The ternary complex factor Net/Elk-3 participates in the transcriptional response to hypoxia and regulates HIF-1 alpha

Transcription factors regulating vasculogenesis and angiogenesis

Transcription factors (TFs) play a crucial role in regulating the dynamic and precise patterns of gene expression required for the initial specification of endothelial cells (ECs), and during endothelial growth and differentiation. While sharing many core features, ECs can be highly heterogeneous. Differential gene expression between ECs is essential to pattern the hierarchical vascular network into arteries, veins and capillaries, to drive angiogenic growth of new vessels, and to direct specialization in response to local signals. Unlike many other cell types, ECs have no single master regulator, instead relying on differing combinations of a necessarily limited repertoire of TFs to achieve tight spatial and temporal activation and repression of gene expression. Here, we will discuss the cohort of TFs known to be involved in directing gene expression during different stages of mammalian vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, with a primary focus on development.

The Elk-3 target Abhd10 ameliorates hepatotoxic injury and fibrosis in alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and other forms of chronic hepatotoxic injury can lead to transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1)-induced hepatic fibrosis and compromised liver function, underscoring the need to develop novel treatments for these conditions. Herein, our analyses of liver tissue samples from severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) patients and two murine models of ALD reveals that the ALD phenotype was associated with upregulation of the transcription factor ETS domain-containing protein (ELK-3) and ELK-3 signaling activity coupled with downregulation of α/β hydrolase domain containing 10 (ABHD10) and upregulation of deactivating S-palmitoylation of the antioxidant protein Peroxiredoxin 5 (PRDX5). In vitro, we further demonstrate that ELK-3 can directly bind to the ABHD10 promoter to inhibit its transactivation. TGFβ1 and epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling induce ABHD10 downregulation and PRDX5 S-palmitoylation via ELK-3. This ELK-3-mediated ABHD10 downregulation drives oxidative stress and disrupts mature hepatocyte function via enhancing S-palmitoylation of PRDX5's Cys100 residue. In vivo, ectopic Abhd10 overexpression ameliorates liver damage in ALD model mice. Overall, these data suggest that the therapeutic targeting of the ABHD10-PRDX5 axis may represent a viable approach to treating ALD and other forms of hepatotoxicity.

Chronic airway epithelial hypoxia exacerbates injury in muco-obstructive lung disease through mucus hyperconcentration

Unlike solid organs, human airway epithelia derive their oxygen from inspired air rather than the vasculature. Many pulmonary diseases are associated with intraluminal airway obstruction caused by aspirated foreign bodies, virus infection, tumors, or mucus plugs intrinsic to airway disease, including cystic fibrosis (CF). Consistent with requirements for luminal O2, airway epithelia surrounding mucus plugs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) lungs are hypoxic. Despite these observations, the effects of chronic hypoxia (CH) on airway epithelial host defense functions relevant to pulmonary disease have not been investigated. Molecular characterization of resected human lungs from individuals with a spectrum of muco-obstructive lung diseases (MOLDs) or COVID-19 identified molecular features of chronic hypoxia, including increased EGLN3 expression, in epithelia lining mucus-obstructed airways. In vitro experiments using cultured chronically hypoxic airway epithelia revealed conversion to a glycolytic metabolic state with maintenance of cellular architecture. Chronically hypoxic airway epithelia unexpectedly exhibited increased MUC5B mucin production and increased transepithelial Na+ and fluid absorption mediated by HIF1α/HIF2α-dependent up-regulation of β and γENaC (epithelial Na+ channel) subunit expression. The combination of increased Na+ absorption and MUC5B production generated hyperconcentrated mucus predicted to perpetuate obstruction. Single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing analyses of chronically hypoxic cultured airway epithelia revealed transcriptional changes involved in airway wall remodeling, destruction, and angiogenesis. These results were confirmed by RNA-in situ hybridization studies of lungs from individuals with MOLD. Our data suggest that chronic airway epithelial hypoxia may be central to the pathogenesis of persistent mucus accumulation in MOLDs and associated airway wall damage.

A comprehensive single cell data analysis of lymphoblastoid cells reveals the role of super-enhancers in maintaining EBV latency

We probed the lifecycle of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) on a cell-by-cell basis using single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from nine publicly available lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). While the majority of LCLs comprised cells containing EBV in the latent phase, two other clusters of cells were clearly evident and were distinguished by distinct expression of host and viral genes. Notably, both were high expressors of EBV LMP1/BNLF2 and BZLF1 compared to another cluster that expressed neither gene. The two novel clusters differed from each other in their expression of EBV lytic genes, including glycoprotein gene GP350. The first cluster, comprising GP350- LMP1hi cells, expressed high levels of HIF1A and was transcriptionally regulated by HIF1-α. Treatment of LCLs with Pevonedistat, a drug that enhances HIF1-α signaling, markedly induced this cluster. The second cluster, containing GP350+ LMP1hi cells, expressed EBV lytic genes. Host genes that are controlled by super-enhancers (SEs), such as transcription factors MYC and IRF4, had the lowest expression in this cluster. Functionally, the expression of genes regulated by MYC and IRF4 in GP350+ LMP1hi cells were lower compared to other cells. Indeed, induction of EBV lytic reactivation in EBV+ AKATA reduced the expression of these SE-regulated genes. Furthermore, CRISPR-mediated perturbation of the MYC or IRF4 SEs in LCLs induced the lytic EBV gene expression, suggesting that host SEs and/or SE target genes are required for maintenance of EBV latency. Collectively, our study revealed EBV-associated heterogeneity among LCLs that may have functional consequence on host and viral biology.

ELK3 Targeting AEG1 Promotes Migration and Invasion of Ovarian Cancer Cells under Hypoxia

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common tumors in female reproductive organs with a five-year survival rate of less than 45%. Metastasis is a crucial contributor to OC development. ETS transcription factor (ELK3), as a transcriptional factor, have been involved in multiple tumor development. However, its role in OC remains elusive. In this study, we observed high expression of ELK3 and AEG1 in human OC tissues. OVCAR-3 and SKOV3 cells were treated with hypoxia to mimic tumor microenvironment in vivo. We found that the expression of ELK3 was significantly increased in cells under hypoxia compared with normoxia. ELK3 knockdown inhibited cell migration and invasion abilities under hypoxia. Moreover, ELK3 knockdown decreased β-catenin expression and inhibited the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in SKOV3 cells under hypoxia. Astrocyte-elevated gene-1 (AEG1) has been reported to promote OC progression. Our results showed that the mRNA level of AEG1 was decreased when ELK3 knockdown under hypoxia. Dural luciferase assay confirmed that ELK3 bound to gene AEG1 promoter (-2005-+15) and enhanced its transcriptional activity under hypoxia. Overexpression of AEG1 increased the migration and invasion abilities of SKOV3 cell with ELK3 knockdown. In the absence of ELK3, the activation of β-catenin was recovered by AEG1 overexpression. To sum up, we conclude that ELK3 promotes AEG1 expression by binding to its promoter. ELK3 could promote migration and invasion of OC cells by targeting AEG1, which provides a potential basis for therapeutic approaches to OC.

ELK3 Mediated by ZEB1 Facilitates the Growth and Metastasis of Pancreatic Carcinoma by Activating the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

Rapid progression and metastasis are the major causes of death in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). ELK3, a member of the ternary complex factor (TCF), has been associated with the initiation and progression of various cancers. However, the role of ELK3 in PDAC is not yet fully understood. Online databases and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the ELK3 levels in PDAC tissues. The function of ELK3 was confirmed by a series of in vivo and in vitro studies. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to detect the molecular mechanisms of PDAC. ChIP-qPCR was used to study the mechanism responsible for the elevation of ELK3 expression in PDAC. The ELK3 levels were higher in PDAC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. Functionally, we demonstrated that ELK3 acted as an oncogene to promote PDAC tumorigenesis and metastasis. Further study suggested that ELK3 promoted PDAC cell migration and invasion by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and proved that ZEB1 could directly bind to the promoter of ELK3 to increase its transcription. Finally, both were associated with the patients’ clinicopathological features and worse overall survival. Conclusively, our findings enrich the role of ELK3 in PDAC, and provide potential avenues for exploring more effective biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of PDAC.

Ultra high-risk PFA ependymoma is characterized by loss of chromosome 6q

BACKGROUND

Within PF-EPN-A, 1q gain is a marker of poor prognosis, however, it is unclear if within PF-EPN-A additional cytogenetic events exist which can refine risk stratification.

METHODS

Five independent non-overlapping cohorts of PF-EPN-A were analyzed applying genome-wide methylation arrays for chromosomal and clinical variables predictive of survival.

RESULTS

Across all cohorts, 663 PF-EPN-A were identified. The most common broad copy number event was 1q gain (18.9%), followed by 6q loss (8.6%), 9p gain (6.5%), and 22q loss (6.8%). Within 1q gain tumors, there was significant enrichment for 6q loss (17.7%), 10q loss (16.9%), and 16q loss (15.3%). The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was strikingly worse in those patients with 6q loss, with a 5-year PFS of 50% (95% CI 45%-55%) for balanced tumors, compared with 32% (95% CI 24%-44%) for 1q gain only, 7.3% (95% CI 2.0%-27%) for 6q loss only and 0 for both 1q gain and 6q loss (P = 1.65 × 10-13). After accounting for treatment, 6q loss remained the most significant independent predictor of survival in PF-EPN-A but is not in PF-EPN-B. Distant relapses were more common in 1q gain irrespective of 6q loss. RNA sequencing comparing 6q loss to 6q balanced PF-EPN-A suggests that 6q loss forms a biologically distinct group.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified an ultra high-risk PF-EPN-A ependymoma subgroup, which can be reliably ascertained using cytogenetic markers in routine clinical use. A change in treatment paradigm is urgently needed for this particular subset of PF-EPN-A where novel therapies should be prioritized for upfront therapy.

Brain transcriptome analysis reveals subtle effects on mitochondrial function and iron homeostasis of mutations in the SORL1 gene implicated in early onset familial Alzheimer's disease

To prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we must understand its molecular basis. The great majority of AD cases arise sporadically with a late onset after 65 years of age (LOAD). However, rare familial cases of AD can occur due to dominant mutations in a small number of genes that cause an early onset prior to 65 years of age (EOfAD). As EOfAD and LOAD share similar pathologies and disease progression, analysis of EOfAD genetic models may give insight into both subtypes of AD. Sortilin-related receptor 1 (SORL1) is genetically associated with both EOfAD and LOAD and provides a unique opportunity to investigate the relationships between both forms of AD. Currently, the role of SORL1 mutations in AD pathogenesis is unclear. To understand the molecular consequences of SORL1 mutation, we performed targeted mutagenesis of the orthologous gene in zebrafish. We generated an EOfAD-like mutation, V1482Afs, and a putatively null mutation, to investigate whether EOfAD-like mutations in sorl1 display haploinsufficiency by acting through loss-of-function mechanisms. We performed mRNA-sequencing on whole brains, comparing wild type fish with their siblings heterozygous for EOfAD-like or putatively loss-of-function mutations in sorl1, or transheterozygous for these mutations. Differential gene expression analysis identified a small number of differentially expressed genes due to the sorl1 genotypes. We also performed enrichment analysis on all detectable genes to obtain a more complete view on changes to gene expression by performing three methods of gene set enrichment analysis, then calculated an overall significance value using the harmonic mean p-value. This identified subtle effects on expression of genes involved in energy production, mRNA translation and mTORC1 signalling in both the EOfAD-like and null mutant brains, implying that these effects are due to sorl1 haploinsufficiency. Surprisingly, we also observed changes to expression of genes occurring only in the EOfAD-mutation carrier brains, suggesting gain-of-function effects. Transheterozygosity for the EOfAD-like and null mutations (i.e. lacking wild type sorl1), caused apparent effects on iron homeostasis and other transcriptome changes distinct from the single-mutation heterozygous fish. Our results provide insight into the possible early brain molecular effects of an EOfAD mutation in human SORL1. Differential effects of heterozygosity and complete loss of normal SORL1 expression are revealed.

Immune-related genes in tumor-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in colon cancer

Background

Immune escape is an immunological mechanism underlying tumorigenesis, and T cells play an important role in this process. In this study, immune-related genes were evaluated in tumor-infiltrating CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in colon cancer.

Methods

ESTIMATE was used to calculate stromal and immune scores for tumor datasets downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas–Colon Cancer (COAD). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between samples with high and low stromal and immune scores were screened, followed by a functional enrichment analysis of the overlapping DEGs. The DEGs related to CD4⁺ and the CD8⁺ T cells were then screened. Predicted miRNA–mRNA and lncRNA–miRNA pairs were used to construct a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. Furthermore, chemical–gene interactions were predicted for genes in the ceRNA network. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were also plotted.

Results

In total, 83 stromal-related DEGs (5 up-regulated and 78 down-regulated) and 1270 immune-related DEGs (807 up-regulated and 293 down-regulated genes) were detected. The 79 overlapping DEGs were enriched for 39 biological process terms. Furthermore, 79 CD4⁺ T cell-related genes and 8 CD8⁺ T cell-related genes, such as ELK3, were screened. Additionally, ADAD1 and DLG3, related to CD4⁺ T cells, were significantly associated with the prognosis of patients with colon cancer. The chr22-38_28785274–29,006,793.1–miR-106a-5p-DDHD1 and chr22-38_28785274–29,006,793.1–miR-4319-GRHL1 axes obtained from CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell-related ceRNAs were identified as candidates for further studies.

Conclusion

ELK3 is a candidate immune-related gene in colon cancer. The chr22-38_28785274–29,006,793.1–miR-106a-5p-DDHD1 and chr22-38_28785274–29,006,793.1–miR-4319-GRHL1 axes may be related to CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell infiltration in colon cancer.

Transcriptional profiling of lung cell populations in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

Despite recent improvements in management of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, mortality remains high. Understanding the alterations in the transcriptome–phenotype of the key lung cells involved could provide insight into the drivers of pathogenesis. In this study, we examined differential gene expression of cell types implicated in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension from lung explants of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension compared to control lungs. After tissue digestion, we analyzed all cells from three idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and six control lungs using droplet-based single cell RNA-sequencing. After dimensional reduction by t-stochastic neighbor embedding, we compared the transcriptomes of endothelial cells, pericyte/smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and macrophage clusters, examining differential gene expression and pathways implicated by analysis of Gene Ontology Enrichment. We found that endothelial cells and pericyte/smooth muscle cells had the most differentially expressed gene profile compared to other cell types. Top differentially upregulated genes in endothelial cells included novel genes: ROBO4, APCDD1, NDST1, MMRN2, NOTCH4, and DOCK6, as well as previously reported genes: ENG, ORAI2, TFDP1, KDR, AMOTL2, PDGFB, FGFR1, EDN1, and NOTCH1. Several transcription factors were also found to be upregulated in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension endothelial cells including SOX18, STRA13, LYL1, and ELK, which have known roles in regulating endothelial cell phenotype. In particular, SOX18 was implicated through bioinformatics analyses in regulating the idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension endothelial cell transcriptome. Furthermore, idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension endothelial cells upregulated expression of FAM60A and HDAC7, potentially affecting epigenetic changes in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension endothelial cells. Pericyte/smooth muscle cells expressed genes implicated in regulation of cellular apoptosis and extracellular matrix organization, and several ligands for genes showing increased expression in endothelial cells. In conclusion, our study represents the first detailed look at the transcriptomic landscape across idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension lung cells and provides robust insight into alterations that occur in vivo in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension lungs.

Approaches to develop therapeutics to treat frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) is a complex disease presenting as a spectrum of clinical disorders with progressive degeneration of frontal and temporal brain cortices and extensive neuroinflammation that result in personality and behavior changes, and eventually, death. There are currently no effective therapies for FTD. While 60-70% of FTD patients are sporadic cases, the other 30-40% are heritable (familial) cases linked to mutations in several known genes. We focus here on FTD caused by mutations in the GRN gene, which encodes a secreted protein, progranulin (PGRN), that has diverse roles in regulating cell survival, immune responses, and autophagy and lysosome function in the brain. FTD-linked mutations in GRN reduce brain PGRN levels that lead to autophagy and lysosome dysfunction, TDP43 accumulation, excessive microglial activation, astrogliosis, and neuron death through still poorly understood mechanisms. PGRN insufficiency has also been linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD), and so the development of therapeutics for GRN-linked FTD that restore PGRN levels and function may have broader application for other neurodegenerative diseases. This review focuses on a strategy to increase PGRN to functional, healthy levels in the brain by identifying novel genetic and chemical modulators of neuronal PGRN levels. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'The Quest for Disease-Modifying Therapies for Neurodegenerative Disorders'.

Long Non-Coding RNA LINC00525 Promotes the Stemness and Chemoresistance of Colorectal Cancer by Targeting miR-507/ELK3 Axis

Background and Objectives

This study aims to explore the effects of a long non-coding RNA, LINC00525, on colorectal cancer (CRC) and its underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods

The qPCR, MTT, colony formation, Western blotting, Luciferase reporter and biotin pull-down, shRNA knockdown and DNA fragmentation assays were performed in this study.

Results

High expressions of LINC00525 were associated with poor prognosis of CRC patients. LINC00525 knockdown decreased stemness properties and increased sensitivities to oxaliplatin. MiR-507 was a direct target of LINC00525 and overexpression of miR-507 significantly decreased abilities of tumorsphere formation and cell growth. Overexpression of miR-507 resulted in a decrease of expression of cancer stem cell markers and the increase of apoptosis rates. MiR-507 regulated the expression of ELK3. In addition, LINC00525 knockdown decreased the expression of ELK3. Restoration of ELK3 expression abrogated the effects of LINC00525 knockdown. LINC00525 could be served as prognostic marker of CRC.

Conclusions

LINC00525 enhanced stemness properties and increased sensitivities of CRC cells to oxaliplatin by targeting miR-507/ELK3 axis.

LRG1 Promotes Keratinocyte Migration and Wound Repair through Regulation of HIF-1α Stability

Re-epithelialization is a complex process during skin wound healing, and cell migration is an integral part of this phenomenon. Here we identified a role for LRG1 as a key regulator of epidermal keratinocyte migration where LRG1 acts via enhancement of HIF-1α stability. We showed that LRG1 is upregulated at murine skin wound edges and that addition of recombinant human LRG1 accelerates keratinocyte migration and skin wound healing. Furthermore, we identified transcription factor ELK3 as a downstream effector of LRG1. We confirmed that elevated ELK3 levels manipulated by LRG1 can promote cell migration through upregulation of HIF-1α stability. Because hyperglycemia complicatedly affects HIF-1α stability and activation, our findings provide insights into the molecular controls of wound-associated cell migration and identify potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds. In conclusion, we demonstrated that LRG1 promotes wound repair through keratinocyte migration and is important for normalization of an abnormal process of diabetic wound healing where HIF-1α stability is insufficient.

HIF-1α is over-expressed in leukemic cells from TP53-disrupted patients and is a promising therapeutic target in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) regulates the response of tumor cells to hypoxia and their protective interactions with the leukemic microenvironment. In this study, we demonstrate that CLL cells from TP53-disrupted (TP53^dis) patients have constitutively higher expression levels of the α-subunit of HIF-1 (HIF-1α) and increased HIF-1 transcriptional activity compared to the wild-type counterpart. In the TP53^dis subset, HIF-1α upregulation is due to reduced expression of the HIF-1α ubiquitin ligase von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL). Hypoxia and stromal cells further enhance HIF-1α accumulation, independently of TP53 status. Hypoxia acts through the downmodulation of pVHL and the activation of the PI3K/AKT and RAS/ERK1-2 pathways, whereas stromal cells induce an increased activity of the RAS/ERK1-2, RHOA/RHOA kinase and PI3K/AKT pathways, without affecting pVHL expression. Interestingly, we observed that higher levels of HIF-1A mRNA correlate with a lower susceptibility of leukemic cells to spontaneous apoptosis, and associate with the fludarabine resistance that mainly characterizes TP53^dis tumor cells. The HIF-1α inhibitor BAY87-2243 exerts cytotoxic effects toward leukemic cells, regardless of the TP53 status, and has anti-tumor activity in Em-TCL1 mice. BAY87-2243 also overcomes the constitutive fludarabine resistance of TP53^dis leukemic cells and elicits a strongly synergistic cytotoxic effect in combination with ibrutinib, thus providing preclinical evidence to stimulate further investigation into use as a potential new drug in CLL.

Genetic Regulation of Neuronal Progranulin Reveals a Critical Role for the Autophagy-Lysosome Pathway

Deficient progranulin levels cause dose-dependent neurological syndromes: haploinsufficiency leads to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and nullizygosity produces adult-onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Mechanisms controlling progranulin levels are largely unknown. To better understand progranulin regulation, we performed a genome-wide RNAi screen using an ELISA-based platform to discover genes that regulate progranulin levels in neurons. We identified 830 genes that raise or lower progranulin levels by at least 1.5-fold in Neuro2a cells. When inhibited by siRNA or some by submicromolar concentrations of small-molecule inhibitors, 33 genes of the druggable genome increased progranulin levels in mouse primary cortical neurons; several of these also raised progranulin levels in FTLD model mouse neurons. "Hit" genes regulated progranulin by transcriptional or posttranscriptional mechanisms. Pathway analysis revealed enrichment of hit genes from the autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP), suggesting a key role for this pathway in regulating progranulin levels. Progranulin itself regulates lysosome function. We found progranulin deficiency in neurons increased autophagy and caused abnormally enlarged lysosomes and boosting progranulin levels restored autophagy and lysosome size to control levels. Our data link the ALP to neuronal progranulin: progranulin levels are regulated by autophagy and, in turn, progranulin regulates the ALP. Restoring progranulin levels by targeting genetic modifiers reversed FTLD functional deficits, opening up potential opportunities for future therapeutics development.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Progranulin regulates neuron and immune functions and is implicated in aging. Loss of one functional allele causes haploinsufficiency and leads to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), the second leading cause of dementia. Progranulin gene polymorphisms are linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and complete loss of function causes neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Despite the critical role of progranulin levels in neurodegenerative disease risk, almost nothing is known about their regulation. We performed an unbiased screen and identified specific pathways controlling progranulin levels in neurons. Modulation of these pathways restored levels in progranulin-deficient neurons and reversed FTLD phenotypes. We provide a new comprehensive understanding of the genetic regulation of progranulin levels and identify potential targets to treat FTLD and other neurodegenerative diseases, including AD.

RSK2-Mediated ELK3 Activation Enhances Cell Transformation and Breast Cancer Cell Growth by Regulation of c-fos Promoter Activity

Ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2), regulated by Ras/Raf/MEKs/ERKs, transmits upstream activation signals to downstream substrates including kinases and transcription and epigenetic factors. We observed that ELK members, including ELK1, 3, and 4, highly interacted with RSK2. We further observed that the RSK2-ELK3 interaction was mediated by N-terminal kinase and linker domains of RSK2, and the D and C domains of ELK3, resulting in the phosphorylation of ELK3. Importantly, RSK2-mediated ELK3 enhanced c-fos promoter activity. Notably, chemical inhibition of RSK2 signaling using kaempferol (a RSK2 inhibitor) or U0126 (a selective MEK inhibitor) suppressed EGF-induced c-fos promoter activity. Moreover, functional deletion of RSK2 by knockdown or knockout showed that RSK2 deficiency suppressed EGF-induced c-fos promoter activity, resulting in inhibition of AP-1 transactivation activity and Ras-mediated foci formation in NIH3T3 cells. Immunocytofluorescence assay demonstrated that RSK2 deficiency reduced ELK3 localization in the nucleus. In MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, knockdown of RSK2 or ELK3 suppressed cell proliferation with accumulation at the G1 cell cycle phase, resulting in inhibition of foci formation and anchorage-independent cancer colony growth in soft agar. Taken together, these results indicate that a novel RSK2/ELK3 signaling axis, by enhancing c-Fos-mediated AP-1 transactivation activity, has an essential role in cancer cell proliferation and colony growth.

ELK3 promotes the migration and invasion of liver cancer stem cells by targeting HIF-1α

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common solid cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality. HCC develops via a multistep process associated with genetic aberrations that facilitate HCC invasion and migration and promote metastasis. A growing body of evidence indicates that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for tumorigenesis, cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Despite the extremely small proportion of cancer cells represented by this subpopulation of HCC cells, CSCs play a key role in cancer metastasis and poor prognosis. ELK3 (Net/SAP-2/Erp) is a transcription factor that is activated by the Ras/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. It plays several important roles in various physiological processes, including cell migration, invasion, wound healing, angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. In the present study, we investigated the role of ELK3 in cancer cell invasion and metastasis in CD133+/CD44+ liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs). We isolated LCSCs expressing CD133 and CD44 from Huh7 HCC cells and evaluated their metastatic potential using invasion and migration assays. We found that CD133+/CD44+ cells had increased metastatic potential compared with non-CD133+/CD44+ cells. We also demonstrated that ELK3 expression was upregulated in CD133+/CD44+ cells and that this aberration enhanced cell migration and invasion. In addition, we identified the molecular mechanism by which ELK3 promotes cancer cell migration and invasion. We found that silencing of ELK3 expression in CD133+/CD44+ LCSCs attenuated their metastatic potential by modulating the expression of heat shock-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α). Collectively, the results of the present study demonstrated that ELK3 overexpression promoted metastasis in CD133+/CD44+ cells by regulating HIF-1α expression and that silencing of ELK3 expression attenuated the metastatic potential of CD133+/CD44+ LCSCs. In conclusion, modulation of ELK3 expression may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing HCC metastasis and invasion.

SMC3 may play an important role in atopic asthma development

INTRODUCTION

As a common disease with a complex risk, including genetic and environmental factors, atopic asthma is prevalent but treatable. The aim of the study was to predict the underlying mechanism of asthma and identify target genes for the disease.

METHODS

The affymetrix chip data, GSE18965, were available from Gene Expression Omnibus and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between nine atopic asthmatic specimens and seven healthy nonatopic samples were identified by R. Then Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analyses were performed to these DEGs. Further, search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins (STRING) was used to select protein-protein interaction (PPI) for DEGs, and then the network was visualized by Cytoscape. Finally, transcription factor binding site analysis was conducted to the hot gene.

RESULTS

Total 565 DEGs were identified, including 535 upregulated and 30 downregulated genes. The upregulated genes, such as structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC)3, significantly affected cellular component of extracellular matrix (P = 1.56E-04). Otherwise, DEGs were remarkably enriched in three pathways, including transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway (P = 0.005252649). Further, SMC3 was detected as hot gene in PPI network, and NET (Elk3) was predicted as the significant transcription factor for this gene.

CONCLUSION

SMC3 may play an important role in atopic asthma development; therefore, it has the potential to be the target for the disease. Moreover, our findings provide more knowledge about the mechanism of atopic asthma and help the researchers to explore it in future.

The oncogenic MicroRNA Hsa-miR-155-5p targets the transcription factor ELK3 and links it to the hypoxia response

The molecular response to hypoxia is a critical cellular process implicated in cancer, and a target for drug development. The activity of the major player, HIF1α, is regulated at different levels by various factors, including the transcription factor ELK3. The molecular mechanisms of this intimate connection remain largely unknown. Whilst investigating global ELK3-chromatin interactions, we uncovered an unexpected connection that involves the microRNA hsa-miR-155-5p, a hypoxia-inducible oncomir that targets HIF1α. One of the ELK3 chromatin binding sites, detected by Chromatin Immuno-Precipitation Sequencing (ChIP-seq) of normal Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC), is located at the transcription start site of the MIR155HG genes that expresses hsa-miR-155-5p. We confirmed that ELK3 binds to this promoter by ChIP and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR). We showed that ELK3 and hsa-miR-155-5p form a double-negative regulatory loop, in that ELK3 depletion induced hsa-miR-155-5p expression and hsa-miR-155-5p expression decreased ELK3 expression at the RNA level through a conserved target sequence in its 3'-UTR. We further showed that the activities of hsa-miR-155-5p and ELK3 are functionally linked. Pathway analysis indicates that both factors are implicated in related processes, including cancer and angiogenesis. Hsa-miR-155-5p expression and ELK3 depletion have similar effects on expression of known ELK3 target genes, and on in-vitro angiogenesis and wound closure. Bioinformatic analysis of cancer RNA-seq data shows that hsa-miR-155-5p and ELK3 expression are significantly anti-correlated, as would be expected from hsa-miR-155-5p targeting ELK3 RNA. Finally, hypoxia (0% oxygen) down-regulates ELK3 mRNA in a microRNA and hsa-miR-155-5p dependent manner. These results tie ELK3 into the hypoxia response pathway through an oncogenic microRNA and into a circuit implicated in the dynamics of the hypoxic response. This crosstalk could be important for the development of new treatments for a range of pathologies.

Elk-3 is a KLF4-regulated gene that modulates the phagocytosis of bacteria by macrophages

ETS family proteins play a role in immune responses. A unique member of this family, Elk-3, is a transcriptional repressor that regulates the expression of HO-1. Elk-3 is very sensitive to the effects of inflammatory mediators and is down-regulated by bacterial endotoxin (LPS). In the present study, exposure of mouse macrophages to Escherichia coli LPS resulted in decreased, full-length, and splice-variant isoforms of Elk-3. We isolated the Elk-3 promoter and demonstrated that LPS also decreased promoter activity. The Elk-3 promoter contains GC-rich regions that are putative binding sites for zinc-finger transcription factors, such as Sp1 and KLFs. Mutation of the GC-rich region from bp -613 to -603 blunted LPS-induced down-regulation of the Elk-3 promoter. Similar to the LPS response, coexpression of KLF4 led to repression of Elk-3 promoter activity, whereas coexpression of Sp1 increased activity. ChIP assays revealed that KLF4 binding to the Elk-3 promoter was increased by LPS exposure, and Sp1 binding was decreased. Thus, down-regulation of Elk-3 by bacterial LPS is regulated, in part, by the transcriptional repressor KLF4. Overexpression of Elk-3, in the presence of E. coli bacteria, resulted in decreased macrophage phagocytosis. To determine whether limited expression of HO-1 may contribute to this response, we exposed HO-1-deficient bone marrow-derived macrophages to E. coli and found a comparable reduction in bacterial phagocytosis. These data suggest that down-regulation of Elk-3 and the subsequent induction of HO-1 are important for macrophage function during the inflammatory response to infection.

Non-metastatic 2 (NME2)-mediated suppression of lung cancer metastasis involves transcriptional regulation of key cell adhesion factor vinculin

Tumor metastasis refers to spread of a tumor from site of its origin to distant organs and causes majority of cancer deaths. Although >30 metastasis suppressor genes (MSGs) that negatively regulate metastasis have been identified so far, two issues are poorly understood: first, which MSGs oppose metastasis in a tumor type, and second, which molecular function of MSG controls metastasis. Herein, integrative analyses of tumor-transcriptomes (n = 382), survival data (n = 530) and lymph node metastases (n = 100) in lung cancer patients identified non-metastatic 2 (NME2) as a key MSG from a pool of >30 metastasis suppressors. Subsequently, we generated a promoter-wide binding map for NME2 using chromatin immunoprecipitation with promoter microarrays (ChIP-chip), and transcriptome profiling. We discovered novel targets of NME2 which are involved in focal adhesion signaling. Importantly, we detected binding of NME2 in promoter of focal adhesion factor, vinculin. Reduced expression of NME2 led to enhanced transcription of vinculin. In comparison, NME1, a close homolog of NME2, did not bind to vinculin promoter nor regulate its expression. In line, enhanced metastasis of NME2-depleted lung cancer cells was found in zebrafish and nude mice tumor models. The metastatic potential of NME2-depleted cells was remarkably diminished upon selective RNA-i-mediated silencing of vinculin. Together, we demonstrate that reduced NME2 levels lead to transcriptional de-repression of vinculin and regulate lung cancer metastasis.

ELK3 suppresses angiogenesis by inhibiting the transcriptional activity of ETS-1 on MT1-MMP

Ets transcription factors play important roles in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Knockout of the Ets gene family members in mice resulted in disrupted angiogenesis and malformed vascular systems. In this study, the role and mechanism of ELK3, an Ets factor, in angiogenesis was investigated using ELK3-specific siRNA in human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and in vivo implantation assay. The suppression of ELK3 expression resulted in the reinforcement of VEGF-induced tube formation in HUVECs. The in vivo Matrigel plug assay also showed that ELK3 knockdown resulted in increased angiogenesis. Luciferase activity of the MT1-MMP promoter induced by ETS-1 factor was attenuated ELK3 co-transfection. CHIP assay showed the binding of ELK3 on the MT1-MMP promoter. MT1-MMP knockdown in the ELK3 knockdowned cells resulted in the decrease of tube formation suggesting that MT1-MMP transcriptional repression is required for ELK3-mediated anti-angiogenesis effect. Our data also showed that the suppressive effect of ELK3 on the angiogenesis was partly due to the inhibitory effect of ELK3 to the ETS-1 transcriptional activity on the MT1-MMP promoter rather than direct suppression of ELK3 on the target gene, since the expression level of co-repressor Sin3A is low in endothelial cells. Our results suggest that ELK3 plays a negative role of VEGF-induced angiogenesis through indirectly inhibiting ETS-1 function.

Crosstalk between Mdm2, p53 and HIF1-α: distinct responses to oxygen stress and implications for tumour hypoxia

The E3 ubiquitin ligase Mdm2 regulates two transcription factors, p53 and HIF1α, which appear to be tailored towards different and specific roles within the cell, the DNA damage and hypoxia responses, respectively. However, evidence increasingly points towards the interplay between these factors being crucial for the regulation of cellular metabolism and survival in times of oxygen stress, which has particular relevance for tumour formation. Mdm2, p53 and HIF1α all respond to hypoxia, and intriguingly, have distinct roles depending on the level of hypoxia. The data from numerous studies across different conditions hint at the interplay between these key factors in cellular homeostasis. Here we try to weave these strands together, to create a picture of the complex tapestry of interactions that demonstrates the importance of the crosstalk between these key regulatory proteins during hypoxia.

Endothelial SRF/MRTF ablation causes vascular disease phenotypes in murine retinae

Retinal vessel homeostasis ensures normal ocular functions. Consequently, retinal hypovascularization and neovascularization, causing a lack and an excess of vessels, respectively, are hallmarks of human retinal pathology. We provide evidence that EC-specific genetic ablation of either the transcription factor SRF or its cofactors MRTF-A and MRTF-B, but not the SRF cofactors ELK1 or ELK4, cause retinal hypovascularization in the postnatal mouse eye. Inducible, EC-specific deficiency of SRF or MRTF-A/MRTF-B during postnatal angiogenesis impaired endothelial tip cell filopodia protrusion, resulting in incomplete formation of the retinal primary vascular plexus, absence of the deep plexi, and persistence of hyaloid vessels. All of these features are typical of human hypovascularization-related vitreoretinopathies, such as familial exudative vitreoretinopathies including Norrie disease. In contrast, conditional EC deletion of Srf in adult murine vessels elicited intraretinal neovascularization that was reminiscent of the age-related human pathologies retinal angiomatous proliferation and macular telangiectasia. These results indicate that angiogenic homeostasis is ensured by differential stage-specific functions of SRF target gene products in the developing versus the mature retinal vasculature and suggest that the actin-directed MRTF-SRF signaling axis could serve as a therapeutic target in the treatment of human vascular retinal diseases.

Net expression inhibits the growth of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell PL45 in vitro and in vivo

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and a lack of effective therapeutic options. Thus, it is important to better understand its molecular mechanisms and to develop more effective treatments for the disease. The ternary complex factor Net, which exerts its strong inhibitory function on transcription of proto-oncogene gene c-fos by forming ternary complexes with a second transcription factor, has been suspected of being involved in pancreatic cancer and other tumors biology. In this study, we found that the majority of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissues and cell lines had weak or no expression of Net, whereas significantly high level of Net expression occurred in paired adjacent normal tissues we studied. Furthermore, using in vitro and in vivo model systems, we found that overexpression of Net inhibited cell growth and survival and induced cell apoptosis in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell PL45; the mechanisms by which Net inhibited the cell cycle progression were mainly through P21-Cyclin D1/CDK4 Pathway. Our data thus suggested that Net might play an important role in pancreatic carcinogenesis, possibly by acting as a tumor suppressor gene.

Vascular normalization by loss of Siah2 results in increased chemotherapeutic efficacy

Tumor hypoxia is associated with resistance to antiangiogenic therapy and poor prognosis. The Siah E3 ubiquitin ligases regulate the hypoxic response pathway by modulating the turnover of the master proangiogenic transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (Hif-1α). In this study, we show that genetic deficiency in the Siah family member Siah2 results in vascular normalization and delayed tumor growth in an established transgenic model of aggressive breast cancer. Tumors arising in a Siah2(-/-) genetic background showed increased perfusion and pericyte-associated vasculature, similar to that occurring with antiangiogenic therapy. In support of the role of Siah2 in regulating levels of Hif-1α, expression of angiogenic factors was decreased in Siah2(-/-) tumors. Blood vessel normalization in Siah2(-/-) tumors resulted in an increased response to chemotherapy and prolonged survival. Together, our findings offer a preclinical proof of concept that targeting Siah2 is sufficient to attenuate Hif-1α-mediated angiogenesis and hypoxia signaling, thereby improving responses to chemotherapy.

Involvement of net and Hif1alpha in distinct yet intricately linked hypoxia-induced signaling pathways

The present study compares negative Ets transcription factor (Net) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF1alpha) regulation by hypoxia. Their protein stabilities are differently regulated by hypoxia, defining three periods in the kinetics: normoxia (high Net levels and low HIF1alpha levels), early hypoxia (high levels of Net and HIF1alpha), and late hypoxia (degradation of Net and HIF1alpha). Modulators of prolyl hydroxylase domain protein (PHD) activity induce a mobility shift of Net, similar to HIF1alpha, suggesting that post-translational modifications of both factors depend on PHD activity. The three PHDs have different roles in the regulation of Net protein levels; PHD1 and PHD3 are involved in the stabilization of Net, whereas PHD2 controls its degradation in late hypoxia. Net physically interacts with PHD2 in hypoxia, whereas PHD1 and PHD3 bind to Net in normoxia and hypoxia. Under the same conditions, PHD2 and PHD3 regulate both HIF1alpha stabilization in early hypoxia and its degradation at late hypoxia, whereas PHD1 is involved in HIF1alpha degradation in late hypoxia. We describe interconnections between the regulation of both Net and HIF1alpha at the protein level. Evidence is provided for a direct physical interaction between Net and HIF1alpha and indirect transcriptional regulation loops that involve the PHDs. Taken together our results indicate that Net and HIF1alpha are components of distinct signaling pathways that are intricately linked.

A review of post-translational modifications and subcellular localization of Ets transcription factors: possible connection with cancer and involvement in the hypoxic response

Post-translational modifications and subcellular localizations modulate transcription factors, generating a code that is deciphered into an activity. We describe our current understanding of these processes for Ets factors, which have recently been recognized for their importance in various biological processes. We present the global picture for the family, and then focus on particular aspects related to cancer and hypoxia. The analysis of Post-translational modification and cellular localization is only beginning to enter the age of "omic," high content, systems biology. Our snap-shots of particularly active fields point to the directions in which new techniques will be needed, in our search for a more complete description of regulatory pathways.

An integrated approach for experimental target identification of hypoxia-induced miR-210

miR-210 is a key player of cell response to hypoxia, modulating cell survival, VEGF-driven endothelial cell migration, and the ability of endothelial cells to form capillary-like structures. A crucial step in understanding microRNA (miRNA) function is the identification of their targets. However, only few miR-210 targets have been identified to date. Here, we describe an integrated strategy for large-scale identification of new miR-210 targets by combining transcriptomics and proteomics with bioinformatic approaches. To experimentally validate candidate targets, the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) loaded with miR-210 was purified by immunoprecipitation along with its mRNA targets. The complex was significantly enriched in mRNAs of 31 candidate targets, such as BDNF, GPD1L, ISCU, NCAM, and the non-coding RNA Xist. A subset of the newly identified targets was further confirmed by 3'-untranslated region (UTR) reporter assays, and hypoxia induced down-modulation of their expression was rescued blocking miR-210, providing support for the approach validity. In the case of 9 targets, such as PTPN1 and P4HB, miR-210 seed-pairing sequences localized in the coding sequence or in the 5'-UTR, in line with recent data extending miRNA targeting beyond the "classic" 3'-UTR recognition. Finally, Gene Ontology analysis of the targets highlights known miR-210 impact on cell cycle regulation and differentiation, and predicts a new role of this miRNA in RNA processing, DNA binding, development, membrane trafficking, and amino acid catabolism. Given the complexity of miRNA actions, we view such a multiprong approach as useful to adequately describe the multiple pathways regulated by miR-210 during physiopathological processes.

Ets1 and Ets2 are required for endothelial cell survival during embryonic angiogenesis

The ras/Raf/Mek/Erk pathway plays a central role in coordinating endothelial cell activities during angiogenesis. Transcription factors Ets1 and Ets2 are targets of ras/Erk signaling pathways that have been implicated in endothelial cell function in vitro, but their precise role in vascular formation and function in vivo remains ill-defined. In this work, mutation of both Ets1 and Ets2 resulted in embryonic lethality at midgestation, with striking defects in vascular branching having been observed. The action of these factors was endothelial cell autonomous as demonstrated using Cre/loxP technology. Analysis of Ets1/Ets2 target genes in isolated embryonic endothelial cells demonstrated down-regulation of Mmp9, Bcl-X(L), and cIAP2 in double mutants versus controls, and chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that both Ets1 and Ets2 were loaded at target promoters. Consistent with these observations, endothelial cell apoptosis was significantly increased both in vivo and in vitro when both Ets1 and Ets2 were mutated. These results establish essential and overlapping functions for Ets1 and Ets2 in coordinating endothelial cell functions with survival during embryonic angiogenesis.

HIF-1alpha-dependent gene expression program during the nucleic acid-triggered antiviral innate immune responses

Recent studies suggest a novel role of HIF-1alpha under non-hypoxic conditions, including antibacterial and antiviral innate immune responses. However, the identity of the pathogen-associated molecular pattern which triggers HIF-1alpha activation during the antiviral response remains to be identified. Here, we demonstrate that cellular administration of double-stranded nucleic acids, the molecular mimics of viral genomes, results in the induction of HIF-1alpha protein level as well as the increase in HIF-1alpha target gene expression. Whole-genome DNA microarray analysis revealed that double-stranded nucleic acid treatment triggers induction of a number of hypoxia-inducible genes, and induction of these genes are compromised upon siRNA-mediated HIF-1alpha knock-down. Interestingly, HIF-1alpha knock-down also resulted in down-regulation of a number of genes involved in antiviral innate immune responses. Our study demonstrates that HIF-1alpha activation upon nucleic acid-triggered antiviral innate immune responses plays an important role in regulation of genes involved in not only hypoxic response, but also immune response.