Induction of NF-kappa B DNA-binding activity during the G0-to-G1 transition in mouse fibroblasts

An EZH2-NF-κB regulatory axis drives expression of pro-oncogenic gene signatures in triple negative breast cancer

The histone methyltransferase EZH2 has been studied most extensively in the context of PRC2-dependent gene repression. Accumulating evidence indicates non-canonical functions for EZH2 in cancer contexts including promoting paradoxical gene expression through interactions with transcription factors, including NF-κB in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We profile EZH2 and NF-κB factor co-localization and positive gene regulation genome-wide, and define a subset of NF-κB targets and genes associated with oncogenic functions in TNBC that is enriched in patient datasets. We demonstrate interaction between EZH2 and RelA requiring the recently identified transactivation domain (TAD) which mediates EZH2 recruitment to, and activation of certain NF-κB-dependent genes, and supports downstream migration and stemness phenotypes in TNBC cells. Interestingly, EZH2-NF-κB positive regulation of genes and stemness does not require PRC2. This study provides new insight into pro-oncogenic regulatory functions for EZH2 in breast cancer through PRC2-independent, and NF-κB-dependent regulatory mechanisms.

FAIM-S functions as a negative regulator of NF-κB pathway and blocks cell cycle progression in NSCLC cells

Tumorigenesis is closely related to the disorder of the cell cycle. The cell cycle progression includes the interphase (G0/G1, S, and G2 phase) and mitosis (M phase). CCND1 is a key protein that regulates the entry of the G0/G1 phase into the S phase. In our study, we found that the short form of Fas Apoptosis Inhibitory Molecule 1 (FAIM-S) could regulate the expression of CCND1 and had a tumor-suppressing role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Overexpressing FAIM-S significantly inhibited the proliferation and cell cycle progression in NSCLC cells. Further studies demonstrated that FAIM-S could interact with IKK-α, reducing its protein stability. This effect led to the suppression of the NF-κB pathway, resulting in the decreased expression of CCND1. Thus, our study demonstrated that FAIM-S functioned as a negative regulator of the NF-κB pathway and played a tumor-suppressing role through blocking cell cycle progression in NSCLC cells.

IKK/NF-κB signaling contributes to glioblastoma stem cell maintenance

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) carries a poor prognosis and continues to lack effective treatments. Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) drive tumor formation, invasion, and drug resistance and, as such, are the focus of studies to identify new therapies for disease control. Here, we identify the involvement of IKK and NF-κB signaling in the maintenance of GSCs. Inhibition of this pathway impairs self-renewal as analyzed in tumorsphere formation and GBM expansion as analyzed in brain slice culture. Interestingly, both the canonical and non-canonical branches of the NF-κB pathway are shown to contribute to this phenotype. One source of NF-κB activation in GBM involves the TGF-β/TAK1 signaling axis. Together, our results demonstrate a role for the NF-κB pathway in GSCs and provide a mechanistic basis for its potential as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma.

Relevance of HCN2-expressing human mesenchymal stem cells for the generation of biological pacemakers

BACKGROUND

The transfection of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel 2 (HCN2) gene has been demonstrated to provide biological pacing in dogs with complete heart block. The mechanism appears to be the generation of the ion current (If) by the HCN2-expressing hMSCs. However, it is not clear how the transfection process and/or the HCN2 gene affect the growth functions of the hMSCs. Therefore, we investigated survival, proliferation, cell cycle, and growth on a Kapton® scaffold of HCN2-expressing hMSCs.

METHODS

hMSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of healthy volunteers applying a selective cell adhesion procedure and were identified by their expression of specific surface markers. Cells from passages 2-3 were transfected by electroporation using commercial transfection kits and a pIRES2-EGFP vector carrying the pacemaker gene, mouse HCN2 (mHCN2). Transfection efficiency was confirmed by enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fluorescence, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After hMSCs were transfected, their viability, proliferation, If generation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and expression of transcription factors were measured and compared with non-transfected cells and cells transfected with pIRES2-EGFP vector alone.

RESULTS

Intracellular mHCN2 expression after transfection increased from 22.14 to 62.66 ng/mg protein (p < 0.05). Transfection efficiency was 45 ± 5 %. The viability of mHCN2-transfected cells was 82 ± 5 %; they grew stably for more than 3 weeks and induced If current. mHCN2-transfected cells had low mitotic activity (10.4 ± 1.24 % in G2/M and 83.6 ± 2.5 % in G1 phases) as compared with non-transfected cells (52-53 % in G2/M and 31-35 % in G1 phases). Transfected cells showed increased activation of nine cell cycle-regulating transcription factors: the most prominent upregulation was of AMP-dependent transcription factor ATF3 (7.11-fold, p = 0.00056) which regulates the G1 phase. mHCN2-expressing hMSCs were attached and made anchorage-dependent connection with other cells without transmigration through a 12.7-μm thick Kapton® HN film with micromachined 1-3 μm diameter pores.

CONCLUSIONS

mHCN2-expressing hMSCs preserved the major cell functions required for the generation of biological pacemakers: high viability, functional activity, but low proliferation rate through the arrest of cell cycle in the G1 phase. mHCN2-expressing hMSCs attached and grew on a Kapton® scaffold without transmigration, confirming the relevance of these cells for the generation of biological pacemakers.

Beyond NF-κB activation: nuclear functions of IκB kinase α

IκB kinase (IKK) complex, the master kinase for NF-κB activation, contains two kinase subunits, IKKα and IKKβ. In addition to mediating NF-κB signaling by phosphorylating IκB proteins during inflammatory and immune responses, the activation of the IKK complex also responds to various stimuli to regulate diverse functions independently of NF-κB. Although these two kinases share structural and biochemical similarities, different sub-cellular localization and phosphorylation targets between IKKα and IKKβ account for their distinct physiological and pathological roles. While IKKβ is predominantly cytoplasmic, IKKα has been found to shuttle between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The nuclear-specific roles of IKKα have brought increasing complexity to its biological function. This review highlights major advances in the studies of the nuclear functions of IKKα and the mechanisms of IKKα nuclear translocation. Understanding the nuclear activity is essential for targeting IKKα for therapeutics.

Inhibitor of apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (iASPP) prevents senescence and is required for epithelial stratification

Inhibitor of apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (iASPP) is the most ancient member of the ASPP family of proteins and an evolutionarily conserved inhibitor of p53. iASPP is also a binding partner and negative regulator of p65RelA. Because p65RelA and the p53 family members often have opposite effects in controlling cell fate, it is important to understand the cellular context in which iASPP can regulate their activities. To address this question and to study the biological importance of iASPP in vivo, we generated a transgenic mouse in which iASPP expression is controlled by the Cre/loxP recombination system. We observed that iASPP is able to prevent premature cellular senescence in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. iASPP loss resulted in increased differentiation of primary keratinocytes both in vitro and in vivo. In stratified epithelia, nuclear iASPP often colocalized with p63 in the nuclei of basal keratinocytes. Consistent with this, iASPP bound p63 and inhibited the transcriptional activity of both TAp63α and ΔNp63α in vitro and influenced the expression level of p63-regulated genes such as loricrin and involucrin in vivo. In contrast, under the same conditions, p65RelA was frequently expressed as a cytoplasmic protein in the suprabasal layers of stratified epithelia and rarely colocalized with nuclear iASPP. Thus, iASPP is likely to control epithelial stratification by regulating p63's transcriptional activity, rather than p65RelA's. This study identifies iASPP as an inhibitor of senescence and a key player in controlling epithelial stratification.

A global genomic view on LNX siRNA-mediated cell cycle arrest

LNX protein is the first described PDZ domain-containing member of the RING finger-type E3 ubiquitin ligase family. Studies have approved that LNX could participate in signal transduction, such as Notch pathway, and play an important role in tumorigenesis. In this study, we found that down-regulation of LNX resulted in G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase in HEK293 cells. To explore the molecular mechanism of this phenomenon, we employed expression microarray to comparatively analyze the genome-wide expression between the LNX-knockdown cells and the normal cells. We also used quantitative real-time PCR to further confirm the differential expression patterns of 25 transcripts involved in cell cycle. Combined with known information about genic functions, signal pathways and cell cycle machinery, we analyzed the role of endogenous LNX in cell cycle. The results suggest that down-regulation of LNX could result in cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase through inhibition of β-catenin, MAPK, NFκB, c-Myc-dependent pathway and activation of p53, TGF-β-dependent pathway. This study provides new perspectives on LNX's pleiotropic activities, especially its essential role in cell proliferation and cell cycle.

p65 Negatively regulates transcription of the cyclin E gene

NF-kappaB family members play a pivotal role in many cellular and organismal functions, including the cell cycle. As an activator of cyclin D1 and p21(Waf1) genes, NF-kappaB has been regarded as a critical modulator of cell cycle. To study the involvement of NF-kappaB in G(1)/S phase regulation, the levels of selected transcriptional regulators were monitored following overexpression of NF-kappaB or its physiological induction by tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Cyclin E gene was identified as a major transcriptional target of NF-kappaB. Recruitment of NF-kappaB to the cyclin E promoter was correlated with the transrepression of cyclin E gene. Ligation-mediated PCR and micrococcal nuclease-Southern assays suggested the nucleosomal nature of this region while chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed the exchange of cofactors following tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatment or release from serum starvation. There was a progressive reduction in cyclin E transcription along with the accumulation of catalytically inactive cyclin E-cdk2 complexes and arrest of cells in G(1)/S-phase. Thus, our study clearly establishes NF-kappaB as a negative regulator of cell cycle through transcriptional repression of cyclin E.

Gene therapy that inhibits NF-κB results in apoptosis of human hepatocarcinoma by recombinant adenovirus

AIM: To investigate whether the recombinant adenovirus induces the TNF-α-mediated apoptosis in vivo.

METHODS: Human hepatocarcinoma cell line (HepG₂) cells were transfected into BALB/c nude mice, and the tumor growth curve was drawn. We analyzed apoptosis in HepG₂ cells by TUNEL, HE staining and electron microscopy.

RESULTS: AdIκBαM was expressed stably and efficiently in HepG₂ and could not be degraded by induction of TNF-α. Tumor growth in mice could be reduced remarkably if treated by AdIκBαM plus TNF-α. There was apoptosis of > 70% of cells treated with AdIκBαM plus TNF-α and about 50% of cells treated with AdIκBαM. In contrast, there was few cell apoptosis in HepG₂ cells treated with phosphate buffered saline and AdIκBα. HepG₂ cells in mice also exhibited a high level of apoptosis after in vivo injection with AdIκBαM. The tumor growth curve indicated the tumor transfected with AdIκBαM could be restrained.

CONCLUSION: AdIκBαM gene therapy greatly enhances apoptosis due to inhibition of an NF-κB-mediated antiapoptosis signaling pathway.

Calcium-dependent regulation of the cell cycle via a novel MAPK--NF-kappaB pathway in Swiss 3T3 cells

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) has been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation and transformation. We investigated the role of the serum-induced intracellular calcium increase in the NF-κB–dependent cell cycle progression in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Noninvasive photoactivation of a calcium chelator (Diazo-2) was used to specifically disrupt the transient rise in calcium induced by serum stimulation of starved Swiss 3T3 cells. The serum-induced intracellular calcium peak was essential for subsequent NF-κB activation (measured by real-time imaging of the dynamic p65 and IκBα fluorescent fusion proteins), cyclin D1 (CD1) promoter-directed transcription (measured by real-time luminescence imaging of CD1 promoter-directed firefly luciferase activity), and progression to cell division. We further showed that the serum-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation is calcium dependent. Inhibition of the MAPK- but not the PtdIns3K-dependent pathway inhibited NF-κB signaling, and further, CD1 transcription and cell cycle progression. These data suggest that a serum-dependent calcium signal regulates the cell cycle via a MAPK–NF-κB pathway in Swiss 3T3 cells.

Id-1 expression promotes cell survival through activation of NF-kappaB signalling pathway in prostate cancer cells

The growth-promoting effect of Id-1 (inhibitor of differentiation/DNA binding) has been demonstrated in a number of human cancers. However, the mechanisms responsible for its action are not clear. In this study, we report that in prostate cancer cells, Id-1 promotes cell survival through activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signalling pathway. After stable expression of Id-1 protein in LNCaP cells, we found that the Id-1 transfectants showed increased resistance to apoptosis induced by TNFalpha through inactivation of Bax and caspase 3. In addition, in the LNCaP cells expressing ectopic Id-1 protein, we also observed increased NF-kappaB transactivation activity and nuclear translocation of the p65 and p50 proteins, which was accompanied by upregulation of their downstream effectors Bcl-xL and ICAM-1. These results indicate that the Id-1-induced antiapoptotic effect may be via NF-kappaB signalling transduction pathway in these cells. In addition, inactivation of Id-1 by its antisense oligonucleotide and retroviral construct in DU145 cells resulted in the decrease of nuclear level of p65 and p50 proteins, which was associated with increased sensitivity to TNFalpha-induced apoptosis. Our results strongly suggest that Id-1 may be one of the upstream regulators of NF-kappaB and activation of NF-kappaB signalling pathway may be essential for Id-1 induced cell proliferation through protection against apoptosis. Our findings also suggest a potential therapeutic strategy in which inactivation of Id-1 may lead to sensitization of prostate cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drug-induced apoptosis.

NF-kappaB is constitutively activated in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and squamous cell carcinomas of the human uterine cervix

We demonstrate, for the first time, that the transcription factor NF-kappaB is constitutively activated during human cervical cancer progression. Immunohistochemical analysis was done using 106 paraffin-embedded cervical tissue specimens of different histological grades. In normal cervical tissue and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, p50, RelA and IkappaB-alpha were mainly localized in the cytosol, whereas in high-grade lesions and squamous cell carcinomas, p50-RelA heterodimers translocated into the nucleus with a concurrent decrease in IkappaB-alpha protein. By Western blot analysis, p50 and RelA were detectable mainly in the cytosolic and nuclear extracts in normal and cancer tissues, respectively, and cytosolic IkappaB-alpha expression was detectable in normal but not in cancer cervical tissues. NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity increased during cervical cancer progression and the binding complex was mainly composed of the p50-RelA heterodimers as revealed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis, however, showed increased levels of IkappaB-alpha mRNA in cancer samples presumably because of feedback regulation as a result of enhanced NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity and a consequent functional activation of NF-kappaB. Further immunohistochemical analysis with an antibody to phospho IkappaB-alpha revealed that phosphorylation occurs mainly in squamous intraepithelial lesions, suggesting that the IkappaB-alpha gets phosphorylated initially and degraded as the tumor progressed.

New insights into the role of nuclear factor-kappaB in cell growth regulation

The nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB family of eukaryotic transcription factors plays an important role in the regulation of immune response, embryo and cell lineage development, cell apoptosis, cell-cycle progression, inflammation, and oncogenesis. A wide range of stimuli, including cytokines, mitogens, environmental particles, toxic metals, and viral or bacterial products, activate NF-kappaB, mostly through IkappaB kinase (IKK)-dependent phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of its inhibitor, the IkappaB family of proteins. Activated NF-kappaB translocates into the nucleus where it modulates the expression of a variety of genes, including those encoding cytokines, growth factors, acute phase response proteins, cell adhesion molecules, other transcription factors, and several cell apoptosis regulators. During the past few years, tremendous progress has been achieved in our understanding on how intracellular signaling pathways are transmitted in either a linear or a network manner leading to the activation of NF-kappaB and subsequent cell growth control. However, a detailed molecular mechanism of NF-kappaB regulating cell growth has yet to be determined. Elucidation of the relationships between NF-kappaB activation and cell growth will be important in developing new strategies for the treatment of various human diseases, such as chronic autoimmune disorder and cancer.

Akt1/PKB upregulation leads to vascular smooth muscle cell hypertrophy and polyploidization

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) at capacitance arteries of hypertensive individuals and animals undergo marked age- and blood pressure-dependent polyploidization and hypertrophy. We show here that VSMCs at capacitance arteries of rat models of hypertension display high levels of Akt1/PKB protein and activity. Gene transfer of Akt1 to VSMCs isolated from a normotensive rat strain was sufficient to abrogate the activity of the mitotic spindle cell-cycle checkpoint, promoting polyploidization and hypertrophy. Furthermore, the hypertrophic agent angiotensin II induced VSMC polyploidization in an Akt1-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that Akt1 regulates ploidy levels in VSMCs and contributes to vascular smooth muscle polyploidization and hypertrophy during hypertension.

Epidermal growth factor-induced nuclear factor kappa B activation: A major pathway of cell-cycle progression in estrogen-receptor negative breast cancer cells

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of receptors (EGFR) is overproduced in estrogen receptor (ER) negative (-) breast cancer cells. An inverse correlation of the level of EGFR and ER is observed between ER- and ER positive (+) breast cancer cells. A comparative study with EGFR-overproducing ER- and low-level producing ER+ breast cancer cells suggests that EGF is a major growth-stimulating factor for ER- cells. An outline of the pathway for the EGF-induced enhanced proliferation of ER- human breast cancer cells is proposed. The transmission of mitogenic signal induced by EGF-EGFR interaction is mediated via activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). The basal level of active NF-kappaB in ER- cells is elevated by EGF and inhibited by anti-EGFR antibody (EGFR-Ab), thus qualifying EGF as a NF-kappaB activation factor. NF-kappaB transactivates the cell-cycle regulatory protein, cyclin D1, which causes increased phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein, more strongly in ER- cells. An inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase, Ly294-002, blocked this event, suggesting a role of the former in the activation of NF-kappaB by EGF. Go6976, a well-characterized NF-kappaB inhibitor, blocked EGF-induced NF-kappaB activation and up-regulation of cell-cycle regulatory proteins. This low molecular weight compound also caused apoptotic death, predominantly more in ER- cells. Thus Go6976 and similar NF-kappaB inhibitors are potentially novel low molecular weight therapeutic agents for treatment of ER- breast cancer patients.

NF-kappaB controls cell growth and differentiation through transcriptional regulation of cyclin D1

Accumulating evidence implicates the transcription factor NF-kappaB as a positive mediator of cell growth, but the molecular mechanism(s) involved in this process remains largely unknown. Here we use both a skeletal muscle differentiation model and normal diploid fibroblasts to gain insight into how NF-kappaB regulates cell growth and differentiation. Results obtained with the C2C12 myoblast cell line demonstrate that NF-kappaB functions as an inhibitor of myogenic differentiation. Myoblasts generated to lack NF-kappaB activity displayed defects in cellular proliferation and cell cycle exit upon differentiation. An analysis of cell cycle markers revealed that NF-kappaB activates cyclin D1 expression, and the results showed that this regulatory pathway is one mechanism by which NF-kappaB inhibits myogenesis. NF-kappaB regulation of cyclin D1 occurs at the transcriptional level and is mediated by direct binding of NF-kappaB to multiple sites in the cyclin D1 promoter. Using diploid fibroblasts, we demonstrate that NF-kappaB is required to induce cyclin D1 expression and pRb hyperphosphorylation and promote G(1)-to-S progression. Consistent with results obtained with the C2C12 differentiation model, we show that NF-kappaB also promotes cell growth in embryonic fibroblasts, correlating with its regulation of cyclin D1. These data therefore identify cyclin D1 as an important transcriptional target of NF-kappaB and reveal a mechanism to explain how NF-kappaB is involved in the early phases of the cell cycle to regulate cell growth and differentiation.

Repression of NF-kappaB impairs HeLa cell proliferation by functional interference with cell cycle checkpoint regulators

NF-kappaB is an inducible transcription factor, which is regulated by interaction with inhibitory IkappaB proteins. Previous studies linked the activity of NF-kappaB to the proliferative state of the cell. Here we have analysed the function of NF-kappaB in the cell cycle. Inhibition of NF-kappaB in HeLa cells by stable overexpression of a transdominant negative IkappaB-alpha protein reduced cell growth. A kinetic analysis of the cell cycle revealed a retarded G1/S transition. The IkappaB-alpha overexpressing cell clones showed a decreased percentage of cells in the S phase and an impaired incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). The amounts of cyclins A, B1, D1, D3, and E were unchanged, but the G1-specific proteins cyclin D2 and cdk2 were strongly elevated in the IkappaB-alpha overexpressing cell clones. These cell clones also displayed an increase in cyclin D1-dependent kinase activity, pointing to a cell cycle arrest at the late G1 phase. IkappaB-alpha overexpression crosstalked to cell cycle checkpoints via a reduction of transcription factor p53 and elevation of p21WAF. Surprisingly, the IkappaB-alpha overexpressing cells showed an enrichment of c-Myc in the nucleoli, although the total amount of c-Myc protein was unchanged. These experiments identify an important contribution of the NF-kappaB/IkappaB system for the growth of HeLa cells.

NF-kappaB function in growth control: regulation of cyclin D1 expression and G0/G1-to-S-phase transition

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) has been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation, transformation, and tumor development. We provide evidence for a direct link between NF-kappaB activity and cell cycle regulation. NF-kappaB was found to stimulate transcription of cyclin D1, a key regulator of G1 checkpoint control. Two NF-kappaB binding sites in the human cyclin D1 promoter conferred activation by NF-kappaB as well as by growth factors. Both levels and kinetics of cyclin D1 expression during G1 phase were controlled by NF-kappaB. Moreover, inhibition of NF-kappaB caused a pronounced reduction of serum-induced cyclin D1-associated kinase activity and resulted in delayed phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein. Furthermore, NF-kappaB promotes G1-to-S-phase transition in mouse embryonal fibroblasts and in T47D mammary carcinoma cells. Impaired cell cycle progression of T47D cells expressing an NF-kappaB superrepressor (IkappaBalphaDeltaN) could be rescued by ectopic expression of cyclin D1. Thus, NF-kappaB contributes to cell cycle progression, and one of its targets might be cyclin D1.

Characterization of a nerve growth factor-inducible cellular activity that enhances herpes simplex virus type 1 gene expression and replication of an ICP0 null mutant in cells of neural lineage

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ICP0 is required for efficient viral gene expression during lytic infection, especially at low multiplicities. A series of cellular activities that can substitute for ICP0 has been identified, suggesting that when the activity of ICP0 is limiting, these activities can substitute for ICP0 to activate viral gene expression. The cellular activities may be especially important during reactivation of HSV from neuronal latency when viral gene expression is initiated in the absence of prior viral protein synthesis. Consistent with this hypothesis, we have identified an inducible activity in cells of neural lineage (PC12) that can complement the low-multiplicity growth phenotype of an ICP0 null mutant, n212. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with nerve growth factor (NGF) or fibroblast growth factor (FGF) prior to infection produced a 10- to 20-fold increase in the 24-h yield of n212 but only a 2- to 4-fold increase in the yield of wild-type virus relative to mock treatment. Slot blot analysis of nuclear DNA isolated from infected cells treated or mock treated with NGF indicated that NGF treatment does not significantly affect viral entry. The NGF-induced activity in PC12 cells was expressed transiently, with peak complementing activity observed when cells were treated with NGF 12 h prior to infection. Addition of NGF 3 h after infection had little effect on virus yield. The NGF-induced cellular activity was inhibited by pretreatment of PC12 cells with kinase inhibitors that have high specificity for kinases involved in NGF/FGF-dependent signal transduction. RNase protection assays demonstrated that the NGF-inducible PC12 cell activity, like that of ICP0, functions to increase the level of viral mRNA during low-multiplicity infection. These results suggest that activation of viral transcription by ICP0 and transcriptional activation of cellular genes by NGF and FGF utilize common signal transduction pathways in PC12 cells.

Suppression of steady-state, but not stimulus-induced NF-kappaB activity inhibits alphavirus-induced apoptosis

Recent studies have established cell type- specific, proapoptotic, or antiapoptotic functions for the transcription factor NF-kappaB. In each of these studies, inhibitors of NF-kappaB activity have been present before the apoptotic stimulus, and so the role of stimulus- induced NF-kappaB activation in enhancing or inhibiting survival could not be directly assessed. Sindbis virus, an alphavirus, induces NF-kappaB activation and apoptosis in cultured cell lines. To address whether Sindbis virus- induced NF-kappaB activation is required for apoptosis, we used a chimeric Sindbis virus that expresses a superrepressor of NF-kappaB activity. Complete suppression of virus-induced NF-kappaB activity neither prevents nor potentiates Sindbis virus-induced apoptosis. In contrast, inhibition of NF-kappaB activity before infection inhibits Sindbis virus-induced apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that suppression of steady-state, but not stimulus-induced NF-kappaB activity, regulates expression of gene products required for Sindbis virus-induced death. Furthermore, we show that in the same cell line, NF-kappaB can be proapoptotic or antiapoptotic depending on the death stimulus. We propose that the role of NF-kappaB in regulating apoptosis is determined by the death stimulus and by the timing of modulating NF-kappaB activity relative to the death stimulus.

B lymphocytes differentially use the Rel and nuclear factor kappaB1 (NF-kappaB1) transcription factors to regulate cell cycle progression and apoptosis in quiescent and mitogen-activated cells

Rel and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB1, two members of the Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factor family, are essential for mitogen-induced B cell proliferation. Using mice with inactivated Rel or NF-kappaB1 genes, we show that these transcription factors differentially regulate cell cycle progression and apoptosis in B lymphocytes. Consistent with an increased rate of mature B cell turnover in naive nfkb1-/- mice, the level of apoptosis in cultures of quiescent nfkb1-/-, but not c-rel-/-, B cells is higher. The failure of c-rel-/- or nfkb1-/- B cells to proliferate in response to particular mitogens coincides with a cell cycle block early in G1 and elevated cell death. Expression of a bcl-2 transgene prevents apoptosis in resting and activated c-rel-/- and nfkb1-/- B cells, but does not overcome the block in cell cycle progression, suggesting that the impaired proliferation is not simply a consequence of apoptosis and that Rel/NF-kappaB proteins regulate cell survival and cell cycle control through independent mechanisms. In contrast to certain B lymphoma cell lines in which mitogen-induced cell death can result from Rel/NF-kappaB-dependent downregulation of c-myc, expression of c-myc is normal in resting and stimulated c-rel-/- B cells, indicating that target gene(s) regulated by Rel that are important for preventing apoptosis may differ in normal and immortalized B cells. Collectively, these results are the first to demonstrate that in normal B cells, NF-kappaB1 regulates survival of cells in G0, whereas mitogenic activation induced by distinct stimuli requires different Rel/NF-kappaB factors to control cell cycle progression and prevent apoptosis.

NFkappaB prevents apoptosis and liver dysfunction during liver regeneration

Although NFkappaB binding activity is induced during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy, the physiological consequence of this induction is unknown. We have assessed the role of NFkappaB during liver regeneration by delivering to the liver a superrepressor of NFkappaB activity using an adenoviral vector expressing a mutated form of IkappaBalpha. This adenovirus (Ad5IkappaB) was almost exclusively expressed in the liver and inhibited NFkappaB DNA binding activity and transcriptional activity in cultured cells as well as in the liver in vivo. After partial hepatectomy, infection with Ad5IkappaB, but not a control adenovirus (Ad5LacZ), resulted in the induction of massive apoptosis and hepatocytes as demonstrated by histological staining and TUNEL analysis. In addition, infection with Ad5IkappaB but not Ad5LacZ decreased the mitotic index after partial hepatectomy. These two phenomena, increased apoptosis and failure to progress through the cell cycle, were associated with liver dysfunction in animals infected with the Ad5IkappaB but not Ad5LacZ, as demonstrated by elevated serum bilirubin and ammonia levels. Thus, the induction of NFkappaB during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy appears to be a required event to prevent apoptosis and to allow for normal cell cycle progression.

Constitutive nuclear factor-kappaB-RelA activation is required for proliferation and survival of Hodgkin's disease tumor cells

The pathogenesis and etiology of Hodgkin's disease, a common human malignant lymphoma, is still unresolved. As a unique characteristic, we have identified constitutive activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB p50-RelA in Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells, which discriminates these neoplastic cells from most cell types studied to date. In contrast to other lymphoid and nonlymphoid cell lines tested, proliferation of H/RS cells depended on activated NF-kappaB. Furthermore, constitutive NF-kappaB p50-RelA prevented Hodgkin's lymphoma cells from undergoing apoptosis under stress conditions. Consistent with this dual function, Hodgkin's lymphoma cells depleted of constitutive nuclear NF-kappaB revealed strongly impaired tumor growth in severe combined immunodeficient mice. Our findings identify NF-kappaB as an important component for understanding the pathogenesis of Hodgkin's disease and for developing new therapeutic strategies against it.

c-Rel arrests the proliferation of HeLa cells and affects critical regulators of the G1/S-phase transition

A tetracycline-regulated system was used to characterize the effects of c-Rel on cell proliferation. The expression of c-Rel in HeLa cells led to growth arrest at the G1/S-phase transition, which correlated with its nuclear localization and the induction of endogenous IkappaB alpha expression. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in E2F DNA binding and the accumulation of the hypophosphorylated form of Rb. In vitro kinase assays showed a reduction in Cdk2 kinase activity that correlated with elevated levels of p21WAF1 Cdk inhibitor and p53 tumor suppressor protein. While the steady-state levels of WAF1 transcripts were increased, pulse-chase analysis revealed a sharp increase in p53 protein stability. Importantly, the deletion of the C-terminal transactivation domains of c-Rel abolished these effects. Together, these studies demonstrate that c-Rel can affect cell cycle control and suggest the involvement of the p21WAF1 and p53 cell cycle regulators.

Synergistic activation of NF-kappaB by tumor necrosis factor alpha and gamma interferon via enhanced I kappaB alpha degradation and de novo I kappaBbeta degradation

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) are required for an effective immune response to bacterial infection and these cytokines synergize in a variety of biological responses, including the induction of cytokine, cell adhesion, and inducible nitrous oxide synthase gene expression. Typically, the synergistic effect on gene expression is due to the independent activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) by TNF-alpha and of signal transducers and activators of transcription or IFN-regulatory factor 1 by IFNs, allowing these transcription factors to bind their unique promoter sites. However, since activation of NF-kappaB by TNF-alpha is often transient and would not activate long-term kappaB-dependent transcription effectively, we explored the effects of IFN-gamma on TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activity. IFN-gamma, which typically does not activate NF-kappaB, synergistically enhanced TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB nuclear translocation via a mechanism that involves the induced degradation of I kappaBbeta and that apparently requires tyrosine kinase activity in preneuronal cells but not in endothelial cells. Correspondingly, cotreatment of cells with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma leads to persistent activation of NF-kappaB and to potent activation of kappaB-dependent gene expression, which may explain, at least in part, the synergy observed between these cytokines, as well as their involvement in the generation of an effective immune response.

Protein phosphatase 2A is a critical regulator of protein kinase C zeta signaling targeted by SV40 small t to promote cell growth and NF-kappaB activation

We have reported that inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) by expression of SV40 small t stimulates the mitogenic MAP kinase cascade. Here, we show that SV40 small t can substitute for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or serum and stimulate atypical protein kinase C zeta (PKC zeta) activity, resulting in MEK activation, cell proliferation and NF-kappaB-dependent gene transcriptional activation in CV-1 and NIH 3T3 cells. These effects were abrogated by co-expression of kinase-deficient PKC zeta and inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p85alpha-p110 by wortmannin, LY294002 and a dominant-negative mutant of p85alpha. In contrast, expression of kinase-inactive ERK2 inhibited small t-dependent cell growth but was unable to abolish small t-induced NF-kappaB transactivation. Our results provide the first in vivo evidence for a critical regulatory role of PP2A in bifunctional PKC zeta signaling pathways controlled by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Constitutive activation of PKC zeta and NF-kappaB following inhibition of PP2A supports new mechanisms by which SV40 small t promotes cell growth and transformation. By establishing PP2A as a key player in the response of cells to growth factors and stress signals like TNF-alpha, our findings could explain why PP2A is a primary target utilized during SV40 infection to alter cellular behavior.

RREB-1, a novel zinc finger protein, is involved in the differentiation response to Ras in human medullary thyroid carcinomas

An activated ras oncogene induces a program of differentiation in the human medullary thyroid cancer cell line TT. This differentiation process is accompanied by a marked increase in the transcription of the human calcitonin (CT) gene. We have localized a unique Ras-responsive transcriptional element (RRE) in the CT gene promoter. DNase I protection indicates two domains of protein-DNA interaction, and each domain separately can confer Ras-mediated transcriptional inducibility. This bipartite RRE was also found to be Raf responsive. By affinity screening, we have cloned a cDNA coding for a zinc finger transcription factor (RREB-1) that binds to the distal RRE. The consensus binding site for this factor is CCCCAAACCACCCC. RREB-1 is expressed ubiquitously in human tissues outside the adult brain. Overexpression of RREB-1 protein in TT cells confers the ability to mediate increased transactivation of the CT gene promoter-reporter construct during Ras- or Raf-induced differentiation. These data suggest that RREB-1 may play a role in Ras and Raf signal transduction in medullary thyroid cancer and other cells.

Expression of LMP1 in epithelial cells leads to the activation of a select subset of NF-kappa B/Rel family proteins

This study demonstrates that the Epstein-Barr virus protein LMP1 activates a specific subset of NF-kappa B/Rel proteins in the C33 epithelial cell line. Western immunoblot analysis used to analyze the intracellular distribution and abundance of the proteins present in these complexes demonstrated that levels of the p50 and p52 proteins were significantly elevated in the nuclei of LMP1-expressing cells. The data also suggest that LMP1 facilitates the translocation of p50 to the nucleus and may affect the processing of the p100 and p105 precursor proteins or the stability of p52 and p50.

Regulation of Raf-1 kinase activity by the 14-3-3 family of proteins

We have identified the beta (beta) isoform of the 14-3-3 family of proteins as an activator of the Raf-1 protein kinase. 14-3-3 was isolated in a yeast two-hybrid screen for Raf-1 kinase domain binding proteins. Purified bovine brain 14-3-3 interacted specifically with both c-Raf-1 and the isolated Raf-1 kinase domain. Association was sensitive to the activation status of Raf-1; 14-3-3 bound to unactivated Raf-1, but not Raf-1 activated by protein kinase C alpha or Ras and Lck. The significance of these interactions under physiological conditions was demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation of Raf-1 and 14-3-3 from extracts of quiescent, but not mitogen-stimulated, NIH 3T3 cells. 14-3-3 was not a preferred Raf-1 substrate in vitro and did not significantly affect Raf-1 kinase activity in a purified system. However, in cell-free extracts 14-3-3 acted as a Ras-independent activator of both c-Raf-1 and the Raf-1 kinase domain. The same results were obtained in vivo using transfection assays; 14-3-3 enhanced both c-Raf-1- and Raf-1 kinase domain-stimulated expression of AP-1- and NF-kappa B-dependent reporter genes and accelerated Raf-1 kinase domain-triggered differentiation of PC12 cells. We conclude that 14-3-3 is a latent co-activator bound to unactivated Raf-1 in quiescent cells and mediates mitogen-triggered but Ras-independent regulatory effects aimed directly at the kinase domain.

Characterization of mechanisms involved in transrepression of NF-kappa B by activated glucocorticoid receptors

Glucocorticoids are potent immunosuppressants which work in part by inhibiting cytokine gene transcription. We show here that NF-kappa B, an important regulator of numerous cytokine genes, is functionally inhibited by the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX). In transfection experiments, DEX treatment in the presence of cotransfected glucocorticoid receptor (GR) inhibits NF-kappa B p65-mediated gene expression and p65 inhibits GR activation of a glucocorticoid response element. Evidence is presented for a direct interaction between GR and the NF-kappa B subunits p65 and p50. In addition, we demonstrate that the ability of p65, p50, and c-rel subunits to bind DNA is inhibited by DEX and GR. In HeLa cells, DEX activation of endogenous GR is sufficient to block tumor necrosis factor alpha or interleukin 1 activation of NF-kappa B at the levels of both DNA binding and transcriptional activation. DEX treatment of HeLa cells also results in a significant loss of nuclear p65 and a slight increase in cytoplasmic p65. These data reveal a second mechanism by which NF-kappa B activity may be regulated by DEX. We also report that RU486 treatment of wild-type GR and DEX treatment of a transactivation mutant of GR each can significantly inhibit p65 activity. In addition, we found that the zinc finger domain of GR is necessary for the inhibition of p65. This domain is also required for GR repression of AP-1. Surprisingly, while both AP-1 and NF-kappa B can be inhibited by activated GR, synergistic NF-kappa B/AP-1 activity is largely unaffected. These data suggest that NF-kappa B, AP-1, and GR interact in a complex regulatory network to modulate gene expression and that cross-coupling of NF-kappa B and GR plays an important role in glucocorticoid-mediated repression of cytokine transcription.

Ras activation of genes: Mob-1 as a model

The ras oncogenes function by indirectly controlling expression of a subset of yet-undefined genes that are crucial for cell growth and differentiation. In a differential display strategy, numerous genes were identified on the basis of their differential expression in rat embryo fibroblasts transformed by the cooperation of mutant Ha-ras and p53 genes. We demonstrate here that one such gene, designated mob-1, is a downstream target of the Ras signaling pathway. The 417-bp mob-1 promoter, which contains dual NF-kappa B and AP-1 binding sites, confers the Ras inducibility. Oncogenic Ras as well as serum growth factors that activate endogenous Ras can induce mob-1 expression, but with a fundamental difference in that the oncogenic induction is constitutive whereas the serum induction is transient. mob-1 encodes a small secretory protein with a high degree of homology to IP-10, a member of a proinflammatory cytokine family. These findings link chronic inflammatory response to constitutive ras activation and tumorigenesis. Mob-1 may serve as a secreted marker for oncogenic Ha-ras mutations.

In vivo footprinting analysis of constitutive and inducible protein-DNA interactions at the long terminal repeat of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

The regulation of the rate of transcription of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is mainly exerted through the long terminal repeat (LTR) at the 5' end of the provirus. A large number of cis-acting regulatory elements have been identified in the LTR by in vitro binding studies; the biological role of these sites within living infected cells, however, is still not clear. We have studied the interactions of nuclear proteins with the LTR in the U1 monocytic cell line by in vivo dimethylsulfate footprinting, using the ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction technique. In this cell line, transcription of the virus, which is very low under basal conditions, is highly inducible by treatment with phorbol esters; therefore, this system is likely to represent a suitable cellular model to study viral latency. Independently of the level of viral transcription, major in vivo footprints appear at the two Sp1 sites adjacent to the enhancer, the downstream-positioned enhancer repeat, the NFAT binding site, and one of the purine-rich sites of the negative regulatory element. Upon transcriptional activation by phorbol myristate acetate, the only perturbation in the footprinting pattern is a dramatic increase in dimethylsulfate sensitivity of guanine at position -92 in the downstream enhancer repeat. This modification is correlated with the transient induction of two enhancer-binding activities, as determined by gel retardation assays. While the transcriptional rate is still increasing and the in vivo footprinting pattern is unchanged at up to 24 h postactivation, these enhancer-binding factors are considerably reduced at this time. Therefore, further levels of regulation have to be considered to explain the maintenance of the induced state.

NF-kappa B p100 (Lyt-10) is a component of H2TF1 and can function as an I kappa B-like molecule

NF-kappa B is an important transcription factor regulating expression of genes involved in immune function, inflammation, and cellular growth control. NF-kappa B activity is induced by numerous stimuli, such as phorbol esters, B- and T-cell mitogens, the cytokines tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, and serum growth factors. The standard model for the induction of NF-kappa B activity involves the release of the transcription factor from a cytoplasmic inhibitor termed I kappa B, allowing translocation of NF-kappa B to the nucleus. I kappa B contains multiple copies of the so-called ankyrin repeat, which are apparently necessary for its function. Subunits comprising NF-kappa B and related binding activities are members of the Rel multigene family. Two such subunits, p50 and p52 (also called p50B), are proteolytically processed from precursors of 105 kDa (also called p105 and NFKB1) and 100 kDa (also called p100, NFKB2, and Lyt-10), respectively. Both contain N-terminal Rel-homologous domains as well as multiple copies of C-terminal ankyrin repeats. We show here that NF-kappa B p100 is a component of the previously identified DNA-binding activity H2TF1. In addition, we show that p100 is localized in the cytoplasm in HeLa cells, where it is associated with c-Rel, p50, or p65 (RelA). In transient-transfection assays, p100 represses the ability of NF-kappa B p65 to activate a kappa B-containing reporter construct. Transfection of p100 also results in a loss of nuclear p65 DNA binding to a kappa B probe, as measured by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and a loss of nuclear p65 immunoreactivity, as measured by immunoblotting. This loss of nuclear p65 is paralleled by a gain of p65 DNA-binding activity and immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm. We interpret these data as demonstrating that p100 functions as an I kappa B-like molecule to sequester Rel family members in the cytoplasm. Proteolytic processing of p100 to the activator p52 is predicted to generate several new forms of Rel family heterodimers and therefore represents a form of regulation of NF-kappa B activity distinct from the classic I kappa B pathway.

Identification of a rel-related protein in the nucleus during the S phase of the cell cycle

The c-rel proto-oncogene encodes a 75-kDa protein (p75c-rel) which is present in the cytosol of chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) associated with a distinct set of cellular proteins with molecular masses of 40, 115, and 124 kDa. CEF cultures arrested in S phase of the cell cycle, or enriched for G2 or mitotic cells, were examined to determine whether the expression of c-rel was altered during the cell cycle. Levels of p75c-rel remained constant in all portions of the cell cycle examined; however, a Rel-related protein with an apparent molecular mass of 64 kDa was detected in nuclei of S-phase cells. As cells enter G2, the level of this protein in the nucleus decreases. This protein reacts with antiserum generated against the carboxy terminus of p75c-rel in radioimmunoprecipitations and Western immunoblot experiments and was also detected in a Western immunoblot with antiserum generated against the first 161 amino acids of pp59v-rel. Thus, unlike other Rel/NF-kappa B family members, p64 has carboxy-terminal homology with c-Rel. The majority of peptides generated by partial proteolytic cleavage of p64 are shared with peptides generated by digestion of p75c-rel and/or pp59v-rel. We suggest that this protein represents a new member of the Rel family of transcription factors and is located in the nucleus of avian fibroblasts during S phase of the cell cycle.

Raf-1 protein kinase activates the NF-kappa B transcription factor by dissociating the cytoplasmic NF-kappa B-I kappa B complex

Addition of mitogenic growth factors to quiescent cells triggers complex signal transduction cascades that result in the reprogramming of gene expression and entry into the cell cycle. We have found that an oncogenic variant of the c-Raf-1 protein kinase stimulated the expression of promoters containing NF-kappa B binding sites. In situ immunofluorescence analysis revealed elevated nuclear levels of the p65 subunit of NF-kappa B in v-raf-transformed NIH 3T3 cells. Incubation of HeLa cell cytoplasmic extracts with a purified recombinant glutathione S-transferase-raf fusion protein in the presence of ATP released active NF-kappa B that could be detected by electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay. Coincubation of purified recombinant I kappa B and glutathione S-transferase-raf in the presence of ATP resulted in the phosphorylation of I kappa B. Coexpression of GAL4 (activation domain)-I kappa B and GAL4 (DNA-binding domain)-raf fusion proteins in yeast resulted in stimulation of a GAL4-responsive reporter gene, indicating that I kappa B and Raf interact physically in vivo. These results indicate that the Raf-1 kinase functions in signal transduction in part by activating the NF-kappa B transcription factor by phosphorylating I kappa B in the cytoplasmic I kappa B-NF-kappa B complex to release active NF-kappa B.

NF-kappa B p100 (Lyt-10) is a component of H2TF1 and can function as an I kappa B-like molecule

NF-kappa B is an important transcription factor regulating expression of genes involved in immune function, inflammation, and cellular growth control. NF-kappa B activity is induced by numerous stimuli, such as phorbol esters, B- and T-cell mitogens, the cytokines tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, and serum growth factors. The standard model for the induction of NF-kappa B activity involves the release of the transcription factor from a cytoplasmic inhibitor termed I kappa B, allowing translocation of NF-kappa B to the nucleus. I kappa B contains multiple copies of the so-called ankyrin repeat, which are apparently necessary for its function. Subunits comprising NF-kappa B and related binding activities are members of the Rel multigene family. Two such subunits, p50 and p52 (also called p50B), are proteolytically processed from precursors of 105 kDa (also called p105 and NFKB1) and 100 kDa (also called p100, NFKB2, and Lyt-10), respectively. Both contain N-terminal Rel-homologous domains as well as multiple copies of C-terminal ankyrin repeats. We show here that NF-kappa B p100 is a component of the previously identified DNA-binding activity H2TF1. In addition, we show that p100 is localized in the cytoplasm in HeLa cells, where it is associated with c-Rel, p50, or p65 (RelA). In transient-transfection assays, p100 represses the ability of NF-kappa B p65 to activate a kappa B-containing reporter construct. Transfection of p100 also results in a loss of nuclear p65 DNA binding to a kappa B probe, as measured by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and a loss of nuclear p65 immunoreactivity, as measured by immunoblotting. This loss of nuclear p65 is paralleled by a gain of p65 DNA-binding activity and immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm. We interpret these data as demonstrating that p100 functions as an I kappa B-like molecule to sequester Rel family members in the cytoplasm. Proteolytic processing of p100 to the activator p52 is predicted to generate several new forms of Rel family heterodimers and therefore represents a form of regulation of NF-kappa B activity distinct from the classic I kappa B pathway.

Identification of a rel-related protein in the nucleus during the S phase of the cell cycle

The c-rel proto-oncogene encodes a 75-kDa protein (p75c-rel) which is present in the cytosol of chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) associated with a distinct set of cellular proteins with molecular masses of 40, 115, and 124 kDa. CEF cultures arrested in S phase of the cell cycle, or enriched for G2 or mitotic cells, were examined to determine whether the expression of c-rel was altered during the cell cycle. Levels of p75c-rel remained constant in all portions of the cell cycle examined; however, a Rel-related protein with an apparent molecular mass of 64 kDa was detected in nuclei of S-phase cells. As cells enter G2, the level of this protein in the nucleus decreases. This protein reacts with antiserum generated against the carboxy terminus of p75c-rel in radioimmunoprecipitations and Western immunoblot experiments and was also detected in a Western immunoblot with antiserum generated against the first 161 amino acids of pp59v-rel. Thus, unlike other Rel/NF-kappa B family members, p64 has carboxy-terminal homology with c-Rel. The majority of peptides generated by partial proteolytic cleavage of p64 are shared with peptides generated by digestion of p75c-rel and/or pp59v-rel. We suggest that this protein represents a new member of the Rel family of transcription factors and is located in the nucleus of avian fibroblasts during S phase of the cell cycle.

Cross-coupling of the NF-kappa B p65 and Fos/Jun transcription factors produces potentiated biological function

NF-kappa B and AP-1 represent distinct mammalian transcription factors that target unique DNA enhancer elements. The heterodimeric NF-kappa B complex is typically composed of two DNA binding subunits, NF-kappa B p50 and NF-kappa B p65, which share structural homology with the c-rel proto-oncogene product. Similarly, the AP-1 transcription factor complex is comprised of dimers of the c-fos and c-jun proto-oncogene products or of closely related proteins. We now demonstrate that the bZIP regions of c-Fos and c-Jun are capable of physically interacting with NF-kappa B p65 through the Rel homology domain. This complex of NF-kappa B p65 and Jun or Fos exhibits enhanced DNA binding and biological function via both the kappa B and AP-1 response elements including synergistic activation of the 5' long terminal repeat of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1. These findings support a combinatorial mechanism of gene regulation involving the unexpected cross-coupling of two different classes of transcription factors to form novel protein complexes exhibiting potentiated biological activity.

Functional and physical associations between NF-kappa B and C/EBP family members: a Rel domain-bZIP interaction

NF-kappa B and C/EBP represent distinct families of transcription factors that target unique DNA enhancer elements. The heterodimeric NF-kappa B complex is composed of two subunits, a 50- and a 65-kDa protein. All members of the NF-kappa B family, including the product of the proto-oncogene c-rel, are characterized by their highly homologous approximately 300-amino-acid N-terminal region. This Rel homology domain mediates DNA binding, dimerization, and nuclear targeting of these proteins. C/EBP contains the bZIP region, which is characterized by two motifs in the C-terminal half of the protein: a basic region involved in DNA binding and a leucine zipper motif involved in dimerization. The C/EBP family consist of several related proteins, C/EBP alpha, C/EBP beta, C/EBP gamma, and C/EBP delta, that form homodimers and that form heterodimers with each other. We now demonstrated the unexpected cross-coupling of members of the NF-kappa B family three members of the C/EBP family. NF-kappa B p65, p50, and Rel functionally synergize with C/EBP alpha, C/EBP beta, and C/EBP delta. This cross-coupling results in the inhibition of promoters with kappa B enhancer motifs and in the synergistic stimulation of promoters with C/EBP binding sites. These studies demonstrate that NF-kappa B augments gene expression mediated by a multimerized c-fos serum response element in the presence of C/EBP. We show a direct physical association of the bZIP region of C/EBP with the Rel homology domain of NF-kappa B. The cross-coupling of NF-kappa B with C/EBP highlights a mechanism of gene regulation involving an interaction between distinct transcription factor families.

Functional and physical associations between NF-kappa B and C/EBP family members: a Rel domain-bZIP interaction

NF-kappa B and C/EBP represent distinct families of transcription factors that target unique DNA enhancer elements. The heterodimeric NF-kappa B complex is composed of two subunits, a 50- and a 65-kDa protein. All members of the NF-kappa B family, including the product of the proto-oncogene c-rel, are characterized by their highly homologous approximately 300-amino-acid N-terminal region. This Rel homology domain mediates DNA binding, dimerization, and nuclear targeting of these proteins. C/EBP contains the bZIP region, which is characterized by two motifs in the C-terminal half of the protein: a basic region involved in DNA binding and a leucine zipper motif involved in dimerization. The C/EBP family consist of several related proteins, C/EBP alpha, C/EBP beta, C/EBP gamma, and C/EBP delta, that form homodimers and that form heterodimers with each other. We now demonstrated the unexpected cross-coupling of members of the NF-kappa B family three members of the C/EBP family. NF-kappa B p65, p50, and Rel functionally synergize with C/EBP alpha, C/EBP beta, and C/EBP delta. This cross-coupling results in the inhibition of promoters with kappa B enhancer motifs and in the synergistic stimulation of promoters with C/EBP binding sites. These studies demonstrate that NF-kappa B augments gene expression mediated by a multimerized c-fos serum response element in the presence of C/EBP. We show a direct physical association of the bZIP region of C/EBP with the Rel homology domain of NF-kappa B. The cross-coupling of NF-kappa B with C/EBP highlights a mechanism of gene regulation involving an interaction between distinct transcription factor families.

Multiple mechanisms are implicated in the regulation of NF-kappa B activity during human cytomegalovirus infection

Infection-induced activation of the human cytomegalovirus major immediate early enhancer/promoter has been shown to be regulated primarily by transcription factor NF-kappa B cis elements. However, the mechanism(s) by which human cytomegalovirus induces NF-kappa B activity is unknown. A study was therefore undertaken to determine how this virus would affect normal NF-kappa B regulation. Viral infection of fibroblasts resulted in the specific stimulation of promoters containing major histocompatibility complex NF-kappa B cis elements fused upstream of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays of nuclear extracts derived from mock- and virus-infected cells showed dramatic and sustained increases in DNA-binding proteins specific for these NF-kappa B sequences. Experiments using MAD-3 I kappa B, a specific inhibitor of NF-kappa B, and antibodies directed against rel family members demonstrated that the induced binding activities contained p50 and p65 proteins but not c-rel. Northern analysis indicated maximal levels of p50 mRNA by 4 h postinfection, whereas p65 and MAD-3 I kappa B mRNA accumulation peaked at 48-72 h postinfection, suggesting different regulatory mechanisms for p50 and p65/I kappa B genes. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with deoxycholate-treated cytoplasmic extracts demonstrated a 3- to 4-fold decrease in the cytosolic stores of NF-kappa B binding activity by 4 h postinfection. Western blots probed with antibodies directed against MAD-3 I kappa B or pp40 (a protein isolated from chicken with sequence and biochemical properties similar to those of MAD-3 I kappa B) indicated that a cross-reactive peptide of 39 kDa was no longer detectable after 24 h postinfection. These results demonstrate that the activation and maintenance of nuclear NF-kappa B DNA binding and enhancer activities upon human cytomegalovirus infection occurs by multiple mechanisms.

Induction of NF-kappa B-like activity by platelet-derived growth factor in mouse fibroblasts

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) modulates the expression of numerous genes via interaction with a specific DNA sequence termed the kappa B site. Its activity is modulated by a cytosolic inhibitor protein termed I kappa B, and its activation occurs in response to a variety of agents in a variety of cell types, most notably B and T lymphocytes. Data presented here show that an activity (designated complex I) that binds specifically to the kappa B site is induced in density-arrested Balb/c-3T3 mouse fibroblasts by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a potent mitogen for these cells. Increased levels of complex I, as evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays of nuclear extracts, were observed in cells treated for 1-4 h (but not 15 min) with the BB isoform of PDGF. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and the AA isoform of PDGF also stimulated this response and both isoforms, but not TPA, were effective in cells depleted of protein kinase C. Complex I most likely is authentic NF-kappa B, a p50-p65 heterodimer, or a closely related factor because it exhibited properties characteristic of those previously described for NF-kappa B including inducibility by deoxycholate and cycloheximide and sensitivity to I kappa B. A second kappa B binding activity (complex II), which apparently contained p50 homodimers, displayed limited induction by PDGF, whereas a third complex (complex III) migrated faster than but behaved similarly to complex I. These studies suggest that NF-kappa B or an NF-kappa B-like factor may participate in the expression of PDGF-inducible genes.

NF-kappa B-like factors mediate interleukin 1 induction of c-myc gene transcription in fibroblasts

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is a pluripotent cytokine involved in mediating a variety of physiological processes, including induction of cell proliferation upon wound healing. Treatment of quiescent FS-4 human dermal fibroblast cells with IL-1 activates c-myc gene transcription, and nuclear localization of NF-kappa B. Previously, we have noted that the murine c-myc gene contains two functional NF-kappa B sites located at -1101 to -1081 bp (upstream regulatory element [URE]) and +440 to +459 bp (internal regulatory element [IRE]) relative to the P1 promoter. Here we have demonstrated that IL-1 treatment induced binding of NF-kappa B-like proteins (p50/p65) to these c-myc elements. Heterologous promoter-CAT constructs driven by multiple copies of either the URE or IRE were IL-1 inducible when transfected into FS-4 cells. In contrast, constructs harboring elements with two G to C residue conversions, such that they were no longer able to bind NF-kappa B, were not responsive to IL-1. Mutation of these two base pairs at both NF-kappa B sites within a c-myc promoter/exon I-CAT construct, resulted in loss of inducibility with IL-1 upon transfection into quiescent FS-4 cells. Thus, IL-1 significantly induces c-myc expression through positive regulation by NF-kappa B, suggesting a role for this family of factors in activation of proliferation associated with wound healing.

Rapid induction in regenerating liver of RL/IF-1 (an I kappa B that inhibits NF-kappa B, RelB-p50, and c-Rel-p50) and PHF, a novel kappa B site-binding complex

The liver is one of the few adult tissues that has the capacity to regenerate following hepatectomy or toxic damage. In examining the early growth response during hepatic regeneration, we found that a highly induced immediate-early gene in regenerating liver encodes RL/IF-1 (regenerating liver inhibitory factor) and is the rat homolog of human MAD-3 and probably of chicken pp40. RL/IF-1 has I kappa B activity of broad specificity in that it inhibits the binding of p50-p65 NF-kappa B, c-Rel-p50, and RelB-p50, but not p50 homodimeric NF-kappa B, to kappa B sites. Like RL/IF-1, several members of the NF-kappa B and rel family of transcription factors are immediate-early genes in regenerating liver and mitogen-treated cells. We examined changes in kappa B site binding activity during liver regeneration and discovered a rapidly induced novel kappa B site-binding complex designated PHF [posthepatectomy factor(s)]. PHF is induced over 1,000-fold within minutes posthepatectomy in a protein synthesis-independent manner, with peak activity at 30 min, and is not induced by sham operation. PHF is distinct from p50-p65 NF-kappa B, which is present only in the inactive form in liver posthepatectomy. Although early PHF complexes do not interact strongly with anti-p50 antibodies, PHF complexes present later (3 to 5 h) posthepatectomy react strongly, suggesting that they contain a p50 NF-kappa B subunit. Unlike p50-p65 NF-kappa B, c-Rel-p50, and RelB-p50 complexes, PHF binding to kappa B sites is not inhibited by RL/IF-1. One role of RL/IF-1 in liver regeneration may be to inhibit p50-p65 NF-kappa B activity present in hepatic cells, allowing for the preferential binding of PHF to kappa B sites. Because PHF is induced immediately posthepatectomy in the absence of de novo protein synthesis, PHF could have a role in the regulation of liver-specific immediate-early genes in regenerating liver.

Rapid induction in regenerating liver of RL/IF-1 (an I kappa B that inhibits NF-kappa B, RelB-p50, and c-Rel-p50) and PHF, a novel kappa B site-binding complex

The liver is one of the few adult tissues that has the capacity to regenerate following hepatectomy or toxic damage. In examining the early growth response during hepatic regeneration, we found that a highly induced immediate-early gene in regenerating liver encodes RL/IF-1 (regenerating liver inhibitory factor) and is the rat homolog of human MAD-3 and probably of chicken pp40. RL/IF-1 has I kappa B activity of broad specificity in that it inhibits the binding of p50-p65 NF-kappa B, c-Rel-p50, and RelB-p50, but not p50 homodimeric NF-kappa B, to kappa B sites. Like RL/IF-1, several members of the NF-kappa B and rel family of transcription factors are immediate-early genes in regenerating liver and mitogen-treated cells. We examined changes in kappa B site binding activity during liver regeneration and discovered a rapidly induced novel kappa B site-binding complex designated PHF [posthepatectomy factor(s)]. PHF is induced over 1,000-fold within minutes posthepatectomy in a protein synthesis-independent manner, with peak activity at 30 min, and is not induced by sham operation. PHF is distinct from p50-p65 NF-kappa B, which is present only in the inactive form in liver posthepatectomy. Although early PHF complexes do not interact strongly with anti-p50 antibodies, PHF complexes present later (3 to 5 h) posthepatectomy react strongly, suggesting that they contain a p50 NF-kappa B subunit. Unlike p50-p65 NF-kappa B, c-Rel-p50, and RelB-p50 complexes, PHF binding to kappa B sites is not inhibited by RL/IF-1. One role of RL/IF-1 in liver regeneration may be to inhibit p50-p65 NF-kappa B activity present in hepatic cells, allowing for the preferential binding of PHF to kappa B sites. Because PHF is induced immediately posthepatectomy in the absence of de novo protein synthesis, PHF could have a role in the regulation of liver-specific immediate-early genes in regenerating liver.

Induction of monocytic differentiation and NF-kappa B-like activities by human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection of myelomonoblastic cells

The effects of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection on cellular differentiation and NF-kappa B DNA binding activity have been investigated in a new model of myeloid differentiation. PLB-985 cells represent a bipotential myelomonoblastic cell population capable of either granulocytic or monocytic differentiation after induction with appropriate inducers. By virtue of the presence of CD4 on the cell surface, PLB-985 cells were chronically infected with HIV-1 strain IIIB. PLB-IIIB cells clearly possessed a more monocytic phenotype than the parental myeloblasts, as determined by differential staining, increased expression of the myeloid-specific surface markers, and transcription of the c-fms proto-oncogene. NF-kappa B binding activity was inducible by tumor necrosis factor and phorbol myristate acetate in PLB-985. However, in PLB-IIIB cells, constitutive expression of a novel NF-kappa B complex was detected, composed of proteins ranging between 70 and 110 kD. These proteins interacted specifically with the symmetric NF-kappa B site from the interferon beta (IFN-beta) promoter. Mutations affecting the 5' guanine residues of the kappa B site were unable to compete for these NF-kappa B-related proteins. Inducibility of endogenous IFN-beta and IFN-alpha RNA was also increased in PLB-IIIB cells. These studies indicate that HIV-1 infection of myelomonoblastic cells may select for a more mature monocytic phenotype and that unique subunit associations of NF-kappa B DNA binding proteins may contribute to differential NF-kappa B-mediated gene expression.