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At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (stat) binding sites but not stat3 are required for fasting-induced transcription of agouti-related protein messenger ribonucleic acid.

Energy homeostasis depends on the regulation of hypothalamic neurons by leptin, an adipocyte hormone whose circulating levels communicate body energy stores. Leptin activates the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) in hypothalamic neurons, including neuronal subtypes producing Agouti-related protein (Agrp), a neuropeptide that stimulates feeding. Previous studies have suggested a model in which high levels of Agrp transcription during fasting represent a default state that is actively repressed by phospho-Stat3 induced by leptin signaling in the fed state. We identify putative Stat3 binding elements in the Agrp promoter that have been highly conserved during vertebrate evolution. Using a reporter assay in transgenic mice that faithfully recapitulates normal regulation of Agrp, we show that these sites are required, but in a way opposite to that predicted by the existing model: mutation of the sites leads to a default state characterized by a low level of Agrp transcription and insensitivity to fasting. We also find that removing activatable Stat3 from Agrp neurons has no detectable effect on steady-state levels of Agrp mRNA in the fed or fasted state. These results suggest a new model for transcriptional regulation of orexigenic neuropeptides in which the default level of expression is low in the fed state, and transcriptional activation in response to fasting is mediated by factors other than Stat3.

Agouti-Related Protein↗
PubMed2001

Differential roles for signal transducers and activators of transcription 5a and 5b in PRL stimulation of ERalpha and ERbeta transcription.

PRL has been shown to stimulate mRNA expression of both ERalpha and ERbeta in the rat corpus luteum and decidua of pregnancy. To investigate whether PRL may stimulate ER expression at the level of transcription and which transcription factors may mediate this stimulation, we have cloned the 5'-flanking regions of both rat ER genes. A constitutively active PRL receptor (PRL-R(CA)) stimulated both ERalpha and ERbeta promoter activity, indicating that PRL is acting to stimulate ER transcription. Putative signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)5 response elements were identified at -189 in the ERalpha promoter and at -330 in the ERbeta promoter. Mutation of these response elements or overexpression of dominant negative Stat5 prevented stimulation of ERalpha and ERbeta promoter activity, indicating that PRL regulation of ER expression requires both intact Stat5 binding sites as well as functional Stat5. Interestingly, either Stat5a or Stat5b could stimulate ERalpha transcription while stimulation of ERbeta occurred only in the presence of Stat5b. Through mutational analysis, a single nucleotide difference between the ERalpha and ERbeta Stat5 response elements was shown to be responsible for the lack of Stat5a-mediated stimulation of ERbeta. These findings indicate that PRL stimulation of ER expression occurs at the level of transcription and that PRL regulation of ERalpha can be mediated by either Stat5a or Stat5b, while regulation of ERbeta appears to be mediated only by Stat5b.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Serine phosphorylation of GH-activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a (STAT5a) and STAT5b: impact on STAT5 transcriptional activity.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b), the major liver-expressed STAT5 form, is phosphorylated on both tyrosine and serine in GH-stimulated cells. Although tyrosine phosphorylation is known to be critical for the dimerization, nuclear translocation, and activation of STAT5b DNA-binding and transcriptional activities, the effect of STAT5b serine phosphorylation is uncertain. Presently, we identify Ser730 as the site of STAT5b serine phosphorylation in GH-stimulated liver cells. We additionally show that the serine kinase inhibitor H7 partially blocks the GH-stimulated formation of (Ser,Tyr)-diphosphorylated STAT5b without inhibiting STAT5b nuclear translocation. Evaluation of the functional consequences of STAT5b serine phosphorylation by mutational analysis revealed an approximately 50% decrease in GH-stimulated luciferase reporter gene activity regulated by an isolated STAT5-binding site when STAT5b Ser730 was mutated to alanine and under conditions where STAT5 DNA-binding activity was not diminished. No decrease in GH-stimulated reporter activity was seen with the corresponding STAT5a-Ser725Ala mutant; however, a decrease in reporter activity occurred when the second established STAT5a serine phosphorylation site, serine 779, was additionally mutated to alanine. Unexpectedly, STAT5a-Ser725,779Ala and STAT5b-Ser730Ala displayed approximately 2-fold higher GH- or PRL-stimulated transcriptional activity compared with wild-type STAT5b when assayed using an intact beta-casein promoter-luciferase reporter. Finally, STAT5b-stimulated gene transcription was abolished in cells treated with H7, but in a manner unrelated to the inhibitory effects of H7 on STAT5b Ser730 phosphorylation. These findings suggest that the effects of STAT5b and STAT5a serine phosphorylation on STAT-stimulated gene transcription can be modulated by promoter context. Moreover, in the case of STAT5a, phosphorylation of serine 779, but not serine 725, may serve to regulate target gene transcriptional activity.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1992

3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent transcription of the CYP11A (cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P450) gene involves a DNA response element containing a putative binding site for transcription factor Sp1.

The product of the CYP11A gene, cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P450, catalyzes the initial step of steroidogenesis. A major mechanism whereby steroid hydroxylase gene transcription is regulated in the adrenal cortex requires the pituitary peptide hormone, ACTH, which acts via cAMP. We have previously identified a transcriptional enhancer in the 5'-flanking sequence [-183 to -83 base pairs (bp)] of the bovine CYP11A gene, which activates transcription of a beta-globin promoter/reporter gene in transiently transfected mouse Y1 adrenocortical tumor cells in response to the activator of adenylate cyclase, forskolin. Further deletion analysis has located the minimal cAMP-responsive sequence (CRS) to -118 to -100 bp. Analysis of DNA-protein interactions using nuclear extracts from Y1 cells revealed two protein binding sites, which were shown by competition analysis to be closely related to the two protein binding sites identified previously in the CRS of the human CYP21 gene. Namely, within the cAMP responsive fragment -118 to -100 bp, a sequence with a high degree of similarity to the consensus binding sequence for the ubiquitous transcription factor Sp1 is present, and binding of protein to this site was abolished by competition with excess GC box oligonucleotide. The second partially overlapping site is located 3' of the putative Sp1-binding site and binds to a protein identical or closely related to a putative adrenal-specific protein. Whereas the adrenal-specific protein binding site of the CYP21 CRS was previously shown to be sufficient to confer cAMP-responsive activation of transcription, the homologous site within the CYP11A CRS appears to have an attenuating effect on transcription.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1995

The reduction of insulin gene transcription in HIT-T15 beta cells chronically exposed to high glucose concentration is associated with the loss of RIPE3b1 and STF-1 transcription factor expression.

The most important regulator of insulin gene expression in pancreatic beta- cells is glucose, which affects gene transcription, mRNA translation, and secretion. Insulin gene transcription is both positively and negatively regulated by glucose. Recently, we have shown that the inhibition of insulin gene transcription caused by passaging HIT T-15 beta-cells, in the presence of high glucose, was due, in part, to reduced expression of a key regulator of insulin enhancer-mediated expression, somatostatin transcription factor-1 (STF-1). In this study, we have examined whether the activity of the other essential transcription regulators of insulin gene expression, the RIPE3b1 and insulin control element (ICE) activators, were also influenced in these HIT T-15 cells. The results show that the binding and trans-activation functions of the RIPE3b1 activator are reduced in parallel with the loss in STF-1 and insulin gene expression. In contrast, the regulatory properties of the ICE activator are unaffected. Our studies indicate that insulin gene transcription is inhibited by glucose through a mechanism involving reduced expression of both the RIPE3b1 and STF-1 activators in HIT T-15 cells but is independent of the ICE activator.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Ubc9 interacts with chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor I and represses receptor-dependent transcription.

Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factors (COUP-TFs) are orphan receptors involved in regulation of neurogenesis and organogenesis. COUP-TF family members are generally considered to be transcriptional repressors and several mechanisms have been proposed to underlie this activity. To explore novel transcriptional coregulators for COUP-TFs, we used the COUP-TFI as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen of an adrenocortical adenoma cDNA library. We have identified Ubc9, a class E2 conjugating enzyme of small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)-1 as a COUP-TFI corepressor. Ubc9 interacts with COUP-TFI in yeast and in glutathione S-transferase pulldown and coimmunoprecipitation assays. Fluorescence imaging studies show that both Ubc9 and COUP-TFI are colocalized in the nuclei of transfected COS-1 cells. The C-terminal region of Ubc9 encoding amino acids 59-158 interacts with the C-terminus of COUP-TFI encoding amino acids 383-403, in which transcriptional repression domains are located. Mammalian one-hybrid assays utilizing a variety of Ubc9 fragments fused to Gal4 DNA-binding domain show that a Ubc9 fragment encoding amino acids 1-89 contains autonomous transferrable repression domain. Transfection of Ubc9 into COS-1 cells markedly enhances transcriptional repression by Gal4 DNA-binding domain-fused to COUP-TFI(155-423), but not by Gal4-COUP-TFI(155-388) which lacks a repressor domain. Coexpression of a C-terminal deletion mutant of Ubc9(1-58), which fails to interact with COUP-TFI, but retains a transcriptional repression domain, has no effect on Gal4-COUP-TFI-mediated repression activity. These findings indicate that interaction of Ubc9 with COUP-TFI is crucial for the corepressor function of Ubc9. Overexpression of Ubc9 similarly enhances COUP-TFI-dependent repression of the promoter activity of the bovine CYP17 gene encoding steroid 17alpha-hydroxylase. In addition, the C93S mutant of Ubc9, which abrogates SUMO-1 conjugation activity, continues to function as a COUP-TFI corepressor. Our studies indicate that Ubc9 functions as a novel COUP-TFI corepressor, the function of which is distinct from its SUMO-1 conjugating enzyme activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Activating transcription factor/cAMP response element binding protein family member regulated transcription of CD1A.

CD1a has a unique expression pattern among Ag-presenting molecules, expressed specifically on cortical thymocytes and APCs. As autoimmune disease, infection, and tumors can all result in alteration of CD1a expression, we are attempting to characterize the transcriptional regulation, and thus shed some light on specific expression, of CD1A. In this study, we have identified a minimal proximal promoter region required for CD1A transcription. Computer searches within this region identified numerous potential binding sites for lymphoid-specific transcription factors, including the ETS transcription factors, C/EBP, GATA, and CREB. Deletion and site-specific mutant analysis revealed a critical role of a potential cAMP response element (CRE) 965 bp upstream of the CD1A translation start site. Two activating transcription factor (ATF)/CREB family members, CREB-1 and ATF-2, are able to bind this site in vitro and in vivo. Notably, activation of ATF/CREB family members decreases CD1A transcription, while decrease in ATF-2 expression results in increased CD1A RNA level. The fact that these factors also bind the CD1A promoter in human monocytes strongly suggests a role for ATF/CREB family members in regulation of CD1A expression.

Activating Transcription Factor 2↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Genetic transcription in eukaryotes: from transcriptional factors to disease].

The organisms' genetic information is stored as DNA sequences: the genes. The most important level of gene expression regulation is exerted at the transfer process of this information from the genes into messenger RNA molecules; this process is called transcription and is carried out by a molecular machinery conformed by hundreds of different proteins which are assembled in an ordered step way. These proteins or transcriptional factors are classified according to their mode of action in 4 groups: general transcriptional factors, activators, coactivators and repressors. There are diseases like. Aniridia, the Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome and Hodgkin's disease, in which some transcriptional factor have been involved and in some, the molecular cause i.e. the mutations responsible for the molecular dysfunction in a transcriptional factor has been elucidated. Understanding at the molecular level the transcription process will help to comprehend the relationship of it with the development and health of the organism.

Eukaryotic Cells↗
PubMed2004

[Transcription of c-fos gene and DNA binding activity of transcription factor AP-1 increase upon differentiation of mouse F9 teratocarcinoma cells].

Retinoic acid (RA) causes differentiation of mouse F9 embryonic carcinoma cell line into primitive and parietal (with dibutiril-cAMP) endoderm. The role of AP-1 transcription factor during RA-induced differentiation was studied in F9 cell line. It was shown that differentiated cells acquired protein complexes, which are specifically bound to well characterized AP-1 32P-labeled binding sites from collagenase (Col-AP-1) and c-jun (Jun2-AP-1) promoters. These complexes contain c-Fos/c-Jun with Col-AP-1 site and c-Jun/ATF-2 with Jun2-AP-1 site as revealed by supershift analysis. DNA-binding activity of these complexes is high in parietal endoderm but low-detectable in undifferentiated cells. DNA-binding activity of AP-1 transcription factor correlates with increased expression of c-fos and c-jun genes. RT-PCR analysis showed an increase in steady-state level of c-fos and c-jun gene transcription at the stage of parietal endoderm (terminally differentiated F9 cells). Transcription of immediate early c-fos and c-jun genes and DNA-binding activity of c-Fos/c-Jun complex are serum dependent. The rate of c-fos and c-jun gene transcription and DNA-binding activity of c-Fos/c-Jun complex decreased in serum-starved cells, but was rapidly induced upon stimulation with serum. Undifferentiated F9 cells contain a very low level of c-fos mRNA, with may be a consequence of repressive chromatin structure in promoter region. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is necessary to restrict expression of specific number of genes, also HDAC inhibitors are well known inductors of differentiation and anticancer agents. Frow cytometry analysis showed a decreased rate of proliferation of F9 cells after their incubation with HDAC inhibitors, sodium butirate and trichostatin A. Also, these ihibitors induced the transcription of c-fos gene. So, we conclude that HDAC activity may be necessary to sustain a high proliferative rate of undifferentiated F9 cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Transcriptional coactivator SAYP can suppress transcription in heterochromatin].

The new transcriptional coactivator SAYP binds at many sites to transcriptionally active chromatin of polytene chromosomes, colocalizes with RNA polymerase II, and coactivates transcription. On the other hand, SAYP is present in heterochromatic regions of chromosome IV and in the chromocenter and suppresses transcription of transgenes located in heterochromatin. The conserved SAY domain of SAYP is involved in transcription activation, while its PHD domains are responsible for gene silencing in heterochromatin. Thus, SAYP plays a dual role in regulating transcription in euchromatic and heterochromatic regions.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A general transcription initiation factor, human transcription factor IID, overexpressed in human lung and breast carcinoma and rapidly induced with serum stimulation.

A general transcription factor IID which binds to the TATA box promoter element on RNA polymerase II genes regulates and initiates eukaryotic mRNA synthesis. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction procedure was developed and the human transcription factor IID (hTFIID) transcript was measured in normal human tissues, lung carcinomas, lung carcinoma cell lines, and breast carcinomas. In some normal tissues such as liver, fetal lung, and placenta, relatively low to moderate levels of hTFIID mRNA were detected. In contrast, hTFIID transcript was highly expressed in nearly all solid lung carcinomas and cell lines including both small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. hTFIID mRNA was present to a greater extent in small cell lung cancer than non-small cell lung cancer in solid tumors and cell lines. In solid carcinomas of breast, overexpression of hTFIID was also detected. A serum induction study using a serum-starved small cell lung cancer cell line, Lu134BS, indicated hTFIID transcription to be rapidly induced at 15 min following stimulation and its response essentially similar to that of protooncogene, c-fos. These results indicate the involvement of the expression of the general transcription factor hTFIID in lung and breast carcinoma, such as being associated with poor differentiation and high mitotic activity.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Transcription complex formation at the mouse rDNA promoter involves the stepwise association of four transcription factors and RNA polymerase I.

We have used purified transcription factors and RNA polymerase I (pol I) to analyze the individual steps involved in the formation of transcription initiation complexes at the mouse ribosomal gene promoter in vitro. Complete assembly of transcription complexes requires pol I and at least four auxiliary factors, termed TIF-IA, TIF-IB, TIF-IC, and UBF. Preincubation and template commitment, as well as order of addition protocols, were used to discriminate between various intermediate complexes generated during assembly of the initiation complex. As a first step, TIF-IB binds to the core promoter, a process that is facilitated by the upstream control element and the upstream binding factor (UBF). Binding of TIF-IB to the rDNA promoter results in the formation of a functional preinitiation complex (complex 1), which is stable for many rounds of transcription. UBF, which on its own does not stably associate with the rDNA promoter, triggers a 5-10-fold increase in the overall amount of this primary complex. Following binding of TIF-IB and UBF to the template DNA, pol I and TIF-IC successively bind, yielding complexes 2 and 3, respectively. Transcription-competent initiation complexes are built up by the final association of the growth-regulated factor TIF-IA. The various complexes can be distinguished by their different sensitivity to Sarkosyl. Only the complete complex consisting of all four factors and pol I shows resistance to intermediate concentrations of Sarkosyl (0.045%) and is competent to catalyze the formation of the first phosphodiester bond. The initiated complex is, on the other hand, resistant to high concentrations of Sarkosyl (0.3%). The hierarchical nature of the different complexes formed suggests a model for transcription initiation and predicts functions for the individual factors.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Purified Drosophila transcription factor, Adh distal factor-1 (Adf-1), binds to sites in several Drosophila promoters and activates transcription.

Adh distal factor-1 (Adf-1) is a sequence-specific DNA-binding activity originally identified in Drosophila tissue culture cells and embryos. Adf-1 binds to upstream recognition elements in each of the two promoters of the Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenase gene (Adh), and binding of Adf-1 to the Adh distal promoter site activates transcription. We have carried out a mutational analysis of the Adh distal promoter using both an in vitro transcription assay and a transient transfection assay in Drosophila tissue culture cells, and in both cases find that deletion of sequences required for Adf-1 binding leads to a 3-4-fold drop in transcription. We have purified Adf-1 and demonstrate by a sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel renaturation assay that it is a 34-kDa protein. Purified Adf-1 activates Adh distal promoter transcription in vitro in a binding site-dependent manner. DNase I footprint analysis shows that the purified protein binds not only to the two previously characterized sites in Adh but also to transcriptional regulatory elements in the dopa decarboxylase (Ddc) and Antennapedia (Antp) P1 promoters. Thus, it appears that Adf-1 may play an important role not only in the regulation of Adh expression but also in the transcription of other Drosophila genes as well.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1989

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of human MHC class II genes require the synthesis of short-lived proteins.

We have studied the stability of protein factors which control the intracellular levels of human MHC class II genes in B cells. We report that human MHC class II gene transcription and mRNA stability require the synthesis of short-lived proteins which undergo rapid intracellular turnover. We found, in fact, that the amount of MHC class II mRNA produced by human B lymphoma or B lymphoblastoid cell lines abruptly decreased upon cultivation of cells in the presence of cycloheximide, a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis. Measurements of the rate of mRNA transcription in nuclei isolated from treated cells indicated that a cycloheximide-sensitive activator protein is needed to allow MHC class II mRNA transcription initiation. Likewise, comparison of mRNA turnover rate in cells treated with actinomycin D, an inhibitor of RNA synthesis, and in cycloheximide-treated cells shows that a post-transcriptional factor is required to stabilized human MHC class II mRNA by a factor of 8- to 10-fold in B cells. These results indicate that, along with the trans- and cis-acting factors required for transcriptional control, a series of signals must exist in B cells which implement a post-transcriptional level of regulation of MHC class II gene expression in B cells.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1983

Rho-dependent termination of transcription. I. Identification and characterization of termination sites for transcription from the bacteriophage lambda PR promoter.

We have conducted a detailed investigation of in vitro transcription from the bacteriophage lambda PR promoter in order to examine various aspects of the mechanism of rho-dependent termination. In these studies, we have focused particularly on nucleotide sequence specificity, both at the termini and at potential rho-binding sites on the mRNA, and on the relationships between elongation, pausing, and termination. Rho-terminated transcripts from restriction fragment templates have been analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and termination efficiencies have been established by densitometry of autoradiographs. Termination sites on the template have been located by comparing the electrophoretic mobilities of terminated transcripts with those of transcripts of known length that have been artificially terminated by the incorporation of 3'-O-methyl nucleotides. We have identified five discrete rho-dependent termination sites located between 290 and 450 base pairs downstream from the lambda PR promoter. These rho-dependent 3'-termini are somewhat heterogeneous in details of sequence and potential RNA secondary structure, but all possess features that appear to be characteristic of RNA polymerase elongation pausing sites (Morgan, W. D., Bear, D. G., and von Hippel, P. H. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 9565-9574). The efficiency of termination at individual sites ranges from 20 to 70% under the usual in vitro transcription conditions; termination is inhibited by increasing the monovalent salt concentration. Lowering nucleoside triphosphate substrate concentrations increases termination efficiency at some sites located 290 or more base pairs downstream from PR, but does not enhance termination at sites closer to PR. The substitution of inosine for guanosine residues in the transcript, which decreases the stability of the RNA-DNA hybrid and of secondary structure in the nascent mRNA, results in strong rho-dependent termination at several new sites located 100 to 260 base pairs downstream from PR. In Morgan et al. (cited above), data on RNA polymerase elongation pausing as a function of reaction conditions are correlated with these termination results, and a general model for rho-dependent termination is discussed.

Bacteriophage lambda↗
PubMed1996

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional induction of the TGFalpha gene in transformed rat liver epithelial cells.

Although TGFalpha mRNA and protein are frequently elevated in neoplastic cells, neither the level at which deregulation occurs nor the mechanism(s) responsible have been well characterized. As a first step, we examined the induction of TGFalpha mRNA in two series of clonally-derived rat liver epithelial cell lines that were transformed either by exposure to chemical carcinogen or stable transfection of activated Ha-ras. We found that steady-state levels of TGFalpha mRNA in both series of transformed lines were induced 25- to 50-fold over those in the respective normal parental cells. This induction, which occurred without amplification of the TGF alpha gene, was accompanied by at least a five- to 10-fold increase in transcription along the entire length of the gene with no evidence of a transcriptional attenuation or arrest mechanism in the normal cells. Analysis of the TGFalpha promoter and flanking regions did not support a correlation between the extent of methylation and the level of expression, but did reveal several DNase I hypersensitive sites spanning from -14 to +8 kilobases. Two of these sites were differentially observed in cells displaying high and low TGFalpha gene transcription, while a third site correlated with TPA-induced expression. Finally, measurement of TGFalpha mRNA decay in the presence of Actinomycin D revealed a consistent 1.5- to 3.2-fold increase in the half-life of the TGFalpha transcript in the various transformed cell lines. These results indicate that transformation-mediated induction of TGFalpha gene expression in rat liver epithelial cells occurs through both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms, but is primarily the result of TGFalpha promoter activation.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Transcription factors as activators of gene transcription: AP-1 and NF-kappa B.

Cells respond to a range of cytokines and other inflammatory stimuli by selectively expressing a wide range of genes. These proinflammatory signals bind to receptors and initiate intracellular signalling cascades. This results in the activation of proinflammatory deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-binding proteins or transcription factors such as activator protein-1 (AP-1) or nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B). Following activation, these factors bind to specific recognition sequences in the control regions (promoters) of target genes causing modulation of gene transcription. Furthermore, numerous sites for regulation of cytokine and cytokine receptor genes by these transcription factors are found in their promoter regions. Many factors affect the formation and activity of AP-1 dimers (Fos and Jun heterodimers) through protein specific interactions or by the modulation of pre-existing complexes by phosphorylation. These complexes can vary markedly in their ability to stimulate gene transcription. Thus, induction of AP-1 activity is regulated by stimuli that either induce the de novo synthesis of AP-1 subunits or increase the activity of previously formed AP-1 dimers. NF-kappa B is activated by a number of agents including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and viruses. NF-kappa B plays a central role in a range of immunological responses due to its ability to switch on inflammatory genes which lead to further activation of NF-kappa B is a heterodimer of proteins which vary in their ability to bind to DNA and/or to activate gene transcription. NF-kappa B activation is primarily regulated by sequestration of heterodimers within the cytoplasm as inactive complexes with inhibitory molecules (inhibitory-kappa B (I-kappa B)). Treatment of cells with inducing agents results in the phosphorylation of the I-kappa B molecule which is targeted for rapid degradation. This causes a rapid dissociation of the cytoplasmic NF-kappa B/I-kappa B complexes and allows translocation of the active NF-kappa B to the nucleus. Cross-coupling between NF-kappa B and AP-1 has been described which results in a synergistic increase in activity at both AP-1 and NF-kappa B sites. Elevation of both AP-1 and NF-kappa B, as reported in asthma, may therefore lead to far greater inflammation than would be present if either transcription factor alone were activated.

Cytokines↗
PubMed2005

In vitro analysis of huntingtin-mediated transcriptional repression reveals multiple transcription factor targets.

Transcriptional dysregulation has emerged as a potentially important pathogenic mechanism in Huntington's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder associated with polyglutamine expansion in the huntingtin (htt) protein. Here, we report the development of a biochemically defined in vitro transcription assay that is responsive to mutant htt. We demonstrate that both gene-specific activator protein Sp1 and selective components of the core transcription apparatus, including TFIID and TFIIF, are direct targets inhibited by mutant htt in a polyglutamine-dependent manner. The RAP30 subunit of TFIIF specifically interacts with mutant htt both in vitro and in vivo to interfere with formation of the RAP30-RAP74 native complex. Importantly, overexpression of RAP30 in cultured primary striatal cells protects neurons from mutant htt-induced cellular toxicity and alleviates the transcriptional inhibition of the dopamine D2 receptor gene by mutant htt. Our results suggest a mutant htt-directed repression mechanism involving multiple specific components of the basal transcription apparatus.

Animals↗