FKLF, a novel Krüppel-like factor that activates human embryonic and fetal beta-like globin genes

Activation of γ-globin expression by a common variant disrupting IKAROS-binding motif in β-thalassemia

Programmed silencing of γ-globin genes in adult erythropoiesis is mediated by several chromatin remodeling complexes, which determine the stage-specific genome architecture in this region. Identification of cis- or trans-acting mutations contributing to the diverse extent of fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) might illustrate the underlying mechanism of γ-β-globin switching. Here, we recruit a cohort of 1142 β-thalassemia patients and dissect the natural variants in the whole β-globin gene cluster through a targeted next-generation sequencing panel. A previously unreported SNP rs7948668, predicted to disrupt the binding motif of IKAROS as a key component of chromatin remodeling complexes, is identified to be significantly associated with higher levels of Hb F and age at onset. Gene-editing on this SNP leads to the elevation of Hb F in both HUDEP-2 and primary CD34+ cells while the extent of elevation is amplified in the context of β-thalassemia mutations, indicating epistasis effects of the SNP in the regulation of Hb F. Finally, we perform ChIP-qPCR and 4C assays to prove that this variant disrupts the binding motif of IKAROS, leading to enhanced competitiveness of HBG promoters to locus control regions. This study highlights the significance of common regulatory SNPs and provides potential targets for treating β-hemoglobinopathy.

Machine learning-based approaches for identifying human blood cells harboring CRISPR-mediated fetal chromatin domain ablations

Two common hemoglobinopathies, sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia, arise from genetic mutations within the β-globin gene. In this work, we identified a 500-bp motif (Fetal Chromatin Domain, FCD) upstream of human ϒ-globin locus and showed that the removal of this motif using CRISPR technology reactivates the expression of ϒ-globin. Next, we present two different cell morphology-based machine learning approaches that can be used identify human blood cells (KU-812) that harbor CRISPR-mediated FCD genetic modifications. Three candidate models from the first approach, which uses multilayer perceptron algorithm (MLP 20-26, MLP26-18, and MLP 30-26) and flow cytometry-derived cellular data, yielded 0.83 precision, 0.80 recall, 0.82 accuracy, and 0.90 area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve when predicting the edited cells. In comparison, the candidate model from the second approach, which uses deep learning (T2D5) and DIC microscopy-derived imaging data, performed with less accuracy (0.80) and ROC AUC (0.87). We envision that equivalent machine learning-based models can complement currently available genotyping protocols for specific genetic modifications which result in morphological changes in human cells.

Insight of fetal to adult hemoglobin switch: Genetic modulators and therapeutic targets

The clinical heterogeneity of β-hemoglobinopathies is so variable that it prompted the researchers to identify the genetic modulators of these diseases. Though the primary modulator is the type of β-globin mutation which affects the degree of β-globin chain synthesis, the co-inheritance of α-thalassemia and the fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels also act as potent secondary genetic modifiers. As elevated HbF levels ameliorate the severity of hemoglobinopathies, in this review, the genetic modulators lying within and outside the β-globin gene cluster with their plausible role in governing the HbF levels have been summarised, which in future may act as potential therapeutic targets.

The Distinct Roles of Transcriptional Factor KLF11 in Normal Cell Growth Regulation and Cancer as a Mediator of TGF-β Signaling Pathway

KLF11 (Krüppel-like factor 11) belongs to the family of Sp1/Krüppel-like zinc finger transcription factors that play important roles in a variety of cell types and tissues. KLF11 was initially described as a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) inducible immediate early gene (TIEG). KLF11 promotes the effects of TGF-β on cell growth control by influencing the TGFβ–Smads signaling pathway and regulating the transcription of genes that induce either apoptosis or cell cycle arrest. In carcinogenesis, KLF11 can show diverse effects. Its function as a tumor suppressor gene can be suppressed by phosphorylation of its binding domains via oncogenic pathways. However, KLF 11 can itself also show tumor-promoting effects and seems to have a crucial role in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition process. Here, we review the current knowledge about the function of KLF11 in cell growth regulation. We focus on its transcriptional regulatory function and its influence on the TGF-β signaling pathway. We further discuss its possible role in mediating crosstalk between various signaling pathways in normal cell growth and in carcinogenesis.

Krüppel-like factors in mammalian stem cells and development

Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of zinc-finger transcription factors that are found in many species. Recent studies have shown that KLFs play a fundamental role in regulating diverse biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, development and regeneration. Of note, several KLFs are also crucial for maintaining pluripotency and, hence, have been linked to reprogramming and regenerative medicine approaches. Here, we review the crucial functions of KLFs in mammalian embryogenesis, stem cell biology and regeneration, as revealed by studies of animal models. We also highlight how KLFs have been implicated in human diseases and outline potential avenues for future research.

Screening of Transcription Factors Involved in Fetal Hemoglobin Regulation Using Phylogenetic Footprinting

Fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) is an important genetic modulator of the beta-hemoglobinopathies. The regulation of Hb F levels is influenced by transcription factors. We used phylogenetic footprinting to screen transcription factors that have binding sites in HBG1 and HBG2 genes’ noncoding regions in order to know the genetic determinants of the Hb F expression. Our analysis showed 354 conserved motifs in the noncoding regions of HBG1 gene and 231 motifs in the HBG2 gene between the analyzed species. Of these motifs, 13 showed relation to Hb F regulation: cell division cycle-5 (CDC5), myelo-blastosis viral oncogene homolog (c-MYB), transcription factor CP2 (TFCP2), GATA binding protein 1 (GATA-1), GATA binding protein 2 (GATA-2), nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2), nuclear transcription factor Y (NF-Y), runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX-1), T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia 1 (TAL-1), YY1 transcription factor (YY1), beta protein 1 (BP1), chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II (COUP-TFII), and paired box 1 (PAX-1). The last three motifs were conserved only in the noncoding regions of the HBG1 gene. The understanding of genetic elements involved in the maintenance of high Hb F levels may provide new efficient therapeutic strategies in the beta-hemoglobinopathies treatment, promoting reduction in clinical complications of these genetic disorders.

Functional Analyses of Transcription Factor Binding Sites that Differ between Present-Day and Archaic Humans

We analyze 25 previously identified transcription factor binding sites that carry DNA sequence changes that are present in all or nearly all present-day humans, yet occur in the ancestral state in Neandertals and Denisovans, the closest evolutionary relatives of humans. When the ancestral and derived forms of the transcription factor binding sites are tested using reporter constructs in 3 neuronal cell lines, the activity of 12 of the derived versions of transcription factor binding sites differ from the respective ancestral variants. This suggests that the majority of this class of evolutionary differences between modern humans and Neandertals may affect gene expression in at least some tissue or cell type.

Human fetal globin gene expression is regulated by LYAR

Human globin gene expression during development is modulated by transcription factors in a stage-dependent manner. However, the mechanisms controlling the process are still largely unknown. In this study, we found that a nuclear protein, LYAR (human homologue of mouse Ly-1 antibody reactive clone) directly interacted with the methyltransferase PRMT5 which triggers the histone H4 Arg3 symmetric dimethylation (H4R3me2s) mark. We found that PRMT5 binding on the proximal γ-promoter was LYAR-dependent. The LYAR DNA-binding motif (GGTTAT) was identified by performing CASTing (cyclic amplification and selection of targets) experiments. Results of EMSA and ChIP assays confirmed that LYAR bound to a DNA region corresponding to the 5′-untranslated region of the γ-globin gene. We also found that LYAR repressed human fetal globin gene expression in both K562 cells and primary human adult erythroid progenitor cells. Thus, these data indicate that LYAR acts as a novel transcription factor that binds the γ-globin gene, and is essential for silencing the γ-globin gene.

Regulation of Gγ-globin gene by ATF2 and its associated proteins through the cAMP-response element

The upstream Gγ-globin cAMP-response element (G-CRE) plays an important role in regulating Gγ-globin expression through binding of ATF2 and its DNA-binding partners defined in this study. ATF2 knockdown resulted in a significant reduction of γ-globin expression accompanied by decreased ATF2 binding to the G-CRE. By contrast, stable ATF2 expression in K562 cells increased γ-globin transcription which was reduced by ATF2 knockdown. Moreover, a similar effect of ATF2 on γ-globin expression was observed in primary erythroid progenitors. To understand the role of ATF2 in γ-globin expression, chromatographically purified G-CRE/ATF2-interacting proteins were subjected to mass spectrometry analysis; major binding partners included CREB1, cJun, Brg1, and histone deacetylases among others. Immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated interaction of these proteins with ATF2 and in vivo GCRE binding in CD34⁺ cells undergoing erythroid differentiation which was correlated with γ-globin expression during development. These results suggest synergism between developmental stage-specific recruitments of the ATF2 protein complex and expression of γ-globin during erythropoiesis. Microarray studies in K562 cells support ATF2 plays diverse roles in hematopoiesis and chromatin remodeling.

Comprehensive characterization of erythroid-specific enhancers in the genomic regions of human Krüppel-like factors

Background

Mapping of DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHSs) is a powerful tool to experimentally identify cis-regulatory elements (CREs). Among CREs, enhancers are abundant and predominantly act in driving cell-specific gene expression. Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of eukaryotic transcription factors. Several KLFs have been demonstrated to play important roles in hematopoiesis. However, transcriptional regulation of KLFs via CREs, particularly enhancers, in erythroid cells has been poorly understood.

Results

In this study, 23 erythroid-specific or putative erythroid-specific DHSs were identified by DNase-seq in the genomic regions of 17 human KLFs, and their enhancer activities were evaluated using dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assay. Of the 23 erythroid-specific DHSs, the enhancer activities of 15 DHSs were comparable to that of the classical enhancer HS2 in driving minimal promoter (minP). Fifteen DHSs, some overlapping those that increased minP activities, acted as enhancers when driving the corresponding KLF promoters (KLF-Ps) in erythroid cells; of these, 10 DHSs were finally characterized as erythroid-specific KLF enhancers. These 10 erythroid-specific KLF enhancers were further confirmed using chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to sequencing (ChIP-seq) data-based bioinformatic and biochemical analyses.

Conclusion

Our present findings provide a feasible strategy to extensively identify gene- and cell-specific enhancers from DHSs obtained by high-throughput sequencing, which will help reveal the transcriptional regulation and biological functions of genes in some specific cells.

A feedback loop consisting of microRNA 23a/27a and the β-like globin suppressors KLF3 and SP1 regulates globin gene expression

The developmental stage-specific expression of the human β-like globin genes has been studied for decades, and many transcriptional factors as well as other important cis elements have been identified. However, little is known about the microRNAs that potentially regulate β-like globin gene expression directly or indirectly during erythropoiesis. In this study, we show that microRNA 23a (miR-23a) and miR-27a promote β-like globin gene expression in K562 cells and primary erythroid cells through targeting of the transcription factors KLF3 and SP1. Intriguingly, miR-23a and miR-27a further enhance the transcription of β-like globin genes through repression of KLF3 and SP1 binding to the β-like globin gene locus during erythroid differentiation. Moreover, KLF3 can bind to the promoter of the miR-23a∼27a∼24-2 cluster and suppress this microRNA cluster expression. Hence, a positive feedback loop comprised of KLF3 and miR-23a promotes the expression of β-like globin genes and the miR-23a∼27a∼24-2 cluster during erythropoiesis.

Gene coexpression networks reveal key drivers of phenotypic divergence in lake whitefish

A functional understanding of processes involved in adaptive divergence is one of the awaiting opportunities afforded by high-throughput transcriptomic technologies. Functional analysis of coexpressed genes has succeeded in the biomedical field in identifying key drivers of disease pathways. However, in ecology and evolutionary biology, functional interpretation of transcriptomic data is still limited. Here, we used Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to identify modules of coexpressed genes in muscle and brain tissue of a lake whitefish backcross progeny. Modules were connected to gradients of known adaptive traits involved in the ecological speciation process between benthic and limnetic ecotypes. Key drivers, that is, hub genes of functional modules related to reproduction, growth, and behavior were identified, and module preservation was assessed in natural populations. Using this approach, we identified modules of coexpressed genes involved in phenotypic divergence and their key drivers, and further identified a module part specifically rewired in the backcross progeny. Functional analysis of transcriptomic data can significantly contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying ecological speciation. Our findings point to bone morphogenetic protein and calcium signaling as common pathways involved in coordinated evolution of trophic behavior, trophic morphology (gill rakers), and reproduction. Results also point to pathways implicating hemoglobins and constitutive stress response (HSP70) governing growth in lake whitefish.

Selective gene-expression profiling of migratory tumor cells in vivo predicts clinical outcome in breast cancer patients

Introduction

Metastasis of breast cancer is the main cause of death in patients. Previous genome-wide studies have identified gene-expression patterns correlated with cancer patient outcome. However, these were derived mostly from whole tissue without respect to cell heterogeneity. In reality, only a small subpopulation of invasive cells inside the primary tumor is responsible for escaping and initiating dissemination and metastasis. When whole tissue is used for molecular profiling, the expression pattern of these cells is masked by the majority of the noninvasive tumor cells. Therefore, little information is available about the crucial early steps of the metastatic cascade: migration, invasion, and entry of tumor cells into the systemic circulation.

Methods

In the past, we developed an in vivo invasion assay that can capture specifically the highly motile tumor cells in the act of migrating inside living tumors. Here, we used this assay in orthotopic xenografts of human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells to isolate selectively the migratory cell subpopulation of the primary tumor for gene-expression profiling. In this way, we derived a gene signature specific to breast cancer migration and invasion, which we call the Human Invasion Signature (HIS).

Results

Unsupervised analysis of the HIS shows that the most significant upregulated gene networks in the migratory breast tumor cells include genes regulating embryonic and tissue development, cellular movement, and DNA replication and repair. We confirmed that genes involved in these functions are upregulated in the migratory tumor cells with independent biological repeats. We also demonstrate that specific genes are functionally required for in vivo invasion and hematogenous dissemination in MDA-MB-231, as well as in patient-derived breast tumors. Finally, we used statistical analysis to show that the signature can significantly predict risk of breast cancer metastasis in large patient cohorts, independent of well-established prognostic parameters.

Conclusions

Our data provide novel insights into, and reveal previously unknown mediators of, the metastatic steps of invasion and dissemination in human breast tumors in vivo. Because migration and invasion are the early steps of metastatic progression, the novel markers that we identified here might become valuable prognostic tools or therapeutic targets in breast cancer.

Krüppel-like Factor 4 activates HBG gene expression in primary erythroid cells

The SP1/Krüppel-like Factor (SP1/KLF) family of transcription factors plays a role in diverse cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation and control of gene transcription. The discovery of KLF1 (EKLF), a key regulator of HBB (β-globin) gene expression, expanded our understanding of the role of KLFs in erythropoiesis. In this study, we investigated a mechanism of HBG (γ-globin) regulation by KLF4. siRNA-mediated gene silencing and enforced expression of KLF4 in K562 cells substantiated the ability of KLF4 to positively regulate endogenous HBG gene transcription. The physiological significance of this finding was confirmed in primary erythroid cells, where KLF4 knockdown at day 11 significantly attenuated HBG mRNA levels and enforced expression at day 28 stimulated the silenced HBG genes. In vitro binding characterization using the γ-CACCC and β-CACCC probes demonstrated KLF4 preferentially binds the endogenous γ-CACCC, while CREB binding protein (CREBBP) binding was not selective. Co-immunoprecipitation studies confirmed protein-protein interaction between KLF4 and CREBBP. Furthermore, sequential chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed co-localization of both factors in the γ-CACCC region. Subsequent luciferase reporter studies demonstrated that KLF4 trans-activated HBG promoter activity and that CREBBP enforced expression resulted in gene repression. Our data supports a model of antagonistic interaction of KLF4/CREBBP trans-factors in HBG regulation.

Histone deacetylase 9 activates gamma-globin gene expression in primary erythroid cells

Strategies to induce fetal hemoglobin (HbF) synthesis for the treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies probably involve protein modifications by histone deacetylases (HDACs) that mediate γ-globin gene regulation. However, the role of individual HDACs in globin gene expression is not very well understood; thus, the focus of our study was to identify HDACs involved in γ-globin activation. K562 erythroleukemia cells treated with the HbF inducers hemin, trichostatin A, and sodium butyrate had significantly reduced mRNA levels of HDAC9 and its splice variant histone deacetylase-related protein. Subsequently, HDAC9 gene knockdown produced dose-dependent γ-globin gene silencing over an 80-320 nm range. Enforced expression with the pTarget-HDAC9 vector produced a dose-dependent 2.5-fold increase in γ-globin mRNA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, ChIP assays showed HDAC9 binding in vivo in the upstream Gγ-globin gene promoter region. To determine the physiological relevance of these findings, human primary erythroid progenitors were treated with HDAC9 siRNA; we observed 40 and 60% γ-globin gene silencing in day 11 (early) and day 28 (late) progenitors. Moreover, enforced HDAC9 expression increased γ-globin mRNA levels by 2.5-fold with a simultaneous 7-fold increase in HbF. Collectively, these data support a positive role for HDAC9 in γ-globin gene regulation.

Mammalian Krüppel-like factors in health and diseases

The Krüppel-like factor (KLF) family of transcription factors regulates diverse biological processes that include proliferation, differentiation, growth, development, survival, and responses to external stress. Seventeen mammalian KLFs have been identified, and numerous studies have been published that describe their basic biology and contribution to human diseases. KLF proteins have received much attention because of their involvement in the development and homeostasis of numerous organ systems. KLFs are critical regulators of physiological systems that include the cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, hematological, and immune systems and are involved in disorders such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, KLFs play an important role in reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and maintaining the pluripotent state of embryonic stem cells. As research on KLF proteins progresses, additional KLF functions and associations with disease are likely to be discovered. Here, we review the current knowledge of KLF proteins and describe common attributes of their biochemical and physiological functions and their pathophysiological roles.

Role of the GATA-1/FOG-1/NuRD pathway in the expression of human beta-like globin genes

The human beta-globin genes are expressed in a developmentally controlled fashion. Studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying the stage-specific regulation of globin genes have been fueled by the clinical benefit of elevated fetal gamma-globin expression in patients with sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. Recent reports suggested a role of the hematopoietic transcription factor GATA-1, its cofactor FOG-1, and the associated chromatin remodeling complex NuRD in the developmental silencing of HBG1 and HBG2 gene expression. To examine whether FOG-1 via NuRD controls HBG1 and HBG2 silencing in vivo, we created mice in which the FOG-1/NuRD complex is disrupted (A. Miccio et al., EMBO J. 29:442-456, 2010) and crossed these with animals carrying the entire human beta-globin gene locus as a transgene. We found that the FOG-1/NuRD interaction is dispensable for the silencing of human HBG1 and HBG2 expression. In addition, mutant animals displayed normal silencing of the endogenous embryonic globin genes. In contrast, a significant reduction of adult-type human and murine globin gene expression was found in adult bone marrows of mutant animals. These results suggest that, unexpectedly, NuRD is required for FOG-1-dependent activation of adult-type globin gene expression but is dispensable for human gamma-globin silencing in vivo.

Regulation of the human HBA genes by KLF4 in erythroid cell lines

KLF1/EKLF and related Krueppel-like factors (KLFs) are variably implicated in the regulation of the HBB-like globin genes. Prompted by the observation that four KLF sites are distributed in the human alpha-globin gene (HBA) promoter, we investigated if KLFs could also act to modulate the expression of the HBA genes. Among the KLFs tested, only KLF4/GKLF bound specifically to three out of four alpha-globin KLF sites. The occupancy of the same sites by KLF4 in vivo was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays with KLF4-specific antibodies. In luciferase reporter assays in MEL cells, high levels of the wild type HBA promoter, but not mutated promoters bearing point mutations that disrupted KLF4-DNA binding, were transactivated by over-expression of KLF4. In K562 cells, induced KLF4 expression with a Tet-off regulated cassette stimulated the expression of the endogenous HBA genes. In a complementary assay in the same cell line, knocking down KLF4 with lentiviral delivered sh-RNAs caused a parallel decrease in the transcription of the HBA genes. All experiments combined support a regulatory role of KLF4 in the control of HBA gene expression.

Role of STAT3 and GATA-1 interactions in gamma-globin gene expression

OBJECTIVE

We previously demonstrated a silencing role for signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) in gamma-globin gene regulation in primary erythroid cells. Recently, GATA-1, a key transcription factor involved in hematopoietic cell development, was shown to directly inhibit STAT3 activity in vivo. Therefore, we completed studies to determine if interactions between these two factors influence gamma-globin gene expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was used to ascertain in vivo protein binding at the gamma-globin 5' untranslated region (5'UTR); protein-protein interactions were examined by coimmunoprecipitation analysis. In vitro protein-DNA binding were completed using surface plasmon resonance and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Activity of a luciferase gamma-globin promoter reporter and levels of gamma-globin messenger RNA and fetal hemoglobin in stable K562 cell lines overexpressing STAT3 and GATA-1, were used to determine the influence of the STAT3/GATA-1 interaction on gamma-globin gene expression.

RESULTS

We observed interaction between STAT3 and GATA-1 in K562 and mouse erythroleukemia cells in vivo at the gamma-globin 5'UTR by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay performed with a 41-base pair gamma-globin DNA probe (gamma41) demonstrated the presence of STAT3 and GATA-1 proteins in complexes assembled at the gamma-globin 5'UTR. A consensus STAT3 DNA probe inhibited GATA-1-binding in a concentration-dependent manner, and the converse was also true. Enforced STAT3 expression augmented its binding at the gamma-globin 5'UTR in vivo and silenced gamma-promoter-driven luciferase activity. Stable enforced STAT3 expression in K562 cells reduced endogenous gamma-globin messenger RNA level. This effect was reversed by GATA-1.

CONCLUSION

These data provide evidence that GATA-1 can reverse STAT3-mediated gamma-globin gene silencing in erythroid cells.

Identification of minimal promoter and genetic variants of Kruppel-like factor 11 gene and association analysis with type 2 diabetes in Japanese

Genetic analysis of the KLF11 gene revealed two rare variants, A347S and T220M, segregating in families with early-onset type 2 diabetes, and one frequent polymorphic Q62R variant significantly associated with type 2 diabetes in Northern Europeans. Furthermore, it has been reported that over-expression of KLF11 has a deleterious effect on insulin promoter activity. Thus, an altered expression level of KLF11 may contribute to the occurrence of type 2 diabetes. To investigate the contribution of KLF11 to type 2 diabetes in Japanese, we surveyed the 5' flanking region of KLF11 by reporter assay and identified the minimal promoter region of the gene. The promoter region from -250 to +162 bp including five Sp1 binding sites showed basal promoter activity both in MIN6-m9 and HepG2 cells. We also examined the entire region of KLF11 to detect genetic variants. A total of 19 polymorphisms, six of which are novel, were identified, but none of them showed association with the occurrence of type 2 diabetes. Two of the identified polymorphisms, R29Q and S124F, are novel coding variants. Functional analyses of these variants were performed, and similarly reduced effects on transcriptional activities of insulin, catalase1, and the Smad7 gene were found. We conclude that variants of KLF11 are not a major factor in the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in Japanese. The promoter region of KLF11 identified in the present study should be useful in further elucidation of the transcriptional regulation mechanism of the gene and genetic analyses of type 2 diabetes.

Molecular pharmacological basis of the YiSui ShenXu Granule in beta-thalassemia therapy

OBJECTIVES

To study the molecular pharmacological basis of the YiSui ShenXu Granule, a complex prescription of the Chinese traditional medicine used to treat beta-thalassemia.

METHODS

Real-time quantitative PCR method had been applied to analyze the genes expression: gamma-globin, Ckit, EpoR, Spi, FKLF, GATA1 and GATA2 in K562 cell treated and untreated with this complex prescription and its each single herbal medicine.

RESULTS

The results showed that this complex prescription increased the gamma-globin, EpoR, Spi and FKLF expression and decreased the Ckit, GATA1 and GATA2 expression. And all single herbal medicines of this complex prescription could change some of those gene expressions, but not the same as the complex prescription. Even that, this study results indicated that the YiSui ShenXu Granule has its molecular pharmacological basis in treating beta-thalassemia.

Fetal hemoglobin chemical inducers for treatment of hemoglobinopathies

The switch from fetal ((G)gamma and (A)gamma) to adult (beta and delta) globin gene expression occurs at birth, leading to the gradual replacement of HbF with HbA. Genetic regulation of this switch has been studied for decades, and the molecular mechanisms underlying this developmental change in gene expression have been in part elucidated. The understanding of the developmental regulation of gamma-globin gene expression was paralleled by the identification of a series of chemical compounds able to reactivate HbF synthesis in vitro and in vivo in adult erythroid cells. Reactivation of HbF expression is an important therapeutic option in patients with hemoglobin disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia. These HbF inducers can be grouped in several classes based on their chemical structures and mechanisms of action. Clinical studies with some of these agents have shown that they were effective, in a part of patients, in ameliorating the clinical condition. The increase in HbF in response to these drugs varies among patients with beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease due to individual genetic determinants.

Mir-144 selectively regulates embryonic alpha-hemoglobin synthesis during primitive erythropoiesis

Precise transcriptional control of developmental stage-specific expression and switching of alpha- and beta-globin genes is significantly important to understand the general principles controlling gene expression and the pathogenesis of thalassemia. Although transcription factors regulating beta-globin genes have been identified, little is known about the microRNAs and trans-acting mechanism controlling alpha-globin genes transcription. Here, we show that an erythroid lineage-specific microRNA gene, miR-144, expressed at specific developmental stages during zebrafish embryogenesis, negatively regulates the embryonic alpha-globin, but not embryonic beta-globin, gene expression, through physiologically targeting klfd, an erythroid-specific Krüppel-like transcription factor. Klfd selectively binds to the CACCC boxes in the promoters of both alpha-globin and miR-144 genes to activate their transcriptions, thus forming a negative feedback circuitry to fine-tune the expression of embryonic alpha-globin gene. The selective effect of the miR-144-Klfd pathway on globin gene regulation may thereby constitute a novel therapeutic target for improving the clinical outcome of patients with thalassemia.

Levcromakalim and MgGDP activate small conductance ATP-sensitive K+ channels of K+ channel pore 6.1/sulfonylurea receptor 2A in pig detrusor smooth muscle cells: uncoupling of cAMP signal pathways

Pharmacological studies have suggested the existence of ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel as a therapeutic target in urinary bladders; however, electrical properties have not yet been shown. Patch-clamp techniques were applied to investigate the properties of K(ATP) channels in pig detrusor cells. In whole-cell configuration, levcromakalim, a K(ATP) channel opener, induced a long-lasting outward current in a concentration-dependent manner. The current-voltage curve of the levcromakalim-induced membrane current intersected at approximately -80 mV. This current was abolished by glibenclamide. Intracellular application of 0.1 mM GDP significantly enhanced the levcromakalim-induced membrane current, whereas cAMP did not. Furthermore, neurotransmitters related to cAMP signaling, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide, vasointestinal peptide, adenosine, and somatostatin, had little effect on the membrane current. In cell-attached configuration, levcromakalim activated K(+) channels with a unitary conductance of approximately 12 pS. When the patch configuration was changed to inside-out mode, the K(+) channel activity ran down. Subsequent application of 1 mM GDP reactivated the channels. The openings of the approximately 12 pS K(+) channels in the presence of 1 mM GDP was suppressed by ATP and glibenclamide. In reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, K(+) channel pore 6.1 and sulfonylurea receptor (SUR)2A were predominant in pig detrusor cells. The 12 pS K(+) channel activated by levcromakalim in pig detrusor smooth muscle cells is a K(ATP) channel. The predominant expression of SUR2A can account for the lack of effect of neurotransmitters related to cAMP.

Silencing of Agamma-globin gene expression during adult definitive erythropoiesis mediated by GATA-1-FOG-1-Mi2 complex binding at the -566 GATA site

Autonomous silencing of gamma-globin transcription is an important developmental regulatory mechanism controlling globin gene switching. An adult stage-specific silencer of the (A)gamma-globin gene was identified between -730 and -378 relative to the mRNA start site. A marked copy of the (A)gamma-globin gene inserted between locus control region 5' DNase I-hypersensitive site 1 and the epsilon-globin gene was transcriptionally silenced in adult beta-globin locus yeast artificial chromosome (beta-YAC) transgenic mice, but deletion of the 352-bp region restored expression. This fragment reduced reporter gene expression in K562 cells, and GATA-1 was shown to bind within this sequence at the -566 GATA site. Further, the Mi2 protein, a component of the NuRD complex, was observed in erythroid cells with low gamma-globin levels, whereas only a weak signal was detected when gamma-globin was expressed. Chromatin immunoprecipitation of fetal liver tissue from beta-YAC transgenic mice demonstrated that GATA-1, FOG-1, and Mi2 were recruited to the (A)gamma-globin -566 or (G)gamma-globin -567 GATA site when gamma-globin expression was low (day 18) but not when gamma-globin was expressed (day 12). These data suggest that during definitive erythropoiesis, gamma-globin gene expression is silenced, in part, by binding a protein complex containing GATA-1, FOG-1, and Mi2 at the -566/-567 GATA sites of the proximal gamma-globin promoters.

Screening for trans-acting factors and other factors involved in the activating or silencing of the gamma-globin gene during human ontogeny

Researchers hope to increase gamma-globin expression by controlling potential trans-acting factors that specifically activate the gamma-globin gene in fetuses or silence this gene in adults to potentially treat sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemias. To characterize genes encoding such factors, we analyzed the differential expression of mRNAs in erythroid induction cultures of CD34+ cells derived from normal adult bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, and bone marrow from a patient with heterocellular hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin. Using differential-display - reverse-transcription PCR analysis, we identified a number of genes with differential expression in the above-mentioned cells. The differential expression of some genes was also confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Our data provide important clues for identifying and validating trans-activators that activate the gamma-globin gene in fetuses, and trans-acting factors involved in silencing the gamma-globin gene in adults.

Human Krüppel-like factor 11 inhibits human proinsulin promoter activity in pancreatic beta cells

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The Krüppel-like factor 11 (KLF11; TIEG2), a pancreas-enriched Sp1-like transcription factor, is a known negative regulator of pancreatic exocrine cell growth. A recent study indicated KLF11-induced activation of the human proinsulin promoter (hInsP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the functional role of KLF11 in pancreatic beta cells.

RESULTS

Endogenous KLF11 mRNA expression was found in whole rat pancreas, human pancreatic islets and INS-1E beta cells and was profoundly reduced by high glucose in INS-1E. Cotransfections of INS-1E and beta-TC3 beta cells with a human (h)KLF11 expression plasmid and an hInsP-driven reporter plasmid resulted in a substantial dose-dependent and glucose-independent inhibition of proinsulin promoter activity. 5'-deletion of hInsP demonstrated that hKLF11 acts via DNA sequences upstream of -173 and requires the beta cell-specific transcription machinery, since hKLF11-mediated inhibition of promoter activity was abolished in HEK293 cells. Besides a previously described GC box, we further identified a CACCC box within the hInsP, both putative KLF11-binding motifs. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis (EMSA) verified binding of in vitro translated hKLF11 to the GC box, but neither hKLF11-induced inhibition nor basal hInsP activity was altered by mutation or 5'-deletion of the GC box. In contrast, CACCC box mutation substantially reduced basal promoter activity and partially diminished hKLF11 inhibition, although binding of in vitro translated hKLF11 to the CACCC box could not be verified by EMSA.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

In rodent beta cell lines, we demonstrate hKLF11overexpression-mediated inhibition [corrected] of human proinsulin gene expression and characterise a prominent role for the CACCC box in maintaining basal proinsulin promoter activity.

The transcription factor KLF11 can induce gamma-globin gene expression in the setting of in vivo adult erythropoiesis

Previous studies in a fetal erythroid cell line demonstrated that the transcription factor, Krüppel-like factor 11 (KLF11), could specifically induce transcription from a gamma-globin gene promoter, and that this induction was mediated through a specific canonical CACCC cis-DNA binding motif. We report here that ectopic expression of KLF11 can also induce fetal gamma-globin gene expression in the setting of adult erythropoiesis both in vitro and in vivo. Studies in an adult-stage murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cell line demonstrated that retrovirus vector-mediated transduction of KLF11 could increase both the amount of expression from a basally active, but not from a overtly silenced, recombinant gamma-globin transgene, as well as the frequency of cells expressing this transgene. A similar pattern of gamma-globin gene induction was also observed both in vitro and in vivo following KLF11 transduction of bone marrow from mice containing a basally active gamma-globin transgene. These studies provide the first evidence that ectopic expression of a transcription factor can induce gamma-globin gene expression in vivo during adult erythropoiesis.

Understanding mechanisms of gamma-globin gene regulation to develop strategies for pharmacological fetal hemoglobin induction

The developmental regulation of gamma-globin gene expression has shaped research efforts to establish therapeutic modalities for individuals affected with sickle cell disease (SCD). Fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) synthesis is high at birth, followed by a decline to adult levels by 10 months of age. The expression of gamma-globin is controlled by a developmentally regulated transcriptional program that is recapitulated during normal erythropoiesis in the adult bone marrow. It is known that naturally occurring mutations in the gamma-gene promoters cause persistent Hb F synthesis after birth, which ameliorates symptoms in SCD by inhibiting hemoglobin S polymerization and vaso-occlusion. Several pharmacological agents have been identified over the past 2 decades that reactivate gamma-gene transcription through different cellular systems. We will review the progress made in our understanding of molecular mechanisms that control gamma-globin expression and insights gained from Hb F-inducing agents that act through signal transduction pathways.

The Kruppel-like transcription factor KLF13 is a novel regulator of heart development

In humans, congenital heart defects occur in 1-2% of live birth, but the molecular mechanisms and causative genes remain unidentified in the majority of cases. We have uncovered a novel transcription pathway important for heart morphogenesis. We report that KLF13, a member of the Krüppel-like family of zinc-finger proteins, is expressed predominantly in the heart, binds evolutionarily conserved regulatory elements on cardiac promoters and activates cardiac transcription. KLF13 is conserved across species and knockdown of KLF13 in Xenopus embryos leads to atrial septal defects and hypotrabeculation similar to those observed in humans or mice with hypomorphic GATA-4 alleles. Physical and functional interaction with GATA-4, a dosage-sensitive cardiac regulator, provides a mechanistic explanation for KLF13 action in the heart. The data demonstrate that KLF13 is an important component of the transcription network required for heart development and suggest that KLF13 is a GATA-4 modifier; by analogy to other GATA-4 collaborators, mutations in KLF13 may be causative for congenital human heart disease.

Key role of Krüppel-like factor proteins in pancreatic cancer and other gastrointestinal neoplasias

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To describe recent studies on Krüppel-like factor transcription factors and their relationship with gastrointestinal neoplasias, in particular pancreatic cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Krüppel-like factor proteins are a subfamily of transcription factors characterized by the presence of a conserved DNA-binding domain comprising three Krüppel-like zinc fingers. Each distinct family member differs in its ability to regulate transcription, and, as a consequence, to influence cellular processes including cell growth and differentiation. Recently, a number of publications have provided evidence of the implication of Krüppel-like factor proteins in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis.

SUMMARY

This article will focus on the results of studies in the field published in the last year.

Short-chain fatty acids induce gamma-globin gene expression by displacement of a HDAC3-NCoR repressor complex

High-level induction of fetal (gamma) globin gene expression for therapy of beta-hemoglobinopathies likely requires local chromatin modification and dissociation of repressor complexes for gamma-globin promoter activation. A novel gamma-globin-inducing short-chain fatty acid derivative (SCFAD), RB7, which was identified through computational modeling, produced a 6-fold induction in a reporter assay that detects only strong inducers of the gamma-globin gene promoter and in cultured human erythroid progenitors. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms used by high-potency SCFADs, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays performed at the human gamma- and beta-globin gene promoters in GM979 cells and in erythroid progenitors demonstrate that RB7 and butyrate induce dissociation of HDAC3 (but not HDAC1 or HDAC2) and its adaptor protein NCoR, specifically from the gamma-globin gene promoter. A coincident and proportional recruitment of RNA polymerase II to the gamma-globin gene promoter was observed with exposure to these gamma-globin inducers. Knockdown of HDAC3 by siRNA induced transcription of the gamma-globin gene promoter, demonstrating that displacement of HDAC3 from the gamma-globin gene promoter by the SCFAD is sufficient to induce gamma-globin gene expression. These studies demonstrate new dynamic alterations in transcriptional regulatory complexes associated with SCFAD-induced activation of the gamma-globin gene and provide a specific molecular target for potential therapeutic intervention.

Alterations in expression and chromatin configuration of the alpha hemoglobin-stabilizing protein gene in erythroid Kruppel-like factor-deficient mice

Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF) is an erythroid zinc finger protein identified by its interaction with a CACCC sequence in the beta-globin promoter, where it establishes local chromatin structure permitting beta-globin gene transcription. We sought to identify other EKLF target genes and determine the chromatin status of these genes in the presence and absence of EKLF. We identified alpha hemoglobin-stabilizing protein (AHSP) by subtractive hybridization and demonstrated a 95 to 99.9% reduction in AHSP mRNA and the absence of AHSP in EKLF-deficient cells. Chromatin at the AHSP promoter from EKLF-deficient cells lacked a DNase I hypersensitive site and exhibited histone hypoacetylation across the locus compared to hyperacetylation of wild-type chromatin. Wild-type chromatin demonstrated a peak of EKLF binding over a promoter region CACCC box that differs from the EKLF consensus by a nucleotide. In mobility shift assays, the AHSP promoter CACCC site bound EKLF in a manner comparable to the beta-globin promoter CACCC site, indicating a broader recognition sequence for the EKLF consensus binding site. The AHSP promoter was transactivated by EKLF in K562 cells, which lack EKLF. These results support the hypothesis that EKLF acts as a transcription factor and a chromatin modulator for the AHSP and beta-globin genes and indicate that EKLF may play similar roles for other erythroid genes.

Functional study of transcription factor KLF11 by targeted gene inactivation

Sp1/Krüppel-like factor (KLF) family of transcription factors regulates diverse biological processes including cell growth, differentiation, and development through modulation of gene expression. This family of factors regulates transcription positively and negatively by binding to the GC and GT/CACCC boxes in the promoter through their highly conserved three zinc finger domains. Although the molecular mechanism of gene regulation by this family of proteins has been well studied, their exact role in growth and development in vivo remains largely unknown. KLF11 has been implicated in the regulation of cell growth and gene expression. To determine the physiological function of KLF11, we generated KLF11-null mice by gene-targeting technology. Homologous KLF11(-/-) mice were bred normally and were fertile. Hematopoiesis at all stages of development was normal in the KLF11(-/-) mice. There was no effect on globin gene expression. These mice lived as long as the wild-type mice without evident pathological defects. Thus, despite its cell growth inhibition and transcriptional regulation functions observed when transiently or stably expressed in cultured cells in vitro, the results from genetic knockout suggest that KLF11 is not absolutely required for hematopoiesis, growth, and development.

"Maturational" globin switching in primary primitive erythroid cells

Mammals have 2 distinct erythroid lineages. The primitive erythroid lineage originates in the yolk sac and generates a cohort of large erythroblasts that terminally differentiate in the bloodstream. The definitive erythroid lineage generates smaller enucleated erythrocytes that become the predominant cell in fetal and postnatal circulation. These lineages also have distinct globin expression patterns. Our studies in primary murine primitive erythroid cells indicate that betaH1 is the predominant beta-globin transcript in the early yolk sac. Thus, unlike the human, murine beta-globin genes are not up-regulated in the order of their chromosomal arrangement. As primitive erythroblasts mature from proerythroblasts to reticulocytes, they undergo a betaH1- to epsilony-globin switch, up-regulate adult beta1- and beta2-globins, and down-regulate zeta-globin. These changes in transcript levels correlate with changes in RNA polymerase II density at their promoters and transcribed regions. Furthermore, the epsilony- and betaH1-globin genes in primitive erythroblasts reside within a single large hyperacetylated domain. These data suggest that this "maturational" betaH1- to epsilony-globin switch is dynamically regulated at the transcriptional level. Globin switching during ontogeny is due not only to the sequential appearance of primitive and definitive lineages but also to changes in globin expression as primitive erythroblasts mature in the bloodstream.

A functional screen for Krüppel-like factors that regulate the human γ-globin gene through the CACCC promoter element

Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) have been systematically screened as potential candidates to regulate human gamma-globin gene expression through its CACCC element. Initially, 21 human proteins that have close sequence similarity to EKLF/KLF1, a known regulator of the human beta-globin gene, were identified. The phylogenetic relationship of these 22 KLF/Sp1 proteins was determined. KLF2/LKLF, KLF3/BKLF, KLF4/GKLF, KLF5/IKLF, KLF8/BKLF3, KLF11/FKLF, KLF12/AP-2rep and KLF13/FKLF2 were chosen for functional screening. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that all eight of these candidates are present in human erythroid cell lines, and that the expression of the KLF2, 4, 5 and 12 mRNAs changed significantly upon erythroid differentiation. Each of the eight KLF mRNAs is expressed in mouse erythroid tissues, throughout development. UV cross-linking assays suggest that multiple erythroid proteins from human cell lines and chicken primary cells interact with the gamma-globin CACCC element. In co-transfection assays in K562 cells, it was demonstrated that KLF2, 5 and 13 positively regulate, and KLF8 negatively regulates, the gamma-globin gene through the CACCC promoter element. The data collectively suggest that multiple KLFs may participate in the regulation of gamma-globin gene expression and that KLF2, 5, 8 and 13 are prime candidates for further study.

{gamma}-Globin gene expression in chemical inducer of dimerization (CID)-dependent multipotential cells established from human {beta}-globin locus yeast artificial chromosome ({beta}-YAC) transgenic mice

Identification of trans-acting factors or drugs capable of reactivating gamma-globin gene expression is complicated by the lack of suitable cell lines. Human K562 cells co-express epsilon- and gamma-globin but not beta-globin; transgenic mouse erythroleukemia 585 cells express predominantly human beta-globin but also gamma-globin; and transgenic murine GM979 cells co-express human gamma-and beta-globin. Human beta-globin locus yeast artificial chromosome transgenic mice display correct developmental regulation of beta-like globin gene expression. We rationalized that cells established from the adult bone marrow of these mice might express exclusively beta-globin and therefore could be employed to select or screen inducers of gamma-globin expression. A thrombopoietin receptor derivative that brings the proliferative status of primary mouse bone marrow cells under control of a chemical inducer of dimerization was employed to institute and maintain these cell populations. Human beta-globin was expressed, but gamma-globin was not; a similar expression pattern was observed in cells derived from fetal liver. gamma-Globin expression was induced upon exposure to 5-azacytidine, in cells derived from -117 Greek hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin human beta-globin locus yeast artificial chromosome (beta-YAC) mice, showing that the hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) phenotype was maintained in these cells or was reactivated by an artificial zinc finger-gamma-globin transcription factor and the previously identified fetal globin transactivators fetal Krüppel-like factor (FKLF) and fetal globin-increasing factor (FGIF). These cells may be useful for identifying transcription factors that reactivate gamma-globin synthesis or screening gamma-globin inducers for the treatment of sickle cell disease or beta-thalassemia.

Regulation of human fetal hemoglobin: new players, new complexities

The human globin genes are among the most extensively characterized in the human genome, yet the details of the molecular events regulating normal human hemoglobin switching and the potential reactivation of fetal hemoglobin in adult hematopoietic cells remain elusive. Recent discoveries demonstrate physical interactions between the beta locus control region and the downstream structural gamma- and beta-globin genes, and with transcription factors and chromatin remodeling complexes. These interactions all play roles in globin gene expression and globin switching at the human beta-globin locus. If the molecular events in hemoglobin switching were better understood and fetal hemoglobin could be more fully reactivated in adult cells, the insights obtained might lead to new approaches to the therapy of sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia by identifying specific new targets for molecular therapies.

KLF2 is essential for primitive erythropoiesis and regulates the human and murine embryonic beta-like globin genes in vivo

The Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of C2/H2 zinc finger DNA-binding proteins that are important in controlling developmental programs. Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF or KLF1) positively regulates the beta-globin gene in definitive erythroid cells. KLF2 (LKLF) is closely related to EKLF and is expressed in erythroid cells. KLF2-/- mice die between embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) and E14.5, because of severe intraembryonic hemorrhaging. They also display growth retardation and anemia. We investigated the expression of the beta-like globin genes in KLF2 knockout mice. Our results show that KLF2-/- mice have a significant reduction of murine embryonic Ey- and beta h1-globin but not zeta-globin gene expression in the E10.5 yolk sac, compared with wild-type mice. The expression of the adult beta(maj)- and beta(min)-globin genes is unaffected in the fetal livers of E12.5 embryos. In mice carrying the entire human globin locus, KLF2 also regulates the expression of the human embryonic epsilon-globin gene but not the adult beta-globin gene, suggesting that this developmental-stage-specific role is evolutionarily conserved. KLF2 also plays a role in the maturation and/or stability of erythroid cells in the yolk sac. KLF2-/- embryos have a significantly increased number of primitive erythroid cells undergoing apoptotic cell death.

Transcriptional regulation of FKLF-2 (KLF13) gene in erythroid cells

FKLF-2 (KLF13) was cloned from fetal globin-expressing tissues and has been shown to be abundantly expressed in erythroid cells. In this study we examined the transcriptional regulation of the KLF13 gene. A 5.5 kb 5' flanking region cloned from mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cell genomic DNA showed that major cis regulatory activities exist in the 550 bp sequence to the unique transcription start site, and that the promoter is more active in K562 cells than in COS-7 cells. The promoter was trans-activated by co-expressed GATA-1 through the sequence containing two CCAAT motifs, suggesting that GATA-1 is involved in the abundant expression of KLF13 mRNA in the erythroid tissue. Dual action, i.e. activating effect in COS-7 and repressive effect in K562 cell, was observed on its own promoter, suggesting a feedback mechanism for the transcriptional control of the KLF13 gene in the erythroid environment. These findings provide an insight on the mechanism of inducible mRNA expression of the KLF13 gene in erythroid cells.

Molecular cloning and characterization of ZFF29: a protein containing a unique Cys2His2 zinc-finger motif

We have cloned a gene, ZFF29 (zinc-finger protein of human fetal liver erythroid cells 29), from human fetal liver erythroid cells. Two types of mature mRNA were identified and designated ZFF29a and ZFF29b. In human genome the ZFF29 gene is on chromosome 9q, and the two forms are splice variants. There is a unique transcription start site, which predicts major mRNAs composed of 2485 bases for ZFF29a and 1801 bases for ZFF29b. The anticipated mRNAs were demonstrated in K562 cells, but not in any adult human tissues examined by Northern blotting. In the mouse, reverse transcription-PCR revealed that the ZFF29 mRNA is present in adult bone marrow and ovary at a higher level than in any other tissues examined. These findings suggest that ZFF29 proteins are expressed in embryonic/fetal erythroid tissues. The deduced polypeptide chains of ZFF29a and ZFF29b are composed of 306 and 350 amino acids respectively. A unique zinc-finger motif composed of two contiguous Cys(2)His(2)-type fingers is common to both forms of ZFF29. They are nuclear proteins and ZFF29b, but not ZFF29a, is an activator of erythroid gene promoters.

Control of globin gene expression during development and erythroid differentiation

Extensive studies during the last 30 years have led to considerable understanding of cellular and molecular control of hemoglobin switching. Cell biology studies in the 1970s defined the control of globin genes during erythroid differentiation and led to development of therapies for sickle cell disease. Molecular investigations of the last 20 years have delineated the two basic mechanisms that control globin gene activity during development--autonomous silencing and gene competition. Studies of hemoglobin switching have provided major insights on the control of gene loci by remote regulatory elements. Research in this field has an impact on understanding regulatory mechanisms in general and is of particular importance for eventual development of molecular cures for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.

The effect of hypoxia and stem cell source on haemoglobin switching

This study investigated whether relative changes that accompany the naturally occurring shifts in haematopoietic sites during human development play a role in haemoglobin (Hb) switching or whether Hb switching is innately programmed into cells. CD34(+)/Lineage(-) haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSCs) were isolated from human fetal liver (F-LVR), cord blood (CB), and adult bone marrow (ABM), and the Hb was characterized by flow cytometry on cultures that generated enucleated red cells. All feeder layers (stroma from F-LVR, ABM, and human fetal aorta) enhanced cell proliferation and erythropoiesis but did not affect Hb type. HSCs from CB and F-LVR generated the same Hb profile under normoxia and hypoxia. HSCs from ABM had single-positive HbA and double-positive HbA and HbF cells at normoxia and almost entirely double-positive cells at hypoxia. Further characterization of these ABM cultures was determined by following mRNA expression for the transcription factors erythroid Kruppel-like factor (EKLF) and fetal Kruppel-like factor (FKLF) as a function of time in cultures under hypoxia and normoxia. The erythroid-specific isoform of 5-amino-levulinate synthase (ALAS2) was also expressed under hypoxic conditions. We conclude that Hb switching is affected by the environment but not all HSCs are preprogrammed to respond.

Exploring strategies for the design of artificial transcription factors: targeting sites proximal to known regulatory regions for the induction of gamma-globin expression and the treatment of sickle cell disease

Artificial transcription factors can be engineered to interact with specific DNA sequences to modulate endogenous gene expression within cells. A significant hurdle to implementation of this approach is the selection of the appropriate DNA sequence for targeting. We reasoned that a good target site should be located in chromatin, where it is accessible to DNA-binding proteins, and it should be in the close vicinity of known transcriptional regulators of the gene. Here we have explored the efficacy of these criteria to guide our selection of potential regulators of gamma-globin expression. Several zinc finger-based transcriptional activators were designed to target the sites proximal to the -117-position of the gamma-globin promoter. This region is proximal to the binding sites of known and potential natural transcription factors. Design and study of three transcription factors identified the potent transcriptional activator, gg1-VP64-HA. This transcription factor was able to interact directly with the gamma-globin promoter and up-regulate expression of reporter gene constructs as well as the endogenous gene in a selective manner. Transfection of a gg1-VP64-HA expression vector or retroviral delivery of this transcription factor into the erythroleukemia cell line K562 resulted in an increase of fetal hemoglobin. The gamma-globin content of cells expressing gg1-vp64-HA showed up to 16-fold higher levels of fetal hemoglobin than the native K562 cell line. These transcriptional activators constitute a novel class of regulators of the globin locus that may be suitable for treatment of diseases arising from mutations in this locus such as sickle cell disease and thalassemic diseases.

A sustained and pancellular reversal of gamma-globin gene silencing in adult human erythroid precursor cells

We systematically compared cytokine-mediated increases or decreases in proliferation with globin gene and protein expression in adult human erythroblasts. Despite their opposite effects on growth, stem cell factor (SCF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B) had synergistic effects with respect to fetal hemoglobin (HbF): average HbF/HbF + adult hemoglobin (HbA) ratio in erythropoietin (EPO) = 1.4 +/- 1.0%; EPO + TGF-B = 10.8 +/- 1.9%; EPO + SCF = 19.1 +/- 6.2%; and EPO + SCF + TGF-B (EST) = 39.3 +/- 6.3%. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed significant increases in gamma-globin transcripts that were balanced by reduced beta-globin transcripts. Single-cell quantitative PCR demonstrated a complete reversal of gamma-globin gene silencing with detectable gamma-globin mRNA in more than 95% of the cells. Immunostaining with HbF antibodies also showed a pancellular distribution in EST (96.2 +/- 0.01% HbF positive) compared with a heterocellular distribution in EPO (42.9 +/- 0.01% HbF positive). As shown here for the first time, a robust and pancellular reversal of gamma-globin gene silencing among hemoglobinized erythroblasts from adult humans may be achieved in the absence of hereditary mutation or direct genomic manipulation.

KLF11 mediates a critical mechanism in TGF-beta signaling that is inactivated by Erk-MAPK in pancreatic cancer cells

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Smad-regulated transcription plays a central role in transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta-induced cell growth inhibition and tumor suppression. Like the Smads, KLF11 is an early response transcription factor that mediates TGF-beta-induced growth inhibition in untransformed epithelial cells. Here, we investigated the functional implications of KLF11 in TGF-beta signaling and transcription in normal epithelial as well as pancreatic cancer cells.

METHODS

The effects of KLF11 on TGF-beta signaling and transcription were examined on the levels of reporter transactivation, Smad2 phosphorylation, and expression of endogenous TGF-beta-regulated genes. Promoter analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and coimmunoprecipitation studies were performed to study KLF11-induced and mSin3A corepressor-mediated repression of Smad7. Erk-induced KLF11 phosphorylation was examined in vitro and in vivo, and its impact on KLF11-mSin3A-mediated Smad7 repression was verified in pancreatic cancer cells using site-directed mutagenesis.

RESULTS

KLF11 potentiates TGF-beta signaling by terminating the inhibitory Smad7 loop. Mechanistically, KLF11 represses TGF-beta-induced transcription from the Smad7 promoter by recruiting mSin3a via GC-rich sites. This function is inhibited in pancreatic cancer cells with oncogenic Ras mutations, in which Erk/mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylates KLF11, leading to disruption of KLF11-mSin3a interaction. Expression of an Erk-insensitive KLF11 mutant restores both mSin3a binding and Smad7 repression and results in enhanced TGF-beta signaling in pancreatic cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results define a novel mechanism in TGF-beta-regulated gene expression. KLF11 potentiates Smad-signaling activity in normal epithelial cells through termination of the negative feedback loop imposed by Smad7. The fact that this function of KLF11 is inhibited by oncogenic Erk/mitogen-activated protein kinase in pancreatic cancer cells emphasizes the importance of this mechanism for oncogenesis.

Genomic and phylogenetic footprinting at the epsilon-globin silencer region in intact human cells

Chromatin structure at the silencer region of the epsilon-globin promoter was investigated using novel nitrogen mustards as probes of protein--DNA interactions. Sites of protection and enhancement that corresponded to known transcription factor binding sites were detected in both K562 and HeLa cells at this gene region. Protection was observed at several sites including the GATA-1/YY1 motifs. Of particular interest was a large 155 bp footprint that was observed at the epsilon-globin gene silencer region of the promoter. This large footprint was consistent with the presence of a positioned nucleosome core in intact human cells at this silencer region. Additionally, the DNA sequence at the epsilon-globin silencer and promoter was compared for 11 mammalian species. Significant areas of conservation were found that correlated with known transcription factor binding motifs. This phylogenetic footprinting analysis was compared to the genomic footprinting data at the epsilon-globin silencer region.

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Negative regulation of gamma-globin gene expression by cyclic AMP-dependent pathway in erythroid cells

OBJECTIVE

Fetal hemoglobin inducers such as hemin, butyrate, and hydroxyurea stimulate gamma-globin gene expression by activating the cyclic GMP (cGMP)-dependent pathway. Although cGMP activates the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent pathway by suppressing cGMP-inhibited phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3), the effects of the cAMP-dependent pathway on gamma-globin gene expression are unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cAMP-dependent pathway was activated in K562 cells using the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin. Expression of gamma-globin mRNA was examined by primer extension, and transcriptional activity of the gamma-globin gene promoter was determined by reporter gene assays.

RESULTS

PDE3 was expressed in K562 cells at a high level. The cAMP-dependent pathway was found to be activated in K562 cells in which the cGMP-dependent pathway was activated by hemin. Activation of the cAMP-dependent pathway by forskolin inhibited hemin-induced expression of gamma-globin mRNA and decreased transcriptional activity of the gamma-globin gene promoter. The levels of phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were not affected by the cAMP-dependent pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that the cAMP-dependent pathway, which is independent of MAPK pathways, plays a negative role in gamma-globin gene expression in K562 cells. cAMP and cGMP may have differential roles in the regulation of gamma-globin gene expression in erythroid cells.