Reverse engineering gene regulatory networks.
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Oxygen is vital for the development and survival of mammals. In response to hypoxia, the brain initiates numerous adaptive responses at the organ level as well as at the molecular and cellular levels, including the alteration of gene expression. Astrocytes play critical roles in the proper functioning of the brain; thus the manner in which astrocytes respond to hypoxia is likely important in determining the outcome of brain hypoxia. Here, we used microarray gene expression profiling and data-analysis algorithms to identify and analyze hypoxia-responsive genes in primary human astrocytes. We also compared gene expression patterns in astrocytes with those in human HeLa cells and pulmonary artery endothelial cells (ECs). Remarkably, in astrocytes, five times as many genes were induced as suppressed, whereas in HeLa and pulmonary ECs, as many as or more genes were suppressed than induced. More genes encoding hypoxia-inducible functions, such as glycolytic enzymes and angiogenic growth factors, were strongly induced in astrocytes compared with HeLa cells. Furthermore, gene ontology and computational algorithms revealed that many target genes of the EGF and insulin signaling pathways and the transcriptional regulators Myc, Jun, and p53 were selectively altered by hypoxia in astrocytes. Indeed, Western blot analysis confirmed that two major signal transducers mediating insulin and EGF action, Akt and MEK1/2, were activated by hypoxia in astrocytes. These results provide a global view of the signaling and regulatory network mediating oxygen regulation in human astrocytes.
Cartilage has unique physical characteristics attributable to the presence of an unusually high content of proteoglycan embedded in the network of collagen fibrils. Advances in understanding the structure of these components and how their synthesis is regulated have been greatly assisted by the application of molecular biology. For example, an immortalized rat chondrocyte cell line was obtained by infection with a recombinant retrovirus encoding the myc gene product. Several positive and negative DNA regulatory elements of the collagen II gene have been identified that appear to be important in the regulation of this gene in chondrocytes. The complete primary structure of the cartilage proteoglycan (aggrecan) core protein deduced from cDNA sequence displays a complex multidomain structure including numerous repeats of Ser-Gly sequences and sequence homologies with link protein and animal lectins. Such studies advance our understanding of normal morphogenetic events and lay the groundwork for determining the basis of molecular and genetic defects.
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The essential genes, proteins and associated regulatory networks involved in the entry into the mammalian cell cycle are identified, from activation of growth-factor receptors to intracellular signal transduction pathways that impinge on the cell cycle machinery and ultimately on the initiation of DNA replication. Signaling pathways mediated by the oncoproteins Ras and Myc induce the activation of cyclin-dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK2, and the assembly and firing of pre-replication complexes require a collaboration among E2F, CDK2, and Cdc7 kinase. A proposed core mechanism of the restriction point, the major checkpoint prior to commitment to DNA synthesis, involves cyclin E/CDK2, the phosphatase Cdc25A, and the CDK inhibitor p27Kip1. (c) 2001 American Institute of Physics.
Progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle is regulated, in part, by the pRB-family proteins, pRB and p107. The basis for this regulation is due to a network of interactions between the pRB-family proteins, pRB, p107, and p130; the E2F-family of transcription factors; and cyclins D, E, and A. One of the pRB-family proteins, p107, has also been found to bind to the transactivation domain of the c-Myc proto-oncogene. This region in c-Myc is frequently mutated in tumors such as Burkitt's lymphoma, HIV-associated lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. The binding of p107 and regulation of c-Myc may conceivably be disrupted not only by mutations in c-Myc, but possibly by mutations in p107. In order to determine if mutations in p107 are indeed present in mouse B-cell tumors which exhibit a lower frequency of c-Myc mutation, we have cloned the mouse p107 cDNA and compared this sequence with its human counterpart. We find that the extreme N-terminal and C-terminal regions are the most conserved between human and mouse p107 sequences. Chromosomal positioning of the locus for p107 (designated Rbl1) as well as E2f1 to the distal end of mouse Chromosome (Chr) 2 also suggests a close but unlinked genetic relationship between these cell cycle regulatory transcription factors.
The members of the Myc/Max/Mad network function as transcriptional regulators. Substantial evidence has been accumulated over the last years that support the model that Myc/Max/Mad proteins affect different aspects of cell behavior, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, by modulating distinct target genes. The unbalanced expression of these genes, e.g. in response to deregulated Myc expression, is most likely an important aspect of Myc's ability to stimulate tumor formation. Myc and Mad proteins affect target gene expression by recruiting chromatin remodeling activities. In particular Myc interacts with a SWI/SNF-like complex that may contain ATPase activity. In addition Myc binds to TRRAP complexes that possess histone acetyl transferase activity. Mad proteins, that antagonize Myc function, recruit an mSin3 repressor complex with histone deacetylase activity. Thus the antagonism of Myc and Mad proteins is explained at the molecular level by the recruitment of opposing chromatin remodeling activities.
Microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF) and STAT3 are two transcription factors that play a major role in the regulation of growth and function of mast cells and melanocytes. We have previously provided experimental evidence regarding the functional cross-talk between MITF, protein inhibitor of activated STAT3, and STAT3 in response to cytokine activation of mast cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that binding of different IgE molecules to their FcepsilonRI induces a spectrum of intracellular events in the absence of specific Ag. In this work, we show for the first time that, in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells and in rat basophilic leukemia cells, monomeric IgE alone can induce the MITF-protein inhibitor of activated STAT3-STAT3 network of interactions and leads to phosphorylation of MITF at S73 and of STAT3 at both tyrosine 705 and S727. This phosphorylation increases the transcriptional activity of MITF and STAT3 as indicated by mRNA accumulation of their target genes such as Bcl-2, granzyme B, and c-Myc. Interestingly, MITF and STAT3 were not found to be obligatory factors in the anti-apoptotic response induced by IgE. Thus, the phenomenon that IgE alone was able to induce transcription factors that are essential for mast cell function could contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis of allergy and its associated diseases.
Unmethylated CpG motifs interact with Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), triggering an innate immune response characterized by the production of cytokines, chemokines and immunoglobulins. Microarray analysis of cDNA from murine spleen cells stimulated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) identified reproducible changes in gene expression over time. Eight genes are significantly up-regulated 2h post CpG ODN stimulation, most of which contribute to the induction of innate or adaptive immune responses. Network analysis indicates that TNF and NFKB1 are key regulators of gene expression at this early time point. At 4h, IL1B in addition to TNF and NFKB1 play dominant roles in the up-regulation of immune gene expression, whereas by 8h this function is mediated by TNF, IFNG, and MYC. Genes responsible for down-regulating CpG-induced responses were also identified, dampening what would otherwise be a continuous positive feedback loop. This work provides novel insights into the regulatory process embedded in the gene expression profile induced by CpG ODN, identifies novel genes associated with CpG-induced immune stimulation, and clarifies the breadth of the immune response elicited via TLR9.
PURPOSE: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent psychological condition among birthing women. While several psycho-socio-economic and neurobiological factors influence its development, its relationship with smoking behavior and nicotine addiction remains largely inconclusive. METHODS: In this combinatorial study, we first evaluate the relationship between smoking and depressive behaviors in postpartum women using data extracted from pertinent primary epidemiological studies. Additionally, to discern the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this association, we identified common genetic elements and evaluated their functional attributes using in silico analyses. RESULTS: Meta-analytical assessment of systematically collected data from 38 studies indicated that smoking women are twice as likely to develop PPD, compared to their non-smoking counterparts. While geocultural attributes did not affect this relationship, timing of smoking was a significant moderator, with current and gestational smoking statuses being more strongly linked with PPD outcome, compared to the past smoking habit. Further, depression scores in smoking postpartum women were higher than those in non-smoking controls. Analysis of the common protein-encoding genes underlying the pathophysiology of nicotine addiction and PPD revealed several critical hub proteins (viz., AKT1, JUN, CTNNB1, PTEN, EGFR, ESR1, SRC, STAT3, FN1, IL1B, IL6, TNF, TP53, GAPDH, INS, MYC, and ALB) which were predicted to alter multiple pathophysiological pathways associated with transcriptional expression, intra- and intercellular signaling transduction, metabolism, and immune functions. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that smoking is strongly associated with depressive behavior in postpartum women, although this association involve mediation of additional environmental and psychosocial elements. Moreover, network analysis of common genetic elements identified several potentially disrupted neurophysiological pathways in postpartum women with smoking and depressive behaviors which may aid in characterizing the underlying relationship between the two conditions.
Osteoclasts, the bone resorbing cells, play a key role both in normal bone remodeling and in the skeletal osteopenia of arthritis, osteoporosis, periodontal disease and certain malignancies. Osteoclast cellular commitment, differentiation and function depend upon the establishment of specific patterns of gene expression achieved through networks of transcription factors activated by osteoclastogenic cytokines. This review is an updated look at the various transcription factors and cytokines that have been demonstrated to play critical roles in osteoclast differentiation and function, along with their known animal models, such as: PU.1, Mcsf, RANKL, NF-kappaB, AP-1, NFATc1, Mitf, Myc, and Src. Further studies on these transcription factors and cytokines will not only expand our basic understanding of the molecular mechanisms of osteoclast differentiation, but will also aid our ability to develop therapeutic means of intervention in osteoclast-related diseases.
Although a number of target genes for the tumor suppressor p53 have been described, the mechanism of p53-dependent apoptosis is incompletely understood. Thus, it is essential to identify and characterize additional target genes that could mediate apoptosis. In the study reported here, we isolated a p53-regulated gene named NDRG1 (N-Myc down-regulated gene 1). Its expression is induced by DNA damage in a p53-dependent fashion. The promoter region of the NDRG1 gene contains a p53 binding site that confers p53-dependent transcriptional activation via a heterologous reporter. RNA interference and inducible gene expression approaches suggest that NDRG1 is necessary but not sufficient for p53-mediated caspase activation and apoptosis. This report further supports the notion that p53 controls a network of genes that are required for its apoptotic function.
The strength and duration of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling have been shown to regulate cell fate in different cell types. In this study, a general mechanism is described that explains how subtle differences in signaling kinetics are translated into a specific biological outcome. In fibroblasts, the expression of immediate early gene (IEG)-encoded Fos, Jun, Myc, and early growth response gene 1 (Egr-1) transcription factors is significantly extended by sustained extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1 and -2) signaling. Several of these proteins contain functional docking site for ERK, FXFP (DEF) domains that serve to locally concentrate the active kinase, thus showing that they can function as ERK sensors. Sustained ERK signaling regulates the posttranslational modifications of these IEG-encoded sensors, which contributes to their sustained expression during the G(1)-S transition. DEF domain-containing sensors can also interpret the small changes in ERK signal strength that arise from less than a threefold reduction in agonist concentration. As a result, downstream target gene expression and cell cycle progression are significantly changed.
We examined the promoter of the human type-I-DNA topoisomerase gene (hTOP1) for regions protected against DNase I digestion by nuclear proteins from HeLa or from adenovirus-transformed 293 cells. We identified ten protected DNA sequences within 580 bp of DNA upstream of the transcriptional-start sites and one additional site, which is located between the two clusters of transcriptional-start sites. Several of these protein-binding sites have significant similarities to recognition sequences of known transcription factors including factors Sp1, octamer transcription factor, cAMP-responsive-element-binding protein (CREB/ATF), NF-kappa B and members of the Myc-related family of basic/helix-loop-helix/leucine-zipper proteins. Other protein-binding sites show less or no similarities to known consensus sequences. We investigated the physiological significance of these protein-binding sites using a set of deletion and nucleotide-exchange mutants. We conclude that the expression of the hTOP1 gene is regulated by a complex network of negatively and positively acting transcription factors.
The N terminus of the human MUC2 mucin (amino acids 1-1397) has been expressed as a recombinant tagged protein in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The intracellular form was found to be an endoglycosidase H-sensitive monomer, whereas the secreted form was an oligomer that gave monomers upon disulfide bond reduction. The secreted MUC2 N terminus contained a trypsin-resistant core fragment. Edman sequencing and mass spectrometry of the peptides obtained localized this core fragment to the C-terminal end of the recombinant protein. This core retained its oligomeric nature with an apparent mass of approximately 240 kDa. Upon reduction, peptides of approximately 85 kDa were found, suggesting that the N terminus forms trimers. This interpretation was also supported by gel electrophoresis and gel filtration of the intact MUC2 N terminus. Electron microscopy revealed three globular domains each linked via an extended and flexible region to a central part in a trefoil-like manner. Immunostaining with gold-labeled antibodies localized the N-terminal end to the three globular structures, and the antibodies directed against the Myc and green fluorescent protein tags attached at the C terminus localized these to the stalk side of the central trefoil. The N terminus of the MUC2 mucin is thus assembled into trimers that contain proteolytically stable parts, suggesting that MUC2 can only be partly degraded by intestinal proteases and thus is able to maintain a mucin network protecting the intestine.
Childhood endodermal sinus tumors (CEST) are a distinct category of germ cell tumors that involve the testis and extragonadal sites of young children. Recurrent deletions of 1p and 6q have been reported by classic cytogenetic analysis of a small number of cases. Comparative genomic hybridization, a technique that screens the entire genome for genetic abnormalities, is applied to additionally define the genetic changes present in CESTs. Sixteen frozen CESTs (10 testicular, 6 extragonadal) obtained from Pediatric Oncology Group-affiliated institutions or from the Cooperative Human Tissue Network were analyzed. The most common changes were gain of 20q (10 tumors), 1q (6 tumors), 11q and 22 (4 tumors each), and loss of 6q (8 tumors with common deleted region of 6q24-qter), 16q (4 tumors), and 1p (4 tumors). Localized regions of gain were identified at 8q24 (2 tumors both showing c-myc amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization). Gain of 12p, characteristic of adolescent germ cell tumor, was present in one testicular tumor. Comparative genomic hybridization was useful in defining genetic differences between adult and childhood tumors, in determining the common regions deleted on chromosome 6, and in identifying other involved loci to be correlated with clinical parameters in future studies.
We have prepared recombinant cDNAs encoding chimaeras between human preproinsulin (sp.B.C.A., for B-, Connecting- and A-peptides) and a thermostable mutant of green fluorescent protein (GFPS65T,V163A, GFP*). The subcellular localization of the expressed chimaeras was monitored in living insulin-secreting INS-1 beta-cells by laser scanning confocal microscopy. When GFP* was fused at the immediate N-terminus of the B-chain (sp.[GFP*].B.C.A.myc) two distinct patterns of fluorescence were apparent. In 1530/1740 cells examined, fluorescence was confined to a reticular, exclusively extranuclear structure, and closely co-localized with the endoplasmic reticulum marker, calreticulin. However, 210/1740 (12.1%) of cells displayed punctate fluorescence, which partially co-localized with the trans-Golgi network marker, TGN 38, and with the dense core secretory granule marker, phogrin. Since secretion of GFP* fluorescence into the medium could not readily be measured, we prepared a chimaera in which firefly luciferase was fused at the C-terminus of proinsulin (sp.B.C.A.myc.[Luc]). This chimaera displayed a distribution closely similar to that of sp.[GFP*].B.C.A. myc, but with a lower proportion (15/310, 4.8%) of the cells showing clear punctate distribution. At substimulatory glucose concentrations (3 mM) secretion of sp.B.C.A.myc.[Luc] could not be detected (rate of release into the medium identical with that of the cytosolic Renilla reniformis luciferase), indicating that the chimaera did not enter the constitutive secretory pathway. However, elevated (30 mM) glucose stimulated the release of the sp.B.C.A.myc. [Luc] luciferase chimaera, without a detectable effect on R. reniformis luciferase release. These data suggest that fusion of insulin, and the much larger photoproteins GFP* and luciferase, leads predominantly to misfolding and retention in the endoplasmic reticulum. However, the properly folded chimaeras are apparently still correctly targeted to the regulated, rather than the constitutive, secretory pathway. These chimaeras should therefore be valuable tools to monitor the exocytosis of insulin in real time.