A 'DNA replication' signature of progression and negative outcome in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent cancers worldwide. As the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging classification does not allow to predict the survival of patients in many cases, additional prognostic factors are needed to better forecast their outcome. Genes involved in DNA replication may represent an underexplored source of such prognostic markers. Indeed, accidents during DNA replication can trigger 'replicative stress', one of the main features of cancer from earlier stages onward. In this study, we assessed the expression of 47 'DNA replication' genes in primary tumors and adjacent normal tissues from a homogeneous series of 74 patients. We found that genes coding for translesional (TLS) DNA polymerases, initiation of DNA replication, S-phase signaling and protection of replication forks were significantly deregulated in tumors. We also observed that the overexpression of either the MCM7 helicase or the TLS DNA polymerase POLQ (if also associated with a concomitant overexpression of firing genes) was significantly related to poor patient survival. Our data suggest the existence of a 'DNA replication signature' that might represent a source of new prognostic markers. Such a signature could help in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor progression in colorectal cancer patients.

The p400/Tip60 ratio is critical for colorectal cancer cell proliferation through DNA damage response pathways

The Tip60 histone acetyltransferase belongs to a multimolecular complex that contains many chromatin remodeling enzymes including the ATPase p400, a protein involved in nucleosomal incorporation of specific histone variants and that can directly or indirectly repress some Tip60-dependent pathways. Tip60 activity is critical for the cellular response to DNA damage and is affected during cancer progression. Here, we found that the ratio between Tip60 and p400 mRNAs is affected in most colorectal carcinoma. Strikingly, reversing the p400/Tip60 imbalance by Tip60 overexpression or the use of siRNAs resulted in increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation of colon-cancer-derived cells, suggesting that this ratio defect is important for cancer progression. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the p400/Tip60 ratio controls the oncogene-induced DNA damage response, a known anticancer barrier. Finally, we found that it is also critical for the response to 5-fluorouracil, a first-line treatment against colon cancer. Together, our data indicate that the p400/Tip60 ratio is critical for colon cancer cells proliferation and response to therapeutic drugs through the control of stress-response pathways.

Transcriptional repression by the retinoblastoma protein through the recruitment of a histone methyltransferase

The E2F transcription factor controls the cell cycle-dependent expression of many S-phase-specific genes. Transcriptional repression of these genes in G(0) and at the beginning of G(1) by the retinoblasma protein Rb is crucial for the proper control of cell proliferation. Rb has been proposed to function, at least in part, through the recruitment of histone deacetylases. However, recent results indicate that other chromatin-modifying enzymes are likely to be involved. Here, we show that Rb also interacts with a histone methyltransferase, which specifically methylates K9 of histone H3. The results of coimmunoprecipitation experiments of endogenous or transfected proteins indicate that this histone methyltransferase is the recently described heterochromatin-associated protein Suv39H1. Interestingly, phosphorylation of Rb in vitro as well as in vivo abolished the Rb-Suv39H1 interaction. We also found that Suv39H1 and Rb cooperate to repress E2F activity and that Suv39H1 could be recruited to E2F1 through its interaction with Rb. Taken together, these data indicate that Suv39H1 is involved in transcriptional repression by Rb and suggest an unexpected link between E2F regulation and heterochromatin.

The histone deacetylase HDAC3 targets RbAp48 to the retinoblastoma protein

The product of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene, the Rb protein, functions partly through transcriptional repression of E2F-regulated genes. Repression by Rb is mediated, at least in part, by a histone deacetylase complex, whose enzymatic activity relies on HDAC1, HDAC2 or HDAC3. Recently, we have shown that the Rb-associated histone deacetylase complex contains RbAp48 protein, which interacts with HDAC1 and HDAC2. RbAp48 could favour the deacetylation of histones since it binds directly to histone H4. In agreement with that, we show that transcriptional repression of E2F activity requires the presence of RbAp48. HDAC3 was thought not to interact with RbAp48. However, we found that it shared with HDAC1 the ability to favour the recruitment of RbAp48 to Rb. This latter effect was unlikely to be due to activation of Rb function, since HDAC3 did not increase Rb-E2F1 interaction. Rather, we found, surprisingly, that HDAC3 could physically interact with RbAp48 both in vitro and in living cells. Taken together, our data suggest a model in which Rb mediates the recruitment to E2F-regulating promoters of a repressive complex containing either HDAC1, HDAC2 or HDAC3 and the histone-binding protein RbAp48.

The periodic down regulation of Cyclin E gene expression from exit of mitosis to end of G(1) is controlled by a deacetylase- and E2F-associated bipartite repressor element

The expression of cyclin E and that of a few other bona fide cell cycle regulatory genes periodically oscillates every cycle in proliferating cells. Although numerous experiments have documented the role of E2F sites and E2F activities in the control of these genes as cells exit from G(0) to move through the initial G(1)/S phase transition, almost nothing is known on the role of E2Fs during the subsequent cell cycles. Here we show that a variant E2F-site that is part of the Cyclin E Repressor Module (CERM) (Le Cam et al., 1999b) accounts for the periodic down regulation of the cyclin E promoter observed between the exit from mitosis until the mid/late G(1) phase in exponentially cycling cells. This cell cycle-dependent repression correlates with the periodic binding of an atypical G(1)-specific high molecular weight p107-E2F complex (Cyclin E Repressor Complex: CERC2) that differs in both size and DNA binding behaviors from known p107-E2F complexes. Notably, affinity purified CERC2 displays a TSA-sensitive histone deacetylase activity and, consistent with this, derepression of the cyclin E promoter by trichostatin A depends on the CERM element. Altogether, this shows that the cell cycle-dependent control of cyclin E promoter in cycling cells is embroiled in acetylation pathways via the CERM-like E2F element.

Physical association between the histone acetyl transferase CBP and a histone methyl transferase

CBP (CREB-binding protein) is involved in transcriptional activation by a great variety of sequence-specific transcription factors. CBP has been shown to activate transcription through its histone acetyl transferase activity. Acetylation is a common post-translational modification of nucleosomal histone N-terminal tails, which generally correlates with transcriptional activation. Histone N-terminal tails are also modified by methylation but its functional consequences are largely unknown. Here we found that immunoprecipitation of CBP, or of the highly related p300, led to the co-immunoprecipitation of a robust histone methyl transferase (HMT) activity, indicating that CBP physically interacts with an HMT in living cells. The CBP-associated HMT is specific for lysines 4 and 9 of histone H3, which are known to be methylated in living cells. These results suggest that histone methylation could be involved in transcriptional activation. Furthermore, they raise the question of the link between histone methylation and acetylation.

CBP/p300 histone acetyl-transferase activity is important for the G1/S transition

Transforming viral proteins such as E1A which force quiescent cells into S phase have two essential cellular target proteins, Rb and CBP/p300. Rb regulates the G1/S transition by controlling the transcription factor E2F. CBP/p300 is a transcriptional co-activator with intrinsic histone acetyl-transferase activity. This activity is regulated in a cell cycle dependent manner and shows a peak at the G1/S transition, suggesting a function for CBP/p300 in this crucial step of the cell cycle. Here, we have artificially modulated CBP/p300 levels in individual cells through microinjection of specific antibodies and expression vectors. We show that CBP/p300 is required for cell proliferation and has an essential function during the G1/S transition. Using the same microinjection system and GFP-reporter vectors, we demonstrate that CBP/p300 is essential for the activity of E2F, a transcription factor that controls the G1/S transition. In addition, our results suggest that CBP HAT activity is required both for the G1/S transition and for E2F activity. Thus CBP/p300 seems to be a versatile protein involved in opposing cellular processes, which raises the question of how its multiple activities are regulated.

RbAp48 belongs to the histone deacetylase complex that associates with the retinoblastoma protein

The retinoblastoma susceptibility gene product, the Rb protein, is a key regulator of mammalian cell proliferation. One of the major targets of Rb is the S phase inducing E2F transcription factor. Once bound to E2F, Rb represses the expression of E2F-regulated genes. Transcriptional repression by Rb is believed to be crucial for the proper control of cell growth. Recently, we and others showed that Rb represses transcription through the recruitment of a histone deacetylase. Interestingly, we show here that the Rb-associated histone deacetylase complex could deacetylate polynucleosomal substrates, indicating that other proteins could be present within this complex. The Rb-associated protein RbAp48 belongs to many histone deacetylase complexes. We show here that the histone deacetylase HDAC1 is able to mediate the formation of a ternary complex containing Rb and RbAp48. Moreover, less deacetylase activity was found associated with Rb in cell extracts depleted for RbAp48 containing complexes, demonstrating that Rb, histone deacetylase, and RbAp48 are physically associated in live cells. Taken together, these data indicate that RbAp48 is a component of the histone deacetylase complex recruited by Rb. Finally, we found that E2F1 and RbAp48 are physically associated in the presence of Rb and HDAC1, suggesting that RbAp48 could be involved in transcriptional repression of E2F-responsive genes.

Phosphorylation by p44 MAP Kinase/ERK1 stimulates CBP histone acetyl transferase activity in vitro

The transcriptional coactivator CBP displays an intrinsic histone acetyl transferase (HAT) activity which seems to participate in transcriptional activation through the destabilization of nucleosome structure. CBP is involved in the activity of several transcription factors that are nuclear endpoints of intracellular signal transduction pathways. In some instances, the transcription factors are phosphorylated upon cell activation, which induces their interaction with CBP. CBP itself is a phosphoprotein and can be phosphorylated by cycle-dependent kinases or by MAP kinases. Here we show that CBP phosphorylation by p44 MAP kinase/ERK1 results in the stimulation of its HAT enzymatic activity. The p44 MAP kinase/ERK1 phosphorylation sites are located in the C-terminal part of the protein, outside of the HAT domain. These sites are required for enzymatic stimulation, suggesting that phosphorylation by p44 MAP kinase/ERK1 induces a conformational change of the CBP molecule. Our data suggest that, in some instances, CBP itself might be a target for signal transduction pathways.

Histone acetyltransferase activity of CBP is controlled by cycle-dependent kinases and oncoprotein E1A

Transforming viral proteins such as E1A force cells through the restriction point of the cell cycle into S phase by forming complexes with two cellular proteins: the retinoblastoma protein (Rb), a transcriptional co-repressor, and CBP/p300, a transcriptional co-activator. These two proteins locally influence chromatin structure: Rb recruits a histone deacetylase, whereas CBP is a histone acetyltransferase. Progression through the restriction point is triggered by phosphorylation of Rb, leading to disruption of Rb-associated repressive complexes and allowing the activation of S-phase genes. Here we show that CBP, like Rb, is controlled by phosphorylation at the G1/S boundary, increasing its histone acetyltransferase activity. This enzymatic activation is mimicked by E1A.

The three members of the pocket proteins family share the ability to repress E2F activity through recruitment of a histone deacetylase

The transcription factor E2F plays a major role in cell cycle control in mammalian cells. E2F binding sites, which are present in the promoters of a variety of genes required for S phase, shift from a negative to a positive role in transcription at the commitment point, a crucial point in G1 that precedes the G1/S transition. Before the commitment point, E2F activity is repressed by members of the pocket proteins family. This repression is believed to be crucial for the proper control of cell growth. We have previously shown that Rb, the founding member of the pocket proteins family, represses E2F1 activity by recruiting the histone deacetylase HDAC1. Here, we show that the two other members of the pocket proteins family, p107 and p130, also are able to interact physically with HDAC1 in live cells. HDAC1 interacts with p107 and Rb through an "LXCXE"-like motif, similar to that used by viral transforming proteins to bind and inactivate pocket proteins. Indeed, we find that the viral transforming protein E1A competes with HDAC1 for p107 interaction. We also demonstrate that p107 is able to interact simultaneously with HDAC1 and E2F4, suggesting a model in which p107 recruits HDAC1 to repress E2F sites. Indeed, we demonstrate that histone deacetylase activity is involved in the p107- or p130-induced repression of E2F4. Taken together, our data suggest that all members of the E2F family are regulated in early G1 by similar complexes, containing a pocket protein and the histone deacetylase HDAC1.

A rapid and sensitive assay for histone acetyl-transferase activity

Histone acetyl-transferases (HATs) seem to be key elements in the regulation of transcription. We have designed an enzymatic assay to quantify HAT enzymatic activity. In this assay, the substrate is a peptide corresponding to the 24 first amino acids of histone H4 which is coupled to biotin. After acetylation using [14C]acetyl-CoA, the peptide is purified on streptavidin beads and the associated radioactivity is measured. This assay is sensitive, rapid and convenient.

[Histone deacetylase and retinoblastoma protein]

The balance between cellular proliferation and differentiation is strictly controlled in the cell and the deregulation of this balance can lead to tumour formation. The tumour suppressor protein Rb plays a key role in this balance essentially by repressing progression through the cell cycle and thereby it blocks the cell in G1 phase. Rb represses S phase genes through the recruitment of an enzyme which modifies DNA structure, the histone deacetylase HDAC1. The Rb/HDAC1 complex is a key element in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, this complex is likely to be a target for transforming viral proteins.

Retinoblastoma protein represses transcription by recruiting a histone deacetylase

The retinoblastoma tumour-suppressor protein Rb inhibits cell proliferation by repressing a subset of genes that are controlled by the E2F family of transcription factors and which are involved in progression from the G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle. Rb, which is recruited to target promoters by E2F1, represses transcription by masking the E2F1 transactivation domain and by inhibiting surrounding enhancer elements, an active repression that could be crucial for the proper control of progression through the cell cycle. Some transcriptional regulators act by acetylating or deacetylating the tails protruding from the core histones, thereby modulating the local structure of chromatin: for example, some transcriptional repressors function through the recruitment of histone deacetylases. We show here that the histone deacetylase HDAC1 physically interacts and cooperates with Rb. In HDAC1, the sequence involved is an LXCXE motif, similar to that used by viral transforming proteins to contact Rb. Our results strongly suggest that the Rb/HDAC1 complex is a key element in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation and that it is a likely target for transforming viruses.

The CREB-binding protein (CBP) cooperates with the serum response factor for transactivation of the c-fos serum response element

The serum response element is one of the major promoter elements of the immediate early response to extracellular signals. The serum response element includes two main binding sites for proteins: the Ets box, which binds p62(TCF), and the CArG box, which binds p67(SRF). These two proteins are direct targets for signal transduction pathways; p62(TCF) is a nuclear end point of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, and p67(SRF) is targeted by the Rho/Rac small G-proteins. The mechanism by which the signal is further transduced from the transcription factors to the basal transcriptional machinery is poorly understood. Recent data have suggested that the cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB)-binding protein, a transcriptional adaptor involved in the transactivation through a wide variety of enhancer elements, participates in p62(TCF) activity. We here show that the CREB-binding protein also cooperates in the process of transactivation by p67(SRF). Cotransfections of expression vectors for the CREB-binding protein increased the expression, in response to serum, of reporters under the control of the c-fos serum response element. Interestingly, the C-terminal moiety of the CREB-binding protein was not necessary to observe this effect. The cooperation did not require the Ets box in the serum response element, and the CArG box was sufficient, indicating that the CREB-binding protein is able to cooperate with p67(SRF) in the absence of an Ets protein. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments using cell extracts showed that p67(SRF) could be retained with antibodies directed against the CREB-binding protein, suggesting that the two proteins form a multimolecular complex in live cells. The physical interaction between p67(SRF) and the CREB-binding protein was further confirmed by two-hybrid assays in mammalian cells. Our results indicate that the CREB-binding protein cooperates with p67(SRF) and, thus, suggest that the serum response element is regulated by a multimolecular complex, which includes the CREB-binding protein, p67(SRF), and p62(TCF), with multiple interactions between the components of the complex.

RB and hbrm cooperate to repress the activation functions of E2F1

Forced expression of the retinoblastoma (RB) gene product inhibits the proliferation of cells in culture. A major target of the RB protein is the S-phase-inducing transcription factor E2F1. RB binds directly to the activation domain of E2F1 and silences it, thereby preventing cells from entering S phase. To induce complete G1 arrest, RB requires the presence of the hbrm/BRG-1 proteins, which are components of the coactivator SWI/SNF complex. This cooperation is mediated through a physical interaction between RB and hbrm/BRG-1. We show here that in transfected cells RB can contact both E2F1 and hbrm at the same time, thereby targeting hbrm to E2F1. E2F1 and hbrm are indeed found within the same complex in vivo. Furthermore, RB and hbrm cooperate to repress E2F1 activity in transient transfection assays. The ability of hbrm to cooperate with RB to repress E2F1 is dependent upon several distinct domains of hbrm, including the RB binding domain and the NTP binding site. However, the bromodomain seems dispensable for this activity. Taken together, our results point out an unexpected role of corepressor for the hbrm protein. The ability of hbrm and RB to cooperate in repressing E2F1 activity could be an underlying mechanism for the observed cooperation between hbrm and RB to induce G1 arrest. Finally, we demonstrate that the domain of hbrm that binds RB has transcriptional activation potential which RB can repress. This suggest that RB not only targets hbrm but also regulates its activity.

[Control of cell proliferation by the retinoblastoma gene product]

Transformed cells proliferate abnormally, due to the unregulated activation of oncogenes and the inactivation of anti-oncogenes. The molecular mechanisms by which the product of the RB anti-oncogene, the RB protein, regulates cell proliferation begin to be understood. Major targets of RB include proteins involved in cell cycle entry, like the E2F transcription factor, and effectors of terminal differentiation. The effect of RB is thus to block cells into the G1 phase of the cell cycle and to induce them to terminally differentiate. Recently, a new role has been shown for RB. RB is able to repress the activity of the RNA polymerases I and III, thereby modulating the protein biosynthesis capacities of the cell. RB appears thus to control directly the balance between DNA and protein synthesis during the cell cycle.

The CBP co-activator stimulates E2F1/DP1 activity

The cell cycle-regulating transcription factors E2F1/DP1 activate genes whose products are required for S phase progression. During most of the G1 phase, E2F1/DP1 activity is repressed by the retinoblastoma gene product RB, which directly contacts the E2F1 activation domain and silences it. The E2F1 activation domain has sequence similarity to the N-terminal activation domain of E1A(12S), which contains binding sites for CBP as well as RB. Here, we present evidence that the CBP protein directly contacts E2F1/DP1 and stimulates its activation capacity. We show that CBP interacts with the activation domain of E2F1 both in vitro and in vivo. Deletion of four residues from the E2F1 activation domain reduces CBP binding as well as transcriptional activation, but still allows the binding of RB and MDM2. This deletion removes residues which are conserved in the N-terminal activation domain of E1A and which are required for the binding of CBP to E1A. When the E1A N-terminus is used as a competitor in squelshing experiments it abolishes CBP-induced activation of E2F1/DP1, whereas an E1A mutant lacking CBP binding ability fails to do so. These results indicate that CBP can act as a coactivator for E2F1 and suggest that CBP recognises a similar motif within the E1A and E2F1 activation domains. The convergence of the RB and CBP pathways on the regulation of E2F1 activity may explain the cooperativity displayed by these proteins in mediating the biological functions of E1A. We propose a model in which E1A activates E2F not only by removing the RB repression but also by providing the CBP co-activator.

Repression of RNA polymerase III transcription by the retinoblastoma protein

Transcription by RNA polymerase (pol) III is under cell-cycle control, being higher in S and G2 than in G0 and early G1 phases. Many transformed cell types have elevated pol III activity, presumably to sustain sufficient protein synthesis for unrestrained growth. The retinoblastoma tumour-suppressor protein (Rb) restricts cellular proliferation, and is often found mutated in transformed cells. Here we demonstrate that Rb can repress the level of transcription from pol III templates both in vitro and vivo. Analysis of Rb-deficient SAOS2 cells and primary fibroblasts from Rb-/- mice demonstrates elevated levels of pol III activity in the absence of functional Rb protein. Rb-induced repression of pol III activity is alleviated by mutations in the Rb pocket domain that occur naturally in tumours, and by viral transforming proteins that bind and inactivate Rb. These results implicate repression of pol III transcription as a mechanism for Rb-induced growth arrest, and suggest that restraining protein biosynthesis may be important in the prevention of tumour development.

Physical interaction between the mitogen-responsive serum response factor and myogenic basic-helix-loop-helix proteins

Terminal differentiation of muscle cells results in opposite effects on gene promoters: muscle-specific promoters, which are repressed during active proliferation of myoblasts, are turned on, whereas at least some proliferation-associated promoters, such as c-fos, which are active during cell division, are turned off. MyoD and myogenin, transcription factors from the basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family, are involved in both processes, up-regulating muscle genes and down-regulating c-fos. On the other hand, the serum response factor (SRF) is involved in the activation of muscle-specific genes, such as c-fos, as well as in the up-regulation of a subset of genes that are responsive to mitogens. Upon terminal differentiation, the activity of these various transcription factors could be modulated by the formation of distinct protein-protein complexes. Here, we have investigated the hypothesis that the function of SRF and/or MyoD and myogenin could be modulated by a physical association between these transcription factors. We show that myogenin from differentiating myoblasts specifically binds to SRF. In vitro analysis, using the glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay, indicates that SRF-myogenin interactions occur only with myogenin-E12 heterodimers and not with isolated myogenin. A physical interaction between myogenin, E12, and SRF could also be demonstrated in vivo using a triple-hybrid approach in yeast. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down analysis of various mutants of the proteins demonstrated that the bHLH domain of myogenin and that of E12 were necessary and sufficient for the interaction to be observed. Specific binding to SRF was also seen with MyoD. In contrast, Id, a natural inhibitor of myogenic bHLH proteins, did not bind SRF in any of the situations tested. These data suggest that SRF, on one hand, and myogenic bHLH, on the other, could modulate each other's activity through the formation of a heterotrimeric complex.

E2F1 and E1A(12S) have a homologous activation domain regulated by RB and CBP

The E2F1 transcription factor has a well-characterized activation domain at its C terminus and the E1A protein has a recently defined activation domain at its N terminus. Here we show that these activation domains are highly related in sequence. The sequence homology reflects, at least partly, the conservation of common binding sites for the RB and CBP/p300 proteins, which are preserved in the same relative order along E2F1 and E1A. Furthermore, the interaction of RB and CBP with these two activation domains results in the same functional consequences: RB represses both activation domains, whereas CBP stimulates them. We conclude that the activation domains of E1A(12s) and E2F1 belong to a novel functional class, characterized by specific protein binding sites. The implication of this conservation with respect to E1A-induced stimulation of E2F activity is discussed.

Stimulation of E2F1/DP1 transcriptional activity by MDM2 oncoprotein

The MDM2 proto-oncogene is found amplified in a variety of tumours. The oncogenic capacity of the MDM2 protein is attributed to its ability to bind the p53 tumour-suppressor protein and mask its transcriptional activation potential. Here we show that MDM2 makes a functional contact with two cooperating transcription factors, E2F1 and DP1 (refs 4,5), which are involved in S-phase progression. MDM2 contacts the activation domain of E2F1 using residues conserved in the activation domain of p53. However, in contrast to its repression of p53 activity, MDM2 stimulates the activation capacity of E2F1/DP1. These results indicate that MDM2 not only releases a proliferative block by silencing the tumour suppressor p53, it also positively augments proliferation by stimulating the S-phase inducing transcription factors E2F1/DP1.

Myogenin binds to and represses c-fos promoter

Myogenin (a member of the myogenic basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor family) seems to be the main effector of proliferation repression, a crucial step which precedes muscle cell terminal differentiation during muscle development. Proliferation repression most likely occurs through inhibition of proliferation-associated genes such as the proto-oncogene, c-fos. Here, we demonstrate that myogenin binds to an E-box located in the main element of the c-fos promoter, the serum response element (SRE). Results from co-transfection experiments indicate that myogenin acts as a repressor for the SRE. Our data suggest that myogenin could play a role in c-fos inhibition at the onset of muscle cell terminal differentiation.

Regulation of transcription by E2F1/DP1

The E2F1 transcription factor, in co-operation with DP1, controls the expression of several S-phase specific genes. This activity is most likely responsible for the oncogenic and S-phase inducing properties of E2F1, suggesting that this transcription factor plays a key role in regulating the cell cycle. The transcriptional activation functions of E2F1 are resident in a small C-terminal domain which can independently activate transcription. Here we review the protein-protein interactions which impinge upon and regulate this activation domain and put forward some models on their mechanism of action.

The serum unresponsive Rous sarcoma virus promoter sustains a high serum response factor-dependent transcription in vitro

CArG boxes are cis-regulatory elements which are represented both in serum responsive and unresponsive promoters. Here we show that the RSV Long Terminal Repeat contains two CArG boxes, which were efficiently recognised by purified Serum Response Factor, although they remained unresponsive to serum in transient transfection assays. However, RSV CArG boxes were as efficient as c-fos Serum Response Element in mediating a Serum Response Factor-dependent transcription in vitro. Thus, the fact that a CArG box is able to bind Serum Response Factor in an active form is insufficient for serum responsiveness in vivo.

Repression of c-fos promoter by MyoD on muscle cell differentiation

Terminal differentiation and cell proliferation are in many cases, as in muscle cells, mutually exclusive processes. While differentiating myoblasts are withdrawn from the cell cycle, myogenesis is inhibited by some mitogens and overexpression of some oncogenes, including proto-oncogene c-fos (which expresses a growth-associated protein constituting the regulatory factor AP-1 in conjunction with c-Jun). MyoD, a muscle-specific transcription factor of the basic helix-loop-helix family, acts at both levels because it triggers a muscle differentiation programme in non-muscle cells, and induces a complete block of cell proliferation. Antagonistic interaction between MyoD and c-Jun has been demonstrated. We here show that c-fos expression greatly decreases upon muscle cell differentiation, concomitant with MyoD-induced activity. We have identified a MyoD-binding site overlapping with the serum-responsive element in the c-fos promoter. We demonstrate that MyoD can act as a negative regulator for c-fos transcription by blocking serum responsiveness through this binding site. These data suggest that the MyoD negative effect on cell growth could be partly mediated by transcriptional inactivation of growth-responsive genes.

Universality of c-fos transcriptional regulation: the Dyad Symmetry Element mediates activation by PMA in T lymphocytes

We here have delineated the regulatory sequences responsible for c-fos transcriptional activation in human primary T lymphoblasts and in a human tumor T cell line (Jurkat), using transient transfection assays. Our results indicate that, as it has been demonstrated for fibroblastic or epithelial cells, the Dyad Symmetry Element is necessary and sufficient to confer responsiveness to an heterologous promoter in both cell types. Protein binding to this element was constitutive, as assessed by gel shift assays. These results suggest that c-fos transcriptional regulation occurs through a widely conserved mechanism in highly differentiated tissues.

c-fos transcriptional activation by IL-2 in mouse CTL-L2 cells is mediated through two distinct signal transduction pathways converging on the same enhancer element

The c-fos protooncogene is suspected to play a major role during the activation of cells from different lineages. In particular, c-fos transcription is induced upon entry into a proliferation cycle in a wide variety of cell types. In this study, we have transfected an IL-2-dependent murine T cell line with chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter constructs, harboring various regions of the human c-fos promoter. We show that IL-2 induces activation of fos CAT reporter constructs in these cells. Furthermore, the induction by IL-2 is mediated through a dyad symmetry element, the serum response element, which is also responsible for fos CAT reporter constructs activation by PMA, a pharmacologic activator of the protein kinase C (PKC). To assess any involvement of PKC in signal transduction for fos CAT reporter activation by IL-2, CTL-L2 cells were PKC-depleted by treatment with high doses of PMA. Such a treatment abolished the transcriptional response of fos CAT reporter constructs to PMA. In contrast, IL-2 was still able to activate fos CAT transcription, albeit with a lower efficiency. These results suggest that PMA-sensitive PKC might be part of intracellular transduction pathways leading to c-fos transcriptional activation by IL-2, and that at least one alternate pathway participates in the complete response. However, these distinct signal transduction pathways have the same DNA target on c-fos promoter, the serum response element.

c-fos transcriptional activation by IL-2 in mouse CTL-L2 cells is mediated through two distinct signal transduction pathways converging on the same enhancer element

The c-fos protooncogene is suspected to play a major role during the activation of cells from different lineages. In particular, c-fos transcription is induced upon entry into a proliferation cycle in a wide variety of cell types. In this study, we have transfected an IL-2-dependent murine T cell line with chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter constructs, harboring various regions of the human c-fos promoter. We show that IL-2 induces activation of fos CAT reporter constructs in these cells. Furthermore, the induction by IL-2 is mediated through a dyad symmetry element, the serum response element, which is also responsible for fos CAT reporter constructs activation by PMA, a pharmacologic activator of the protein kinase C (PKC). To assess any involvement of PKC in signal transduction for fos CAT reporter activation by IL-2, CTL-L2 cells were PKC-depleted by treatment with high doses of PMA. Such a treatment abolished the transcriptional response of fos CAT reporter constructs to PMA. In contrast, IL-2 was still able to activate fos CAT transcription, albeit with a lower efficiency. These results suggest that PMA-sensitive PKC might be part of intracellular transduction pathways leading to c-fos transcriptional activation by IL-2, and that at least one alternate pathway participates in the complete response. However, these distinct signal transduction pathways have the same DNA target on c-fos promoter, the serum response element.

The dyad symmetry element is the molecular target for c-fos induction and inhibition during K 562 differentiation along mutually exclusive lineages

The c-fos proto-oncogene seems to play an important role during differentiation and activation of cells from the hematopoietic lineage. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate the mechanism underlying its transcriptional activation in these cells. To delineate the sequences and factors involved in c-fos transcriptional activation during the course of myeloid cell differentiation, we have used the K 562 chronic leukemic cell line as a model. K 562 cells were transfected with chloramphenicol transacetylase (CAT) reporter constructs, including various regions of the human c-fos promoter, and induced to differentiate by two distinct agents: 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), which activates a differentiation program along the megakaryoblastic pathway; and hemin, which induces erythroid differentiation. We show here that TPA treatment of K 562 cells induces fos CAT reporter constructs activation, whereas treatment with hemin does not. Furthermore, predifferentiation of the cells with hemin blocks a subsequent induction by TPA, in correlation with the inhibition by hemin of megakaryoblastic differentiation markers appearance. Both the induction by TPA and the inhibition by hemin are mediated by a dyad symmetry element (DSE) located in the upstream regulatory region, between -318 and -296. These results suggest that the protein complex binding to the DSE regulatory element is the target for c-fos activation by TPA and inhibition by hemin in K 562 cells. However, no modulation of protein affinity for the DSE sequence was detected by gel shift assay during the course of induction or inhibition, suggesting that the structural change responsible for the transcriptional modulation is too unstable or too subtle to be detected by this method.