Multiple basal promoter elements determine the level of human c-fos transcription

The variant rs1867277 in FOXE1 gene confers thyroid cancer susceptibility through the recruitment of USF1/USF2 transcription factors

In order to identify genetic factors related to thyroid cancer susceptibility, we adopted a candidate gene approach. We studied tag- and putative functional SNPs in genes involved in thyroid cell differentiation and proliferation, and in genes found to be differentially expressed in thyroid carcinoma. A total of 768 SNPs in 97 genes were genotyped in a Spanish series of 615 cases and 525 controls, the former comprising the largest collection of patients with this pathology from a single population studied to date. SNPs in an LD block spanning the entire FOXE1 gene showed the strongest evidence of association with papillary thyroid carcinoma susceptibility. This association was validated in a second stage of the study that included an independent Italian series of 482 patients and 532 controls. The strongest association results were observed for rs1867277 (OR[per-allele] = 1.49; 95%CI = 1.30–1.70; P = 5.9×10⁻⁹). Functional assays of rs1867277 (NM_004473.3:c.−283G>A) within the FOXE1 5′ UTR suggested that this variant affects FOXE1 transcription. DNA-binding assays demonstrated that, exclusively, the sequence containing the A allele recruited the USF1/USF2 transcription factors, while both alleles formed a complex in which DREAM/CREB/αCREM participated. Transfection studies showed an allele-dependent transcriptional regulation of FOXE1. We propose a FOXE1 regulation model dependent on the rs1867277 genotype, indicating that this SNP is a causal variant in thyroid cancer susceptibility. Our results constitute the first functional explanation for an association identified by a GWAS and thereby elucidate a mechanism of thyroid cancer susceptibility. They also attest to the efficacy of candidate gene approaches in the GWAS era.

Although follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer has an important genetic component, efforts in identifying major susceptibility genes have not been successful. Probably this is due to the complex nature of this disease that involves both genetic and environmental factors, as well as the interaction between them, which could be ultimately modulating the individual susceptibility. In this study, focused on genes carefully selected by their biological relation with the disease, and using more than 1,000 cases and 1,000 representative controls from two independent Caucasian populations, we demonstrate that FOXE1 is associated with Papillary Thyroid Cancer susceptibility. Functional assays prove that rs1867277 behaves as a genetic causal variant that regulates FOXE1 expression through a complex transcription factor network. This approach constitutes a successful approximation to define thyroid cancer risk genes related to individual susceptibility, and identifies FOXE1 as a key factor for its development.

A fast carrier chromatin immunoprecipitation method applicable to microdissected tissue samples

Transcriptional regulation studies of CNS neurons are complicated by both cellular diversity and plasticity. Microdissection of specific functionally related populations of neurons can greatly reduce these issues, but typically excludes the use of many technologies due to tissue requirements, such as Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP), a powerful tool for studying in vivo protein-DNA interactions. We have developed a fast carrier ChIP (Fast CChIP) method for analyzing specific in vivo transcription factor-DNA interactions in as little as 0.2 mm(3) brain tissue. Using an antibody against phosphorylated cyclic-AMP response element binding (CREB) protein, we confirmed phospho-CREB (pCREB) binding at the c-fos gene promoter. Then we further demonstrated the applicability of Fast CChIP in determining hypertension-induced pCREB binding at the c-fos gene promoter in the rat nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), confirming CREB's role in mediating hypertension-induced c-fos expression. This method will be broadly applicable to individual brain nucleus and biopsy/surgical samples.

MAP kinase-mediated c-fos regulation relies on a histone acetylation relay switch

Gene activation is often associated with high levels of histone acetylation. Enhanced acetylation levels can promote the recruitment of further chromatin modifying complexes or the basal transcription machinery. Here, we have studied MAP kinase-mediated upregulation of c-fos and uncover a role for histone acetylation in promoting the recruitment of a second transcription factor, NFI. MAP kinase signaling to Elk-1 enhances the net histone acetylase activity associated with the c-fos promoter, which leads to changes in the acetylation state and structure of a promoter-proximal nucleosome, which allows NFI binding. Binding of NFI provides a permissive state for the recruitment of basal machinery and subsequent promoter activation. Our results provide insights into how MAP kinase signaling promotes inducible gene expression; phosphorylation of recipient transcription factors (primary effectors) triggers a HAT relay switch, which facilitates the recruitment of additional transcription factors (secondary effectors) through alteration of the local nucleosomal structure.

Modulation of UVB-induced and basal cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression by apigenin in mouse keratinocytes: Role of USF transcription factors

Apigenin is a bioflavonoid with chemopreventive activity against UV- or chemically-induced mouse skin tumors. To further explore the mechanism of apigenin's chemopreventive activity, we determined whether apigenin inhibited UVB-mediated induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in mouse and human keratinocytes. Apigenin suppressed the UVB-induced increase in COX-2 protein and mRNA in mouse and human keratinocyte cell lines. UVB radiation of keratinocytes transfected with a mouse COX-2 promoter/luciferase reporter plasmid resulted in a threefold increase in transcription from the promoter, and apigenin inhibited the UV-induced promoter activity at doses of 5-50 microM. Transient transfections with COX-2 promoter deletion constructs and COX-2 promoter constructs containing mutations in specific enhancer elements indicated that the effects of UVB required intact Ebox and ATF/CRE response elements. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with supershifting antibodies were used to identify USF-1, USF-2, and CREB as proteins binding to the ATF/CRE-Ebox responsive element of the COX-2 promoter. Keratinocytes co-transfected with the COX-2 luciferase reporter and a USF-2 expression vector, alone or in combination with a USF-1 expression vector, exhibited enhanced promoter activity in both UVB-irradiated and nonirradiated cultures. However, COX-2 promoter activity was inhibited in keratinocytes co-transfected with USF-1 alone. Finally, we present data showing that the suppressive effect of apigenin on COX-2 expression could be reversed by co-expression of USF-1 and USF-2. These results suggest that one pathway by which apigenin inhibits COX-2 expression is through modulation of USF transcriptional activity.

Intracellular monovalent ions as second messengers

It is generally accepted that electrochemical gradients of monovalent ions across the plasma membrane, created by the coupled function of pumps, carriers and channels, are involved in the maintenance of resting and action membrane potential, cell volume adjustment, intracellular Ca(2+ )handling and accumulation of glucose, amino acids, nucleotides and other precursors of macromolecular synthesis. In the present review, we summarize data showing that side-by-side with these classic functions, modulation of the intracellular concentration of monovalent ions in a physiologically reasonable range is sufficient to trigger numerous cellular responses, including changes in enzyme activity, gene expression, protein synthesis, cell proliferation and death. Importantly, the engagement of monovalent ions in regulation of the above-listed cellular responses occurs at steps upstream of Ca(2+) (i) and other key intermediates of intracellular signaling, which allows them to be considered as second messengers. With the exception of HCO (3) (-) -sensitive soluble adenylyl cyclase, the molecular origin of sensors involved in the function of monovalent ions as second messengers remains unknown.

The death of cardiotonic steroid-treated cells: evidence of Na+i,K+i-independent H+i-sensitive signalling

Na/K-ATPase is the only known target of cardiotonic steroids (CTS) identified in plants, amphibians and later on in several mammalian species, including human. We focus our review on recent data implicating CTS in the tissue-specific regulation of cell survival and death. In vascular smooth muscle cells, CTS inhibited cell death triggered by apoptotic stimuli via a novel Na+i-mediated, Ca2+i-independent mechanism of expression of antiapoptotic genes, including mortalin. In contrast, exposure to CTS in vascular endothelial and renal epithelial cells led to cell death, showing combined markers of apoptosis and necrosis. This mode of cell death, termed oncosis, is caused by CTS interaction with Na/K-ATPase but is independent of the inhibition of Na/K-ATPase-mediated ion fluxes and inversion of the [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio. The intermediates of intracellular signalling involved in Na+i, K+i-independent oncosis of CTS-treated cells remain unknown. Recently, we found that this mode of cell death can be protected by modest intracellular acidification via the expression of H+i-sensitive genes. The molecular origin of intracellular Na+ and H+ sensor involvement in the development of apoptosis and oncosis is currently under investigation.

Mitogen regulated induction of FRA-1 proto-oncogene is controlled by the transcription factors binding to both serum and TPA response elements

FRA-1, a member of the FOS family of transcription factors, is overexpressed in a variety of human tumors, and contributes to tumor progression. In addition to mitogens, various toxicants and carcinogens persistently induce FRA-1 expression in vitro and in vivo. Although the mitogen induced expression of c-FOS is relatively well understood, it is poorly defined in the case of FRA-1. Our recent analysis of the FRA-1 promoter has shown a critical role for a TRE located at -318 in mediating the TPA-induced expression. The -379 to -283 bp promoter segment containing a critical TRE (-318), however, is insufficient for the induction of FRA-1 promoter. Here, we show that a 40-bp (-276/-237) segment, comprising a TCF binding site and the CArG box (collectively known as serum response element, SRE), and an ATF site, is also necessary for the FRA-1 induction by TPA and EGF. Interestingly, the -283 to +32 bp FRA-1 promoter fragment containing an SRE and an ATF site alone was also insufficient to confer TPA sensitivity to a reporter gene. However, in association with the -318 TRE, the SRE and ATF sites imparted a strong TPA-inducibility to the reporter. Similarly, EGF also required these motifs for the full induction of this gene. Using ChIP assays we show that, in contrast to c-Jun, SRF, Elk1, ATF1 and CREB proteins bind to SRE and ATF sites of the FRA-1 promoter, constitutively. RNAi-mediated knockdown of endogenous SRF, ELK1 and c-JUN protein expression significantly reduced TPA-stimulated FRA-1 promoter activity. Thus, a bipartite enhancer formed by an upstream TRE and the downstream SRE and ATF sites and the cognate factors is necessary and sufficient for the regulation of FRA-1 in response to mitogens.

The elastin-laminin receptor functions as a mechanotransducer in vascular smooth muscle

Laminin and elastin, two major constituents of the extracellular matrix, bind to cells via the elastin-laminin receptor (ELR), a receptor distinct from integrins. Despite the ubiquitous nature of elastin and laminin in the matrix, the consequences of activation of the ELR are unknown. Because integrins are capable of mechanosensitive transduction, we hypothesized that the ELR would exert a similar function. Accordingly, we examined the effects of cyclical stretch on canine coronary smooth muscle gene expression and proliferation that are mediated by the ELR. Northern blot analyses showed a 31% decrease in serum-induced expression of c-fos when cells were stretched for 30 min on elastin, but no change in expression was observed on collagen. Serum-induced proliferation of stretched cells was markedly attenuated on elastin when compared with collagen. Both the molecular (decreased c-fos expression) and biological (decreased proliferation) responses on elastin were restored after blockade of the ELR with the elastin fragment hexapeptide (valine-glycine-valine-alanine-proline-glycine, VGVAPG). The inhibition was specific for this peptide, as another hydrophobic hexapeptide (valine-serine-leucine-serine-proline-glycine, VSLSPG) did not inhibit the responses. These results demonstrate that cyclic stretch inhibits c-fos expression and proliferation of coronary vascular smooth muscle cells grown on elastin matrixes, a mechanosensitive response that is transduced by the ELR.

Potassium chloride depolarization mediates CREB phosphorylation in striatal neurons in an NMDA receptor-dependent manner

Potassium chloride (KCl)-depolarization has been used to study the properties of L-type Ca2+ channel-mediated signal transduction in hippocampal neurons. Calcium influx through L-type Ca2+ channels stimulates a second messenger pathway that transactivates genes under the regulatory control of the Ca2+-and cyclic AMP-responsive element (CRE). Here, we show that in striatal neurons, but not in hippocampal neurons, CRE binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and CRE-mediated gene expression after KCl-depolarization depends on functional NMDA receptors. This difference in NMDA receptor dependence is not due to different properties of L-type Ca2+ channels in either neuronal type, but rather to different neuron-intrinsic properties. Despite this variation, the second messenger pathway activated by KCl requires Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) kinase for CREB phosphorylation in both neuronal types. We conclude that depolarization by KCl works differently in striatal and hippocampal neurons.

Regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling networks by G protein-coupled receptors

The family of receptors that transmit signals through the activation of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) constitutes the largest group of cell surface proteins involved in signal transduction. These receptors participate in a broad range of important biological functions and are implicated in a number of disease states. More than half of all drugs currently available influence G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These receptors affect the generation of small molecules that act as intracellular mediators or second messengers, and can regulate a highly interconnected network of biochemical routes controlling the activity of several members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily. They include extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 (or p44(MAPK) and p42(MAPK)), c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases (JNKs), ERK5 (or BMK), and p38 MAPKs, including p38alpha (or CSBP-1), p38beta, p38gamma (or SAPK3 or ERK6), and p38delta?(or SAPK4). This review will focus on the molecular mechanisms by which GPCRs signal to the nucleus through this intricate network of second messenger-generating systems and MAPK signaling pathways, thereby affecting the expression of genes whose products influence many biological processes, including normal and aberrant cell growth.

Regulation of c-fos expression by RNA polymerase elongation competence

The molecular mechanisms underlying transcription elongation and their role in gene regulation are poorly characterized in eukaryotes. A number of genes, however, have been proposed to be regulated at the level of transcription elongation, including c-myc, c-fos and c-myb. Here, we analyze the control of transcription elongation at the mouse c-fos gene at the nucleotide level in intact cells. We find that RNA polymerases are engaged in the promoter-proximal part of the gene in the absence of gene activation signals and mRNA synthesis. Importantly, we determine that the engaged RNA polymerases originate from a continuous initiation of transcription which, in the absence of gene activation signals, terminate close to the promoter. We also observe that the c-fos gene presents an active chromatin conformation, with the promoter and upstream regulatory sequences constitutively occupied by proteins, accounting for the continuous initiation of RNA polymerase complexes. We propose that activation of c-fos gene expression results primarily from the assembly of elongation-competent RNA polymerases that can transcribe the complete gene. Our results suggest that the engaged RNA polymerases found downstream of a number of other eukaryotic promoters may be associated with transcription termination of elongation-incompetent polymerases in the absence of activating signals.

Amphetamine and dopamine-induced immediate early gene expression in striatal neurons depends on postsynaptic NMDA receptors and calcium

Amphetamine and cocaine induce the expression of both immediate early genes (IEGs) and neuropeptide genes in rat striatum. Despite the demonstrated dependence of these effects on D1 dopamine receptors, which activate the cyclic AMP pathway, there are several reports that amphetamine and cocaine-induced IEG expression can be inhibited in striatum in vivo by NMDA receptor antagonists. We find that in vivo, the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 inhibits amphetamine induction of c-fos acutely and also prevents downregulation of IEG expression with chronic amphetamine administration. Such observations raise the question of whether dopamine/glutamate interactions occur at the level of corticostriatal and mesostriatal circuitry or within striatal neurons. Therefore, we studied dissociated striatal cultures in which midbrain and cortical presynaptic inputs are removed. In these cultures, we find that dopamine- or forskolin-mediated IEG induction requires Ca2+ entry via NMDA receptors but not via L-type Ca2+ channels. Moreover, blockade of NMDA receptors diminishes the ability of dopamine to induce phosphorylation of the cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein CREB. Although these results do not rule out a role for circuit-level dopamine/glutamate interactions, they demonstrate a requirement at the cellular level for interactions between the cyclic AMP and NMDA receptor pathways in dopamine-regulated gene expression in striatal neurons.

A metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist regulates neurotrophin messenger RNA in rat forebrain

We have examined the role of metabotropic glutamate receptor activation in regulating neurotrophin messenger RNA levels in the brain with the use of the selective agonist (1S,3R)-1-aminocy-clopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid. Intracerebroventricular injection of (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid into adult adult rats resulted in increased expression of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor messenger RNA in the hippocampal and pyriform cortex and decreased levels of neurotrophin-3 messenger RNA in the hippocampal dentate gyrus granule cell layer. C-fos messenger RNA levels were also increased throughout hippocampal and cortical subfields following (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid administration. (1S,3R)-1-Aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid-induced changes in messenger RNA levels occurred without behavioral seizures, yet these changes were similar in magnitude and time course to early changes in neurotrophin and c-fos messenger RNA levels observed following recurrent limbic seizures. In contrast quisqualate, a potent agonist of metabotropic as well as ionotropic kainate/alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate receptors, was only capable of inducing increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor messenger RNA at doses which produced recurrent motor seizures, and both effects were completely inhibited by the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione. Neurotrophin messenger RNA changes induced by (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid were also partially susceptible to 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione antagonism, as well as the specific N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydroxy-5H-dibenzo(a,d)-cyclohepten-5,10- iminedizoleipine. These results suggest that (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid-sensitive metabotropic glutamate receptors can dramatically increase the expression of neurotrophin and c-fos messenger RNAs in rat forebrain without producing significant behavioral trauma and that these influences may involve ionotropic glutamate receptors in certain brain regions.

Haloperidol-induced Fos expression in striatum is dependent upon transcription factor cyclic AMP response element binding protein

Haloperidol has been shown to induce rapid and transient expression of c-fos messenger RNA and Fos protein in striatal neurons via dopamine D2 receptors. Regulation of the c-fos gene by cyclic AMP and Ca2+ has been shown to be dependent on a DNA regulatory element within its promoter that binds the constitutively expressed transcription factor cyclic AMP response element binding protein. Cyclic AMP response element binding protein binds to an oligonucleotide containing the calcium/cyclic AMP response element of the c-fos promoter sequence in striatal cell extracts; the amount of binding is not regulated by haloperidol treatment. We have previously shown that haloperidol induces cyclic AMP response element binding protein phosphorylation in the striatum. Here we show by intrastriatal injection of antisense oligonucleotides that haloperidol-induced Fos expression is dependent on cyclic AMP response element binding protein. Intrastriatal injections of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides, in antisense orientation to cyclic AMP response element binding protein messenger RNA, reduce levels of cyclic AMP response element binding protein and completely prevent haloperidol-mediated induction of Fos. Oligonucleotides in sense orientation have no such effect. We observed a markedly different time course of the Fos protein inhibition by cyclic AMP response element binding protein antisense oligonucleotides compared to c-fos antisense oligonucleotides. This most likely reflects the different half-lives of c-fos and cyclic AMP response element binding protein messenger RNA and proteins. Neither cyclic AMP response element binding protein nor c-fos antisense oligonucleotide injection reduced c-Jun immunostaining in the striatum. We conclude that haloperidol induces Fos via transcription factor cyclic AMP response element binding protein.

Multiple cis-acting elements of the proximal promoter region are required for basal level transcription of the H1(0) histone gene

Basal level transcription of the mouse histone H1(0) gene is mediated by 531 base pairs of the promoter region. Deletion of the most distal upstream 80 bp of this fragment reduces transcription to very low values. By in vitro footprinting we demonstrate now that multiple factors bind to the DNA fragment localized between the 80 bp and the cap nucleotide. In addition to the presence of motifs for the binding of SP1, H1-box, H4TF-2 and TATA-box-factors, other not yet described protein-binding elements were identified. Internal deletions in the wild type promoter enclosing these motifs strongly restrict transcription. Furthermore, when one of these motifs was modified by site-directed mutagenesis a strong impairment of transcription followed. Thus for basal level transcription, in addition to the 80 bp distal fragment, cis-acting elements localized in the 450 bp proximal promoter region are required.

Affinity purification of histidine-tagged proteins transiently produced in HeLa cells

In order to produce eukaryotic proteins in a functional state, it is often necessary to use eukaryotic instead of prokaryotic expression systems. We have designed vectors which can be employed to express either N- or C-terminally histidine-tagged proteins in transiently transfected eukaryotic cells. The histidine tag allows the rapid enrichment of these proteins by metal chelate affinity chromatography in a native and functional state. Yields of up to 5 micrograms protein/5 x 10(7) cells were achieved.