KLF-like factors near the transcription start site. Our findings indicate that p21 is a crucial downstream gene target and effector of GATA-1 during red blood cell terminal differentiation.