Cloning and characterization of the human protein kinase C-eta promoter

HBXIP blocks myosin-IIA assembly by phosphorylating and interacting with NMHC-IIA in breast cancer metastasis

Tumor metastasis depends on the dynamic balance of the actomyosin cytoskeleton. As a key component of actomyosin filaments, non-muscle myosin-IIA disassembly contributes to tumor cell spreading and migration. However, its regulatory mechanism in tumor migration and invasion is poorly understood. Here, we found that oncoprotein hepatitis B X-interacting protein (HBXIP) blocked the myosin-IIA assemble state promoting breast cancer cell migration. Mechanistically, mass spectrometry analysis, co-immunoprecipitation assay and GST-pull down assay proved that HBXIP directly interacted with the assembly-competent domain (ACD) of non-muscle heavy chain myosin-IIA (NMHC-IIA). The interaction was enhanced by NMHC-IIA S1916 phosphorylation via HBXIP-recruited protein kinase PKCβII. Moreover, HBXIP induced the transcription of PRKCB, encoding PKCβII, by coactivating Sp1, and triggered PKCβII kinase activity. Interestingly, RNA sequencing and mouse metastasis model indicated that the anti-hyperlipidemic drug bezafibrate (BZF) suppressed breast cancer metastasis via inhibiting PKCβII-mediated NMHC-IIA phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo. We reveal a novel mechanism by which HBXIP promotes myosin-IIA disassembly via interacting and phosphorylating NMHC-IIA, and BZF can serve as an effective anti-metastatic drug in breast cancer.

The Enigmatic Protein Kinase C-eta

Protein kinase C (PKC), a multi-gene family, plays critical roles in signal transduction and cell regulation. Protein kinase C-eta (PKCη) is a unique member of the PKC family since its regulation is distinct from other PKC isozymes. PKCη was shown to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation and cell death. It was also shown to contribute to chemoresistance in several cancers. PKCη has been associated with several cancers, including renal cell carcinoma, glioblastoma, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and acute myeloid leukemia. However, mice lacking PKCη were more susceptible to tumor formation in a two-stage carcinogenesis model, and it is downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, the role of PKCη in cancer remains controversial. The purpose of this review article is to discuss how PKCη regulates various cellular processes that may contribute to its contrasting roles in cancer.

YAP/TAZ regulates TGF-β/Smad3 signaling by induction of Smad7 via AP-1 in human skin dermal fibroblasts

Background

Transcription factors YAP and TAZ function as the primary mediators of the Hippo pathway. Yet, crosstalk of YAP and TAZ with other signaling pathways remains relatively unexplored. We have explored the impact of YAP and TAZ levels on the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in human skin dermal fibroblasts.

Methods

YAP and TAZ levels in dermal fibroblasts were reduced in dermal fibroblasts by siRNA-mediated knockdown. The effects of YAP and TAZ reduction on TGF-β/Smad signaling were examined by quantitative real-time PCR, Western analysis, and immunostaining. Luciferase reporter assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were conducted to investigate the transcription factor DNA-binding and transcriptional activities.

Results

Knockdown of both YAP and TAZ (YAP/TAZ), but not either separately, impaired TGF-β1-induced Smad3 phosphorylation and Smad3 transcriptional activity, thereby inhibiting the expression of TGF-β target genes. This reduction by reduced levels of YAP/TAZ results from induction of inhibitory Smad7, which inhibits Smad3 phosphorylation and activity by TGF-β1. Conversely, prevention of Smad7 induction restores Smad3 phosphorylation and Smad3 transcriptional activity in fibroblasts that have reduced YAP/TAZ. In agreement with these findings, inhibition of YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity, similar to the reduction of YAP/TAZ levels, also significantly induced Smad7 and impaired TGF-β/Smad signaling. Further investigations revealed that reduced levels of YAP/TAZ led to induction of activator protein-1 (AP-1) activity, Activated AP-1 bound to DNA sequences in the Smad7 gene promoter, and deletion of these AP-1 binding sequences substantially reduced Smad7 promoter reporter activity.

Conclusion

YAP/TAZ functions in concert with transcription factor AP-1 and Smad7 to regulate TGF-β signaling, in human dermal fibroblasts. Reduction of YAP/TAZ levels leads to activation of AP-1 activity, which induces Smad7. Smad7 suppresses the TGF-β pathway.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-018-0232-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Oxidative exposure impairs TGF-β pathway via reduction of type II receptor and SMAD3 in human skin fibroblasts

Exposure to oxidants results in cellular alterations that are implicated in aging and age-associated diseases. Here, we report that brief, low-level oxidative exposure leads to long-term elevation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and oxidative damage in human skin fibroblasts. Elevated ROS impairs the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway, through reduction of type II TGF-β receptor (TβRII) and SMAD3 protein levels. This impairment results in reduced expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) and type I collagen, which are regulated by TGF-β. Restoration of TβRII and SMAD3 together, but not separately, reinstates TGF-β signaling and increases CTGF/CCN2 and type I collagen levels. Treatment with the anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine reduces ROS elevation and normalizes TGF-β signaling and target gene expression. These data reveal a novel linkage between limited oxidant exposure and altered cellular redox homeostasis that results in impairment of TGF-β signaling. This linkage provides new insights regarding the mechanism by which aberrant redox homeostasis is coupled to decline of collagen production, a hallmark of human skin aging.

The unique protein kinase Cη: implications for breast cancer (review)

Deregulation of key signal transduction pathways that govern important cellular processes leads to cancer. The development of effective therapeutics for cancer warrants a comprehensive understanding of the signaling pathways that are deregulated in cancer. The protein kinase C (PKC) family has served as an attractive target for cancer therapy for decades owing to its crucial roles in several cellular processes. PKCη is a novel member of the PKC family that plays critical roles in various cellular processes such as growth, proliferation, differentiation and cell death. The regulation of PKCη appears to be unique compared to other PKC isozymes, and there are conflicting reports regarding its role in cancer. This review focuses on the unique aspects of PKCη in terms of its structure, regulation and subcellular distribution and speculates on how these features could account for its distinct functions. We have also discussed the functional implications of PKCη in cancer with particular emphasis on breast cancer.

Involvement of distinct PKC gene products in T cell functions

It is well established that members of the protein kinase C (PKC) family seem to have important roles in T cells. Focusing on the physiological and non-redundant PKC functions established in primary mouse T cells via germline gene-targeting approaches, our current knowledge defines two particularly critical PKC gene products, PKCθ and PKCα, as the "flavor of PKC" in T cells that appear to have a positive role in signaling pathways that are necessary for full antigen receptor-mediated T cell activation ex vivo and T cell-mediated immunity in vivo. Consistently, in spite of the current dogma that PKCθ inhibition might be sufficient to achieve complete immunosuppressive effects, more recent results have indicated that the pharmacological inhibition of PKCθ, and additionally, at least PKCα, appears to be needed to provide a successful approach for the prevention of allograft rejection and treatment of autoimmune diseases.

The role of PRKCH gene variants in coronary artery disease in a Chinese population

The aim of the present study was to assess the influences of PRKCH gene variants (1425G/A and _15) on the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a Chinese population. Our study population consisted of 470 CAD patients and 434 control subjects. The alleles frequencies of the two variants were significantly higher among CAD patients than control subjects (P = 0.001 for 1425G/A and P = 0.001 for _15, respectively). In the CAD group, the A allele carriers of 1425G/A and _15 polymorphisms had higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels than homozygote G allele carriers (P = 0.001 and P = 0.021, respectively). In a multiple logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), etc., a markedly increased risk of developing CAD was found in subjects carrying GA or AA genotype (P = 0.005 and P = 0.018, respectively). In conclusion, we observed that there was a remarkable association of minor alleles (1425G/A and _15) in the PRKCH gene with an elevated risk of CAD and increased levels of LDL-C in this Chinese population.

Transcriptional regulation of pro-apoptotic protein kinase Cdelta: implications for oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death

We previously demonstrated that protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ; PKC delta) is an oxidative stress-sensitive kinase that plays a causal role in apoptotic cell death in neuronal cells. Although PKCδ activation has been extensively studied, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms controlling PKCδ expression. To characterize the regulation of PKCδ expression, we cloned an ∼2-kbp 5'-promoter segment of the mouse Prkcd gene. Deletion analysis indicated that the noncoding exon 1 region contained multiple Sp sites, including four GC boxes and one CACCC box, which directed the highest levels of transcription in neuronal cells. In addition, an upstream regulatory region containing adjacent repressive and anti-repressive elements with opposing regulatory activities was identified within the region -712 to -560. Detailed mutagenesis studies revealed that each Sp site made a positive contribution to PKCδ promoter expression. Overexpression of Sp family proteins markedly stimulated PKCδ promoter activity without any synergistic transactivating effect. Furthermore, experiments in Sp-deficient SL2 cells indicated long isoform Sp3 as the essential activator of PKCδ transcription. Importantly, both PKCδ promoter activity and endogenous PKCδ expression in NIE115 cells and primary striatal cultures were inhibited by mithramycin A. The results from chromatin immunoprecipitation and gel shift assays further confirmed the functional binding of Sp proteins to the PKCδ promoter. Additionally, we demonstrated that overexpression of p300 or CREB-binding protein increases the PKCδ promoter activity. This stimulatory effect requires intact Sp-binding sites and is independent of p300 histone acetyltransferase activity. Finally, modulation of Sp transcriptional activity or protein level profoundly altered the cell death induced by oxidative insult, demonstrating the functional significance of Sp-dependent PKCδ gene expression. Collectively, our findings may have implications for development of new translational strategies against oxidative damage.

Translational control of protein kinase Ceta by two upstream open reading frames

Protein kinase C (PKC) represents a family of serine/threonine kinases that play a central role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and transformation. Posttranslational control of the PKC isoforms and their activation have been extensively studied; however, not much is known about their translational regulation. Here we report that the expression of one of the PKC isoforms, PKCeta, is regulated at the translational level both under normal growth conditions and during stress imposed by amino acid starvation, the latter causing a marked increase in its protein levels. The 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of PKCeta is unusually long and GC rich, characteristic of many oncogenes and growth regulatory genes. We have identified two conserved upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in its 5' UTR and show their effect in suppressing the expression of PKCeta in MCF-7 growing cells. While the two uORFs function as repressive elements that maintain low basal levels of PKCeta in growing cells, they are required for its enhanced expression upon amino acid starvation. We show that the translational regulation during stress involves leaky scanning and is dependent on eIF-2alpha phosphorylation by GCN2. Our work further suggests that translational regulation could provide an additional level for controlling the expression of PKC family members, being more common than currently recognized.

Reduced expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) mediates collagen loss in chronologically aged human skin

Reduced production of type I procollagen is a prominent feature of chronologically aged human skin. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2), a downstream target of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)/Smad pathway, is highly expressed in numerous fibrotic disorders, in which it is believed to stimulate excessive collagen production. CTGF is constitutively expressed in normal human dermis in vivo, suggesting that CTGF is a physiological regulator of collagen expression. We report here that the TGF-beta/Smad/CTGF axis is significantly reduced in dermal fibroblasts, the major collagen-producing cells, in aged (> or = 80 years) human skin in vivo. In primary human skin fibroblasts, neutralization of endogenous TGF-beta or knockdown of CTGF substantially reduced the expression of type I procollagen mRNA, protein, and promoter activity. In contrast, overexpression of CTGF stimulated type I procollagen expression, and increased promoter activity. Inhibition of TGF-beta receptor kinase, knockdown of Smad4, or overexpression of inhibitory Smad7 abolished CTGF stimulation of type I procollagen expression. However, CTGF did not stimulate Smad3 phosphorylation or Smad3-dependent transcriptional activity. These data indicate that in human skin fibroblasts, type I procollagen expression is dependent on endogenous production of both TGF-beta and CTGF, which act through interdependent yet distinct mechanisms. Downregulation of the TGF-beta/Smad/CTGF axis likely mediates reduced type I procollagen expression in aged human skin in vivo.

ICF, an immunodeficiency syndrome: DNA methyltransferase 3B involvement, chromosome anomalies, and gene dysregulation

The immunodeficiency, centromeric region instability, and facial anomalies syndrome (ICF) is the only disease known to result from a mutated DNA methyltransferase gene, namely, DNMT3B. Characteristic of this recessive disease are decreases in serum immunoglobulins despite the presence of B cells and, in the juxtacentromeric heterochromatin of chromosomes 1 and 16, chromatin decondensation, distinctive rearrangements, and satellite DNA hypomethylation. Although DNMT3B is involved in specific associations with histone deacetylases, HP1, other DNMTs, chromatin remodelling proteins, condensin, and other nuclear proteins, it is probably the partial loss of catalytic activity that is responsible for the disease. In microarray experiments and real-time RT-PCR assays, we observed significant differences in RNA levels from ICF vs. control lymphoblasts for pro- and anti-apoptotic genes (BCL2L10, CASP1, and PTPN13); nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, NF-kappaB, and TNFalpha signalling pathway genes (PRKCH, GUCY1A3, GUCY1B3, MAPK13; HMOX1, and MAP4K4); and transcription control genes (NR2F2 and SMARCA2). This gene dysregulation could contribute to the immunodeficiency and other symptoms of ICF and might result from the limited losses of DNA methylation although ICF-related promoter hypomethylation was not observed for six of the above examined genes. We propose that hypomethylation of satellite 2 at 1qh and 16qh might provoke this dysregulation gene expression by trans effects from altered sequestration of transcription factors, changes in nuclear architecture, or expression of noncoding RNAs.

Cloning and expression analysis of a protein kinase C gene, PKCmu, and its regulation of the promoter region in zebrafish

The cDNA and genomic DNA of zebrafish (Danio rerio) protein kinase Cmu (PKCmu), with its promoter region, were obtained. The 508-amino acid zebrafish PKCmu has 86.17% similarity to human PKCmu. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis with starvation and hormonal treatment found significant differences between the control group and the experimental group after 14 days of starvation. After injecting insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II), growth hormone (GH), insulin, or human chorionic gonadotropin, significant differences were observed between the control and experimental groups 24 h after treatment. After injecting the gonadotropin-releasing hormone or luteotropin-releasing hormone, significant differences were seen between the control and experimental groups 15 h after treatment. These results suggest that in vivo PKCmu expression is regulated by the insulin family or by the GH, but other sex hormones produced a significant expression level more quickly than the insulin family and GH. The zebrafish PKCmu gene is located on zebrafish chromosome 17 and consists of 16 exons. A 2.6 kilobase pair on the 5' flanking region displayed maximal promoter activity in the zebrafish liver (ZFL) cell line after treatment with IGF-I, IGF-II, and GH. However, a 1.6 kilobase pair on the 5' flanking region displayed maximal promoter activity in the HeLa cell line after treatment with IGF-I, IGF-II, and GH. Finally, PKCmu may have important nuclear effects on cell growth and may involve nuclear localization. By transiently transfecting ZFL cells with various zebrafish PKCmu segments, we identified a nuclear localization signal: the amino acid sequence between amino acids 206 and 209 was able to predominantly direct enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) into the nucleus, whereas a deletion of this motif abrogated the nuclear localization property.

Differential regulation of the rat heme oxygenase-1 expression by Ets oncoproteins in glomerular mesangial cells

The Ets-1 oncoprotein and the heme-catabolizing enzyme heme oxygenase (HO)-1 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of renal disease. We investigated the role of the putative Ets-binding sites (EBSs) in the transactivation of the proximal promoter of rat heme oxygenase 1 (hmox1) gene by the Ets oncoproteins Fli-1, Erg-2, and Ets-1 in mesangial cells. We examined several rat hmox1-chloramphenicol acetytransferase (CAT) constructs and EBS mutant constructs in an effort to assess the effect of ETS oncoproteins on transactivation of the rat hmox1 proximal promoter in renal glomerular mesangial cells. CAT assays demonstrated that the proximal promoter region (-1387 to -40) contains positive and negative regulatory regions and that the EBS-2, 3, and 4 play a role in basal promoter activity. Overexpression of Fli-1 and Erg-2 proteins showed a significant increase in promoter activity, whereas Ets-1 showed no effect on promoter activity. The Fli-1-induced transcriptional activation was not altered by mutation of EBSs, either independently or in combination. However, mutation of EBS-4 independently or a combined mutation of sites 3 and 4 led to a 50% reduction in Erg-2-induced transcriptional activation. Furthermore, mutation of EBS-2 and 4 completely abolished Erg-2-mediated promoter activation. Our results support a role for Ets transcription factors in the regulation of rat hmox-1 gene expression in mesangial cells.

Solar ultraviolet irradiation reduces collagen in photoaged human skin by blocking transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor/Smad signaling

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation from the sun reduces production of type I procollagen (COLI), the major structural protein in human skin. This reduction is a key feature of the pathophysiology of premature skin aging (photoaging). Photoaging is the most common form of skin damage and is associated with skin carcinoma. TGF-beta/Smad pathway is the major regulator of type I procollagen synthesis in human skin. We have previously reported that UV irradiation impairs transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)/Smad signaling in mink lung epithelial cells. We have investigated the mechanism of UV irradiation impairment of the TGF-beta/Smad pathway and the impact of this impairment on type I procollagen production in human skin fibroblasts, the major collagen-producing cells in skin. We report here that UV irradiation impairs TGF-beta/Smad pathway in human skin by down-regulation of TGF-beta type II receptor (TbetaRII). This loss of TbetaRII occurs within 8 hours after UV irradiation and precedes down-regulation of type I procollagen expression in human skin in vivo. In human skin fibroblasts, UV-induced TbetaRII down-regulation is mediated by transcriptional repression and results in 90% reduction of specific, cell-surface binding of TGF-beta. This loss of TbetaRII prevents downstream activation of Smad2/3 by TGF-beta, thereby reducing expression of type I procollagen. Preventing loss of TbetaRII by overexpression protects against UV inhibition of type I procollagen gene expression in human skin fibroblasts. UV-induced down-regulation of TbetaRII, with attendant reduction of type I procollagen production, is a critical molecular mechanism in the pathophysiology of photoaging.

Bcr-Abl regulates protein kinase Ciota (PKCiota) transcription via an Elk1 site in the PKCiota promoter

The protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases plays an important role in numerous cancer signaling pathways, including those downstream of the bcr-abl oncogene. We demonstrated previously that atypical PKCiota is required for Bcr-Abl-mediated resistance of human K562 chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells to Taxol-induced apoptosis. Here, we report that the pattern of PKC isozyme expression characteristic of CML cells is regulated by Bcr-Abl. When Bcr-Abl was expressed in Bcr-Abl-negative HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells, expression of the PKCbetaI, PKCbetaII, and PKCiota genes was induced, whereas expression of the PKCdelta gene was reduced to levels similar to those found in CML cells. Given the importance of PKCiota in Bcr-Abl-mediated transformation, we characterized the mechanism by which Bcr-Abl regulates PKCiota expression. A 1200-bp PKCiota promoter construct isolated from genomic DNA was highly active in Bcr-Abl-positive K562 cells and was activated when Bcr-Abl-negative cells were transfected with Bcr-Abl. Bcr-Abl-mediated induction of the PKCiota promoter was dependent upon MEK1/2 activity, but not phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or p38 MAPK activity. Mutational analysis of the PKCiota promoter revealed a region between 97 and 114 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site that is responsible for Bcr-Abl-mediated regulation. Mutation of a consensus Elk1-binding site within this region abolished Bcr-Abl-mediated regulation. We conclude that Bcr-Abl regulates PKCiota expression through the MEK-dependent activation of an Elk1 element within the proximal PKCiota promoter. Our results indicate that Bcr-Abl-mediated transformation involves transcriptional activation of the PKCiota gene, which in turn is required for Bcr-Abl-mediated chemoresistance.

Reciprocal regulation of expression of the human adenosine 5'-triphosphate binding cassette, sub-family A, transporter 2 (ABCA2) promoter by the early growth response-1 (EGR-1) and Sp-family transcription factors

The human ABCA2 transporter gene encodes a member of a large family of ATP-binding proteins that transport a variety of macromolecules across biological membranes. We have performed luciferase reporter gene assays with promoter constructs comprising the 5'-flanking region to identify cis-regulatory DNA elements and have mapped the minimal promoter region to 321 bp upstream of the translation start site. We have discovered a functional role for two GC-boxes located in the proximal promoter of the ABCA2 gene that contain overlapping sites for the EGR-1 and Sp1 transcription factors. We observed that oligonucleotides containing overlapping EGR-1/Sp1 sites bind the Sp1, Sp3 and Sp4 transcription factors. When BE(2)-M17 cells were treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, we observed inducible expression and binding of the EGR-1 transcription factor to the two GC-boxes. Transfection of Sp1, Sp3 or Sp4 expression constructs into Drosophila S2 induced a dose-dependent increase in transcriptional activation of the ABCA2 promoter, but transfection of EGR-1 alone failed to activate transcription. When increasing amounts of EGR-1 were transfected into the BE(2)-M17 neuroblastoma cells we observed a dose-dependent decrease in expression of the ABCA2 promoter, although expression of the endogenous ABCA2 gene increased following transfection of EGR-1.

Modulation of the human protein kinase C alpha gene promoter by activator protein-2

Protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha) is a phospholipid-dependent protein-serine/threonine kinase that plays a major role in intracellular signaling pathways associated with transformation and tumor progression. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and GBM cell lines exhibit increased levels of PKCalpha compared to normal brain tissue that relates to their proliferative and invasive potential. To investigate the transcriptional regulation of PKCalpha, the 5'-flanking sequence of the human PKCalpha gene was cloned and its promoter activity assessed in U-87 GBM cells. This sequence contained a TATA-less promoter region and a single transcription start site within an initiator sequence. Basal promoter activity was restricted to a region spanning -227 to +77 relative to the transcription start site. DNase I footprinting revealed multiple activator protein-2 (AP-2) binding sites and one Sp1 binding site within this region, and point mutations of two AP-2 elements resulted in a loss of DNA binding and transcriptional activation. Overexpression of Sp1 in either U-87 or insect cells increased transcription from the -227/+77 promoter region, whereas overexpression of AP-2 increased transcription only in insect cells. Cis activation of the promoter in U-87 cells was increased by phorbol esters but not by cyclic AMP or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors. These results provide evidence that cis activation of the basal promoter of the human PKCalpha gene occurs through an AP-2-dependent, phorbol ester-responsive pathway, which suggests an autoregulatory manner of transcription in GBM.

JFC1 is transcriptionally activated by nuclear factor-kappaB and up-regulated by tumour necrosis factor alpha in prostate carcinoma cells

The human promoter region of JFC1, a phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate binding ATPase, was isolated by amplification of a 549 bp region upstream of the jfc1 gene by the use of a double-PCR system. By primer extension analysis we mapped the transcription initiation site at nucleotide -321 relative to the translation start site. Putative regulatory elements were identified in the jfc1 TATA-less promoter, including three consensus sites for nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). We analysed the three putative NF-kappaB binding sites by gel retardation and supershift assays. Each of the putative NF-kappaB sites interacted specifically with recombinant NF-kappaB p50, and the complexes co-migrated with those formed by the NF-kappaB consensus sequence and p50. An antibody to p50 generated a supershifted complex for these NF-kappaB sites. These sites formed specific complexes with nuclear proteins from tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-treated WEHI 231 cells, which were supershifted with antibodies against p50 and p65. The jfc1 promoter was transcriptionally active in various cell lines, as determined by luciferase reporter assays following transfection with a jfc1 promoter luciferase vector. Co-transfection with NF-kappaB expression vectors or stimulation with TNFalpha resulted in significant transactivation of the jfc1 promoter construct, although transactivation of a mutated jfc1 promoter was negligible. The expression of a dominant negative IkappaB (inhibitor kappaB) decreased basal jfc1 promoter activity. The cell lines PC-3, LNCaP and DU-145, but not Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes, showed a dramatic increase in the expression of JFC1 after treatment with TNFalpha, suggesting that transcriptional activation of JFC1 by the TNFalpha/NF-kappaB pathway is significant in prostate carcinoma cell lines.

Contributions of mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B to N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells

The synthetic retinoid N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR) has been shown to induce apoptosis in various types of tumors, including prostate cancer. We sought to examine the key mechanisms affecting the resistance to 4-HPR-induced apoptosis in three human prostate cancer cell lines, PC-3, DU145, and LNCaP. Concentrations of more than 40 microM 4-HPR produced apoptosis to almost the same extent in all cell lines; however, only the LNCaP line remained highly sensitive to concentrations less than 10 microM. These differing sensitivities at low concentrations correlated well with the level of constitutive activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) in the individual cell lines. We found that NFkappaB activation inhibited c-jun NH(2)-terminal kinase and caspase 3 activation induced by 4-HPR and that NFkappaB inhibition by the I kappa B alpha phosphorylation inhibitor compound Bay 117082 resulted in increasing sensitization of both PC-3 and DU145 lines to apoptosis induced by 4-HPR at low concentrations. Furthermore, we found that inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) enhanced the suppression of NFkappaB by 4-HPR and also resulted in sensitization to apoptosis in the DU145 cell line, in which ERK is activated constitutively. It thus appears that mitogen-activated protein kinase associated with the activity of NFkappaB plays an important role in the degree of resistance to 4-HPR-induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells.

Ultraviolet irradiation alters transforming growth factor beta/smad pathway in human skin in vivo

Solar ultraviolet irradiation damages human skin and causes premature skin aging and skin cancer. As transforming growth factor beta plays an important role in regulating cell growth and extracellular matrix synthesis, we investigated expression of transforming growth factor beta isoforms, transforming growth factor beta receptors, and transforming growth factor beta regulated Smad transcription factors following irradiation with an ultraviolet B source and solar-simulated ultraviolet irradiation of human skin in vivo. Full-thickness, sun-protected adult human skin expressed transforming growth factor beta1, beta2, and beta3 transcripts in a ratio of 1:5:3, as determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Northern analysis demonstrated that the ultraviolet irradiation (2 minimal erythema dose) caused moderate (2-3-fold) gradual increases of transforming growth factor beta1 and beta3 mRNA expression during 3 d post exposure. In contrast, expression of transforming growth factor beta2 mRNA, the predominant form of transforming growth factor beta in human skin, decreased within 4 h after ultraviolet irradiation. In situ hybridization revealed transforming growth factor beta1, beta2, and beta3 mRNA expression in cells throughout the epidermis and the dermis in nonirradiated skin. Following ultraviolet or solar-simulated ultraviolet irradiation, transforming growth factor beta1 and beta3 mRNA were increased and transforming growth factor beta2 mRNA was reduced throughout the epidermis and dermis. No significant changes were observed in transforming growth factor beta type I receptor mRNA expression after ultraviolet irradiation. In contrast, transforming growth factor beta type II receptor mRNA expression was reduced 60% within 4 h following ultraviolet exposure in human skin in vivo. Transforming growth factor beta type II receptor mRNA levels remained reduced for 8 h and recovered by 24 h post ultraviolet. In situ hybridization revealed that ultraviolet or solar-simulated ultraviolet irradiation caused loss of transforming growth factor beta type II receptor mRNA in basal and suprabasal cells in the epidermis and dermal cells. In addition, no significant changes were observed in Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 expression after ultraviolet irradiation. In contrast, ultraviolet and solar-simulated ultraviolet irradiation rapidly induced gene expression of Smad7, which antagonizes the actions of the transforming growth factor beta/Smad pathway. Smad7 mRNA induction occurred throughout the epidermis and dermal cells as determined by in situ hybridization. Ultraviolet irradiation also caused reduced DNA binding of Smad3/4 in human skin in vivo. Reduced Smad3/4 DNA binding was observed within 4 h following irradiation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ultraviolet and solar-simulated ultraviolet irradiation alter the transforming growth factor beta/Smad pathway in human skin in vivo. Ultraviolet induction of Smad7 and reduction of transforming growth factor beta2 and transforming growth factor beta type II receptor should diminish transforming growth factor beta signaling, and probably contribute to the decrease of transforming growth factor beta regulated type I and type III procollagen gene expression observed in ultraviolet and solar-simulated ultraviolet irradiated human skin in vivo.

Connective tissue growth factor: expression in human skin in vivo and inhibition by ultraviolet irradiation

Connective tissue growth factor, which is induced by transforming growth factor beta, has been reported to mediate the stimulatory actions of transforming growth factor beta on type I procollagen synthesis. Connective tissue growth factor is expressed in fibrotic disease such as scleroderma, where it is believed to promote abnormal deposition of collagen. Connective tissue growth factor expression has not been described in normal human skin or cultured skin cells, however. We report here that connective tissue growth factor mRNA is constitutively expressed in normal human skin. In situ hybridization demonstrated that connective tissue growth factor mRNA was expressed in keratinocytes throughout the epidermis and in dermal cells. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that the level of connective tissue growth factor mRNA in the epidermis and dermis of normal human skin was comparable to the level of housekeeping gene 36B4. Ultraviolet irradiation (2 minimal erythema dose, UVB/A2 source) reduced connective tissue growth factor mRNA expression throughout the epidermis and dermis in normal human skin in vivo. Connective tissue growth factor mRNA was reduced (30%) within 4 h post ultraviolet irradiation, and remained reduced (50%) 8-24 h post ultraviolet. Connective tissue growth factor mRNA and protein were also constitutively highly expressed in normal cultured human skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Ultraviolet irradiation of cultured normal human skin fibroblasts resulted in a time-dependent inhibition of connective tissue growth factor mRNA expression. At 24 h post ultraviolet, connective tissue growth factor mRNA expression was reduced 80%. Transforming growth factor beta1 rapidly induced connective tissue growth factor mRNA levels (5-fold within 4 h) in skin fibroblasts, but not keratinocytes, and this induction was attenuated 80% by ultraviolet irradiation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that ultraviolet irradiation reduced protein binding to the transforming growth factor beta/Smad responsiveness elements in the connective tissue growth factor gene promoter, in human skin in vivo and human skin fibroblasts. Constitutive expression of connective tissue growth factor in normal human skin suggests that it is a physiologic regulator of procollagen synthesis. Ultraviolet reduction of connective tissue growth factor expression may contribute to reduced procollagen synthesis observed in ultraviolet-irradiated normal human skin and human skin fibroblasts.

Ultraviolet irradiation blocks cellular responses to transforming growth factor-beta by down-regulating its type-II receptor and inducing Smad7

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a multi-functional cytokine that regulates cell growth and differentiation. Cellular responses to TGF-beta are mediated through its cell surface receptor complex, which activates transcription factors Smad2 and Smad3. Here we report that UV irradiation of mink lung epithelial cells causes near complete inhibition of TGF-beta-induced Smad2/3-mediated gene expression. UV irradiation inhibited TGF-beta-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 and subsequent nuclear translocation and DNA binding of Smad2/3. Specific cell surface binding of TGF-beta was substantially reduced after UV irradiation. This loss of TGF-beta binding resulted from UV-induced down-regulation of TGF-beta type II receptor (T beta RII) mRNA and protein. UV irradiation significantly inhibited T beta RII promoter reporter constructs, indicating that UV reduction of T beta RII expression involved transcriptional repression. In contrast to its effects on T beta RII, UV irradiation rapidly induced Smad7 mRNA and protein. Smad7 is known to antagonize activation of Smad2/3 and thereby block TGF-beta-dependent gene expression. UV irradiation stimulated Smad7 promoter reporter constructs, indicating that increased Smad7 expression resulted, at least in part, from increased transcription. Overexpression of Smad7 protein to the level induced by UV irradiation inhibited TGF-beta-induced gene expression 30%. Maintaining T beta RII levels by overexpression of T beta RII prevented UV inhibition of TGF-beta responsiveness. Taken together, these data indicate that UV irradiation blocks cellular responsiveness to TGF-beta through two mechanisms that impair TGF-beta receptor function. The primary mechanism is down-regulation of T beta RII, and the secondary mechanism is induction of Smad7.

Ets target genes: past, present and future

Ets is a family of transcription factors present in species ranging from sponges to human. All family members contain an approximately 85 amino acid DNA binding domain, designated the Ets domain. Ets proteins bind to specific purine-rich DNA sequences with a core motif of GGAA/T, and transcriptionally regulate a number of viral and cellular genes. Thus, Ets proteins are an important family of transcription factors that control the expression of genes that are critical for several biological processes, including cellular proliferation, differentiation, development, transformation, and apoptosis. Here, we tabulate genes that are regulated by Ets factors and describe past, present and future strategies for the identification and validation of Ets target genes. Through definition of authentic target genes, we will begin to understand the mechanisms by which Ets factors control normal and abnormal cellular processes.

A novel locus (DFNA23) for prelingual autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss maps to 14q21-q22 in a Swiss German kindred

DFNA23, a novel locus for autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss, was identified in a Swiss German kindred. DNA samples were obtained from 22 family members in three generations: 10 with hearing impairment caused by the DFNA23 locus, 8 unaffected offspring, and 4 spouses of hearing-impaired pedigree members. In this kindred, the hearing-impaired family members have prelingual bilateral symmetrical hearing loss. All audiograms from hearing-impaired individuals displayed sloping curves, with hearing ability ranging from normal hearing to mild hearing loss in low frequencies, normal hearing to profound hearing loss in mid frequencies, and moderate to profound hearing loss in high frequencies. A conductive component existed for 50% of the hearing-impaired family members. The majority of the hearing-impaired family members did not display progression of hearing loss. The DFNA23 locus maps to 14q21-q22. Linkage analysis was carried out under a fully penetrant autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with no phenocopies. A maximum multipoint LOD score of 5.1 occurred at Marker D14S290. The 3.0-LOD unit support interval is 9.4 cM and ranged from marker D14S980 to marker D14S1046.