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Chen Y, Wu Y, Li J, Chen K, Wang W, Ye Z, Feng K, Yang Y, Xu Y, Kang J, Guo X. Cooperative regulation of Zhx1 and hnRNPA1 drives the cardiac progenitor-specific transcriptional activation during cardiomyocyte differentiation. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:244. [PMID: 37452012 PMCID: PMC10349095 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01548-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The zinc finger proteins (ZNFs) mediated transcriptional regulation is critical for cell fate transition. However, it is still unclear how the ZNFs realize their specific regulatory roles in the stage-specific determination of cardiomyocyte differentiation. Here, we reported that the zinc fingers and homeoboxes 1 (Zhx1) protein, transiently expressed during the cell fate transition from mesoderm to cardiac progenitors, was indispensable for the proper cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse and human embryonic stem cells. Moreover, Zhx1 majorly promoted the specification of cardiac progenitors via interacting with hnRNPA1 and co-activated the transcription of a wide range of genes. In-depth mechanistic studies showed that Zhx1 was bound with hnRNPA1 by the amino acid residues (Thr111-His120) of the second Znf domain, thus participating in the formation of cardiac progenitors. Together, our study highlights the unrevealed interaction of Zhx1/hnRNPA1 for activating gene transcription during cardiac progenitor specification and also provides new evidence for the specificity of cell fate determination in cardiomyocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yukang Wu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jianguo Li
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Wuchan Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Zihui Ye
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Ke Feng
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yiwei Yang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yanxin Xu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jiuhong Kang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Xudong Guo
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
- Institute for Advanced Study, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Bao Y, Zhang H, Han Z, Guo Y, Yang W. Zinc Fingers and Homeobox Family in Cancer: A Double-Edged Sword. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911167. [PMID: 36232466 PMCID: PMC9570228 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The zinc fingers and homeobox (ZHX) family includes ZHX1, ZHX2, and ZHX3, and their proteins have similar unique structures, containing two C2H2-type zinc finger motifs and four or five HOX-like homeodomains. The members of the ZHX family can form homodimers or heterodimers with each other or with a subunit of nuclear factor Y. Previous studies have suggested that ZHXs can function as positive or negative transcriptional regulators. Recent studies have further revealed their biological functions and underlying mechanisms in cancers. This review summarized the advances of ZHX-mediated functions, including tumor-suppressive and oncogenic functions in cancer formation and progression, the molecular mechanisms, and regulatory functions, such as cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, the differential expression levels and their association with good or poor outcomes in patients with various malignancies and differential responses to chemotherapy exert opposite functions of oncogene or tumor suppressors. Therefore, the ZHXs act as a double-edged sword in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghua Bao
- Department of Pathology, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang 157011, China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang 157011, China
| | - Zhixue Han
- Department of Pathology, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang 157011, China
| | - Yongchen Guo
- Department of Immunology, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang 157011, China
- Correspondence: (Y.G.); (W.Y.)
| | - Wancai Yang
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Correspondence: (Y.G.); (W.Y.)
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Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is characterized by the loss of tumor suppressor Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) function. VHL is the component of an E3 ligase complex that promotes the ubiquitination and degradation of hypoxia inducible factor α (HIF-α) (including HIF1α and HIF2α) and Zinc Fingers And Homeoboxes 2 (ZHX2). Our recent research showed that ZHX2 contributed to ccRCC tumorigenesis in a HIF-independent manner. However, it is still unknown whether ZHX2 could be modified through deubiquitination even in the absence of pVHL. Here, we performed a deubiquitinase (DUB) complementary DNA (cDNA) library binding screen and identified USP13 as a DUB that bound ZHX2 and promoted ZHX2 deubiquitination. As a result, USP13 promoted ZHX2 protein stability in an enzymatically dependent manner, and depletion of USP13 led to ZHX2 down-regulation in ccRCC. Functionally, USP13 depletion led to decreased cell proliferation measured by two-dimensional (2D) colony formation and three-dimensional (3D) anchorage-independent growth. Furthermore, USP13 was essential for ccRCC tumor growth in vivo, and the effect was partially mediated by its regulation on ZHX2. Our findings support that USP13 may be a key effector in ccRCC tumorigenesis.
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Nail AN, Smith JJ, Peterson ML, Spear BT. Evolutionary Analysis of the Zinc Finger and Homeoboxes Family of Proteins Identifies Multiple Conserved Domains and a Common Early Chordate Ancestor. Genome Biol Evol 2020; 12:174-184. [PMID: 32125369 PMCID: PMC7144352 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Zinc Fingers and Homeoboxes (Zhx) proteins, Zhx1, Zhx2, and Zhx3, comprise a small family of proteins containing two amino-terminal C2–H2 zinc fingers and four or five carboxy-terminal homeodomains. These multiple homeodomains make Zhx proteins unusual because the majority of homeodomain-containing proteins contain a single homeodomain. Studies in cultured cells and mice suggest that Zhx proteins can function as positive or negative transcriptional regulators. Zhx2 regulates numerous hepatic genes, and all three Zhx proteins have been implicated in different cancers. Because Zhx proteins contain multiple predicted homeodomains, are associated with interesting physiological traits, and seem to be only present in the vertebrate lineage, we investigated the evolutionary history of this small family by comparing Zhx homologs from a wide range of chordates. This analysis indicates that the zinc finger motifs and homeodomains are highly similar among all Zhx proteins and also identifies additional Zhx-specific conserved regions, including a 13 amino acid amino-terminal motif that is nearly identical among all gnathostome Zhx proteins. We found single Zhx proteins in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and in the nonvertebrate chordates sea squirt (Ciona intestinalis) and lancelet (Branchiostoma floridae); these Zhx proteins are most similar to gnathostome Zhx3. Based on our analyses, we propose that a duplication of the primordial Zhx gene gave rise to Zhx3 and the precursor to Zhx1 and Zhx2. A subsequent tandem duplication of this precursor generated Zhx1 and Zhx2 found in gnathostomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra N Nail
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky
| | - Jeramiah J Smith
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky
| | - Martha L Peterson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky
| | - Brett T Spear
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky
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Xin Y, Zhang W, Mao C, Li J, Liu X, Zhao J, Xue J, Li J, Ren Y. LncRNA LINC01140 Inhibits Glioma Cell Migration and Invasion via Modulation of miR-199a-3p/ZHX1 Axis. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:1833-1844. [PMID: 32184618 PMCID: PMC7053821 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s230895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Glioma is an aggressive tumor from the nervous system, which causes more than 70% of primary malignant brain tumors. Considering its severe malignancy, there is an urgent need to investigate more practical markers to understand the pathogenesis of glioma, and potential treatment methods for glioma patients. In the paper, we are focused on examining the roles of LINC01140, miR-199a-3p, and ZHX1 in the progression of gliomas, as well as their inner associations and modulation mechanisms. METHODS qRT-PCR was employed to examine the expression levels of LINC01140 and miR-199a-3p. We measured the expressions of ZHX1 via qRT-PCR and Western blotting. CCK8 assays, migration assays, and invasion assays were carried out to determine the cell viabilities and abilities of migration and invasion. We also conducted in vivo tumor growth experiments to investigate the roles of LINC01140 in glioma developments. RESULTS The expressions of LINC01140 were promoted in glioma. Silencing LINC01140 could inhibit glioma cell viabilities, migration, and invasion. In our experiments, miR-199a-3p was inhibited in glioma. LINC01140 negatively regulated the expressions of miR-199a-3p in glioma. MiR-199a-3p could target ZHX1 to inhibit its expression in glioma cells. CONCLUSION LINC01140 could promote glioma developments by modulating the miR-199a-3p/ZHX1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchao Xin
- Department of Neurosurgery, People’s Hospital of Jiaozuo City, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province454002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wuzhong Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, People’s Hospital of Jiaozuo City, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province454002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chongchong Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in Henan Province, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province450052, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianxin Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, People’s Hospital of Jiaozuo City, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province454002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xianzhi Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in Henan Province, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province450052, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junbo Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, People’s Hospital of Jiaozuo City, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province454002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junfeng Xue
- Department of Neurosurgery, People’s Hospital of Jiaozuo City, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province454002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junqing Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, People’s Hospital of Jiaozuo City, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province454002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yonglu Ren
- Department of Neurosurgery, People’s Hospital of Jiaozuo City, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province454002, People’s Republic of China
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Kwon RJ, Han ME, Kim YJ, Kim YH, Kim JY, Liu L, Heo W, Oh SO. Roles of zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 during the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioblastoma cells. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317694575. [PMID: 28351300 DOI: 10.1177/1010428317694575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 (ZHX1) is a nuclear transcription repressor and known to be involved in cell differentiation and tumorigenesis. However, the pathophysiological roles of ZHX1 have not been characterized in glioblastoma. We examined ZHX1 expression in glioblastoma patients' tissues and analyzed overall survival of the patients based on expression level of ZHX1. We also examined the effects of ZHX1 on proliferation and motility of glioblastoma cells. In silico analysis and immunohistochemical studies showed that the messenger RNA and protein expressions of ZHX1 were higher in the tissues of glioblastoma patients than in normal brain tissues, and that its overexpression was associated with reduced survival. In vitro, the downregulation of ZHX1 decreased the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioblastoma cells, whereas its upregulation had the opposite effects. In addition, we showed ZHX1 could contribute to glioblastoma progression via the regulations of TWIST1 and SNAI2. Taken together, this study demonstrates that ZHX1 plays crucial roles in the progression of glioblastoma, and its findings suggest that ZHX1 be viewed as a potential prognostic maker and therapeutic target of glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuk-Jun Kwon
- 1 Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.,2 Gene & Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Myoung-Eun Han
- 1 Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.,2 Gene & Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Jae Kim
- 3 Specific Organs Cancer Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Hak Kim
- 1 Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.,2 Gene & Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Young Kim
- 1 Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.,2 Gene & Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Liangwen Liu
- 1 Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.,2 Gene & Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Heo
- 4 Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sae-Ock Oh
- 1 Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.,2 Gene & Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
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7
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Kwon RJ, Han ME, Kim JY, Liu L, Kim YH, Jung JS, Oh SO. ZHX1 Promotes the Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Cholangiocarcinoma Cells. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165516. [PMID: 27835650 PMCID: PMC5105949 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 (ZHX1) is a transcription repressor that has been associated with the progressions of hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, and breast cancer. However, the functional roles of ZHX1 in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) have not been determined. We investigated the expression and roles of ZHX1 during the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CCA cells. In silico analysis and immunohistochemical studies showed amplification and overexpression of ZHX1 in CCA tissues. Furthermore, ZHX1 knockdown using specific siRNAs decreased CCA cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas ZHX1 overexpression promoted all three characteristics. In addition, results suggested EGR1 might partially mediate the effect of ZHX1 on the proliferation of CCA cells. Taken together, these results show ZHX1 promotes CCA cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and present ZHX1 as a potential target for the treatment of CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuk-Jun Kwon
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Gene & Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Myoung-Eun Han
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Gene & Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-young Kim
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Gene & Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Liangwen Liu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Gene & Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Hak Kim
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Gene & Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Sup Jung
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Sae-Ock Oh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Gene & Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Busandaehak-ro 49, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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8
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Ma X, Huang M, Wang Z, Liu B, Zhu Z, Li C. ZHX1 Inhibits Gastric Cancer Cell Growth through Inducing Cell-Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis. J Cancer 2016; 7:60-8. [PMID: 26722361 PMCID: PMC4679382 DOI: 10.7150/jca.12973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 (ZHX1) was implicated in the carcinogenesis of human cancers. However, little is known about the role of ZHX1 in gastric cancer (GC). Here, we found that ZHX1 was downregulated in GC tissues compared with paired non-tumor tissues and loss of ZHX1 expression correlated with aggressive clinical characteristics of GC patients. ZHX1 induced G1/S arrest by decreasing cyclin D1 and cyclin E expression, and induced cell apoptosis by Bcl2 downregulation and Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 upregulation. Our findings revealed that ZHX1 could inhibit cell growth through inducing cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingjie Ma
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Minlu Huang
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Zhenqiang Wang
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Bingya Liu
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Zhenggang Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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9
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Doig CL, Battaglia S, Khanim FL, Bunce CM, Campbell MJ. Knockdown of AKR1C3 exposes a potential epigenetic susceptibility in prostate cancer cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 155:47-55. [PMID: 26429394 PMCID: PMC5391256 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) has been heavily implicated in the propagation of prostate malignancy. AKR1C3 protein is elevated within prostate cancer tissue, it contributes to the formation of androgens and downstream stimulation of the androgen receptor (AR). Elevated expression of AKR1C3 is also reported in acute myeloid leukemia but the target nuclear receptors have been identified as members of the peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor (PPARs) subfamily. Thus, AKR1C3 cancer biology is likely to be tissue dependent and hormonally linked to the availability of ligands for both the steroidogenic and non-steroidogenic nuclear receptors. METHODS In the current study we investigated the potential for AKR1C3 to regulate the availability of prostaglandin-derived ligands for PPARg mainly, prostaglandin J2 (PGJ2). Using prostate cancer cell lines with stably reduced AKR1C3 levels we examined the impact of AKR1C3 upon proliferation mediated by PPAR ligands. RESULTS These studies revealed knockdown of AKR1C3 had no effect upon the sensitivity of androgen receptor independent prostate cancer cells towards PPAR ligands. However, the reduction of levels of AKR1C3 was accompanied by a significantly reduced mRNA expression of a range of HDACs, transcriptional co-regulators, and increased sensitivity towards SAHA, a clinically approved histone deacetylase inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest a hitherto unidentified link between AKR1C3 levels and the epigenetic status in prostate cancer cells. This raises an interesting possibility of a novel rational to target AKR1C3, the utilization of AKRIC3 selective inhibitors in combination with HDAC inhibition as part of novel epigenetic therapies in androgen deprivation therapy recurrent prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig L Doig
- Centre for Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, School of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Sebastiano Battaglia
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Farhat L Khanim
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK
| | | | - Moray J Campbell
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
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10
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Liu Y, Ma D, Ji C. Zinc fingers and homeoboxes family in human diseases. Cancer Gene Ther 2015; 22:223-6. [PMID: 25857360 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2015.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 02/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The zinc-fingers and homeoboxes (ZHX) family is a group of nuclear homodimeric transcriptional repressors that interact with a subunit of nuclear factor-Y (NF-YA) and contain two C2H2-type zinc fingers and five homeobox DNA-binding domains. The members of ZHX family form homodimers or heterodimers with other members or a subunit of NF-YA to repress transcription. ZHX family members function in hematopoietic cell development and differentiation, and neural progenitor maintenance. Dysfunction of ZHX family members correlates with the development and progression of various diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hematological diseases, neurological diseases and glomerular diseases. Furthermore, low expression of ZHX is associated with poor prognosis in malignancies. This review provides an update on the role of ZHX family in development and its function in cancer, with special emphasis on HCC and hematological malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Liu
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - D Ma
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - C Ji
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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11
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Solution NMR structures of homeodomains from human proteins ALX4, ZHX1, and CASP8AP2 contribute to the structural coverage of the Human Cancer Protein Interaction Network. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS 2014; 15:201-7. [PMID: 24941917 DOI: 10.1007/s10969-014-9184-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
High-quality solution NMR structures of three homeodomains from human proteins ALX4, ZHX1 and CASP8AP2 were solved. These domains were chosen as targets of a biomedical theme project pursued by the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium. This project focuses on increasing the structural coverage of human proteins associated with cancer.
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Chen S, Yu X, Lei Q, Ma L, Guo D. The SUMOylation of zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 (ZHX1) by Ubc9 regulates its stability and transcriptional repression activity. J Cell Biochem 2014; 114:2323-33. [PMID: 23686912 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Zinc-fingers and homeoboxes protein 1 (ZHX1) belongs to the ZF (zinc-fingers) class of homeodomain transcription factors, and its function remains largely unknown. ZHX1 has been previously found to interact with the activation domain of the nuclear factor Y subunit A (NFYA) and to have a transcriptional repression activity. Here, we report that the SUMO-E2 conjugating enzyme Ubc9 was identified to interact with ZHX1 by an interaction screen using a yeast two-hybrid system. This interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and co-localization assays. Further study showed that ZHX1 is SUMOylated by Ubc9 with SUMO1 at the sites K159, K454, and K626. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the SUMOylation of ZHX1 regulated the stability, ubiquitination and transcriptional activity of ZHX1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuliang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and the Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
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13
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Wang J, Liu D, Liang X, Gao L, Yue X, Yang Y, Ma C, Liu J. Construction of a recombinant eukaryotic human ZHX1 gene expression plasmid and the role of ZHX1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Med Rep 2013; 8:1531-6. [PMID: 24064680 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2013.1700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The zinc-fingers and homeoboxes protein 1 (ZHX1) consists of 873 amino acid residues, is localized in the cell nucleus and appears to act as a transcriptional repressor. Previous studies have shown that ZHX1 interacts with nuclear factor Y subunit α (NF-YA), DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) 3B and ZHX2, all of which are involved in tumorigenesis. However, the exact role of ZHX1 in tumorigenesis remains unknown. The aim of the current study was to construct a recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid containing the human ZHX1 (hZHX1) gene and to investigate the biological activities of ZHX1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR) was used to amplify the N- and C-terminal fragments (ZHX1‑N and ZHX1‑C, respectively) of the hZHX1 gene. The two PCR fragments were cloned into the pEASY-T1 vector and subcloned into the pcDNA3 plasmid to generate a recombinant pcDNA3‑ZHX1 plasmid. Following identification by enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing, the recombinant pcDNA3‑ZHX1 plasmid was transfected into SMMC-7721 cells. The level of ZHX1 expression was detected by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Cell growth curve assays were used to evaluate the effect of ZHX1 on cell proliferation. Moreover, the differential expression of ZHX1 between cancer and adjacent cirrhotic liver tissue was investigated by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing confirmed the successful construction of the recombinant plasmid, pcDNA3‑ZHX1. qPCR and western blot analysis demonstrated that ZHX1 was efficiently expressed in SMMC-7721 cells and overexpression of ZHX1 may inhibit the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells. In addition, reduced ZHX1 expression is widespread among cancer tissues from HCC patients. In conclusion, a recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid, pcDNA3‑ZHX1, was successfully constructed. In addition, the current results indicate that a low expression of ZHX1 may be responsible for hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
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Kawachi Y, Ishitsuka Y, Maruyama H, Fujisawa Y, Furuta J, Nakamura Y, Ishii Y, Ichikawa E, Otsuka F. The POU domain transcription factors Oct-6 and Oct-11 negatively regulate loricrin gene expression in keratinocytes: association with AP-1 and Sp1/Sp3. Arch Dermatol Res 2013; 305:371-8. [PMID: 23341029 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-013-1317-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Loricrin is a major component of the epidermal cornified cell envelope, and is expressed only in terminally differentiated keratinocytes. This cell differentiation-specific expression pattern suggests specific regulatory mechanisms for activation and suppression of loricrin gene transcription in differentiated keratinocytes. Here, we identified a regulatory element in the proximal promoter region of the loricrin gene involved in suppression of its expression in keratinocytes. A database search indicated that this sequence contained a POU transcription factor binding motif. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that Oct-1, Oct-6, and Oct-11 actually bind to the motif. Constructs with point mutations in the POU-binding motif showed increased reporter activity, indicating that the POU factors negatively regulate loricrin gene transcription. Cotransfection experiments suggested that Oct-6 and Oct-11 suppress loricrin gene transcription in a cooperative manner with AP-1 and Sp1. Furthermore, in vitro experiments indicated that the Oct-6 and Oct-11 can physically associate with both AP-1 factors and Sp1/Sp3. These findings indicate that Oct-6 and Oct-11 contribute to the regulation of loricrin gene transcription via interaction with AP-1 factors and Sp1/Sp3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Kawachi
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
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15
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Kawachi Y, Ishitsuka Y, Maruyama H, Fujisawa Y, Furuta J, Nakamura Y, Otsuka F. GATA-3 regulates differentiation-specific loricrin gene expression in keratinocytes. Exp Dermatol 2012; 21:859-64. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.12023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Kawachi
- Department of Dermatology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Tsukuba; Tsukuba; Ibaraki; Japan
| | - Yosuke Ishitsuka
- Department of Dermatology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Tsukuba; Tsukuba; Ibaraki; Japan
| | - Hiroshi Maruyama
- Department of Dermatology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Tsukuba; Tsukuba; Ibaraki; Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Fujisawa
- Department of Dermatology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Tsukuba; Tsukuba; Ibaraki; Japan
| | - Junichi Furuta
- Department of Dermatology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Tsukuba; Tsukuba; Ibaraki; Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Tsukuba; Tsukuba; Ibaraki; Japan
| | - Fujio Otsuka
- Department of Dermatology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Tsukuba; Tsukuba; Ibaraki; Japan
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16
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Dolfini D, Gatta R, Mantovani R. NF-Y and the transcriptional activation of CCAAT promoters. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2011; 47:29-49. [PMID: 22050321 DOI: 10.3109/10409238.2011.628970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The CCAAT box promoter element and NF-Y, the transcription factor (TF) that binds to it, were among the first cis-elements and trans-acting factors identified; their interplay is required for transcriptional activation of a sizeable number of eukaryotic genes. NF-Y consists of three evolutionarily conserved subunits: a dimer of NF-YB and NF-YC which closely resembles a histone, and the "innovative" NF-YA. In this review, we will provide an update on the functional and biological features that make NF-Y a fundamental link between chromatin and transcription. The last 25 years have witnessed a spectacular increase in our knowledge of how genes are regulated: from the identification of cis-acting sequences in promoters and enhancers, and the biochemical characterization of the corresponding TFs, to the merging of chromatin studies with the investigation of enzymatic machines that regulate epigenetic states. Originally identified and studied in yeast and mammals, NF-Y - also termed CBF and CP1 - is composed of three subunits, NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC. The complex recognizes the CCAAT pentanucleotide and specific flanking nucleotides with high specificity (Dorn et al., 1997; Hatamochi et al., 1988; Hooft van Huijsduijnen et al, 1987; Kim & Sheffery, 1990). A compelling set of bioinformatics studies clarified that the NF-Y preferred binding site is one of the most frequent promoter elements (Suzuki et al., 2001, 2004; Elkon et al., 2003; Mariño-Ramírez et al., 2004; FitzGerald et al., 2004; Linhart et al., 2005; Zhu et al., 2005; Lee et al., 2007; Abnizova et al., 2007; Grskovic et al., 2007; Halperin et al., 2009; Häkkinen et al., 2011). The same consensus, as determined by mutagenesis and SELEX studies (Bi et al., 1997), was also retrieved in ChIP-on-chip analysis (Testa et al., 2005; Ceribelli et al., 2006; Ceribelli et al., 2008; Reed et al., 2008). Additional structural features of the CCAAT box - position, orientation, presence of multiple Transcriptional Start Sites - were previously reviewed (Dolfini et al., 2009) and will not be considered in detail here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Dolfini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Suehiro F, Nishimura M, Kawamoto T, Kanawa M, Yoshizawa Y, Murata H, Kato Y. Impact of zinc fingers and homeoboxes 3 on the regulation of mesenchymal stem cell osteogenic differentiation. Stem Cells Dev 2011; 20:1539-47. [PMID: 21174497 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2010.0279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose zinc fingers and homeoboxes 3 (ZHX3) as new osteogenic markers for mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). ZHX3 mRNA expression was upregulated within 1-6 h after incubation of MSCs in the osteogenic induction medium, and reached maximum levels after 24 h of incubation. Two to 4 days later, ZHX3 mRNA levels had decreased sharply. Maximal mRNA levels were 3- to 5-fold higher than those in the undifferentiated state. In contrast, Runt-related transcription factor2 (RUNX2) mRNA expression was downregulated at 2-4 h after incubation, and levels were only enhanced 1.4-fold after 12 and 24 h of incubation. Further, Osterix mRNA levels increased only 1.6-fold after 4 and 24 h of incubation. Thus, ZHX3 expression may be a better marker of MSC osteogenic differentiation than RUNX2 or Osterix expression at the initial stage of differentiation. Knockdown of ZHX3 using 2 distinct small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotides had little effect on cell morphology or on MSC proliferation, regardless of the differentiation state of the cells. However, ZHX3 siRNAs suppressed Osterix, but not RUNX2 mRNA expression, within 1 h of osteogenic differentiation, and this suppression was sustained for at least 24 h. The 2 ZHX3 siRNAs also suppressed alkaline phosphatase induction and matrix mineralization (assessed using alizarin red staining), and, further, suppressed the calcium content of the cultures at a later stage of differentiation (days 6-21). The effects of ZHX3 siRNAs on the osteogenic differentiation were comparable to those of RUNX2 and Osterix siRNAs. These findings suggest that ZHX3 is involved in the switch from the undifferentiated state of MSC to an osteogenic program, and that ZHX3 may be useful as an early osteogenic differentiation marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumio Suehiro
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
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18
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Peterson ML, Ma C, Spear BT. Zhx2 and Zbtb20: novel regulators of postnatal alpha-fetoprotein repression and their potential role in gene reactivation during liver cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2011; 21:21-7. [PMID: 21216289 PMCID: PMC3313486 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2011.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2010] [Revised: 12/22/2010] [Accepted: 01/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The mouse alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene is abundantly expressed in the fetal liver, normally silent in the adult liver but is frequently reactivated in hepatocellular carcinoma. The basis for AFP expression in the fetal liver has been studied extensively. However, the basis for AFP reactivation during hepatocarcinogenesis is not well understood. Two novel factors that control postnatal AFP repression, Zhx2 and Zbtb20, were recently identified. Here, we review the transcription factors that regulate AFP in the fetal liver, as well as Zhx2 and Zbtb20, and raise the possibility that the loss of these postnatal repressors may be involved in AFP reactivation in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha L Peterson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics and Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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Bird LE, Ren J, Nettleship JE, Folkers GE, Owens RJ, Stammers DK. Novel structural features in two ZHX homeodomains derived from a systematic study of single and multiple domains. BMC STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2010; 10:13. [PMID: 20509910 PMCID: PMC2893186 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6807-10-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2010] [Accepted: 05/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zhx1 to 3 (zinc-fingers and homeoboxes) form a set of paralogous genes encoding multi-domain proteins. ZHX proteins consist of two zinc fingers followed by five homeodomains. ZHXs have biological roles in cell cycle control by acting as co-repressors of the transcriptional regulator Nuclear Factor Y. As part of a structural genomics project we have expressed single and multi-domain fragments of the different human ZHX genes for use in structure determination. RESULTS A total of 30 single and multiple domain ZHX1-3 constructs selected from bioinformatics protocols were screened for soluble expression in E. coli using high throughput methodologies. Two homeodomains were crystallized leading to structures for ZHX1 HD4 and ZHX2 HD2. ZHX1 HD4, although closest matched to homeodomains from 'homez' and 'engrailed', showed structural differences, notably an additional C-terminal helix (helix V) which wrapped over helix I thereby making extensive contacts. Although ZHX2 HD2-3 was successfully expressed and purified, proteolysis occurred during crystallization yielding crystals of just HD2. The structure of ZHX2 HD2 showed an unusual open conformation with helix I undergoing 'domain-swapping' to form a homodimer. CONCLUSIONS Although multiple-domain constructs of ZHX1 selected by bioinformatics studies could be expressed solubly, only single homeodomains yielded crystals. The crystal structure of ZHX1 HD4 showed additional hydrophobic interactions relative to many known homeodomains via extensive contacts formed by the novel C-terminal helix V with, in particular, helix I. Additionally, the replacement of some charged covariant residues (which are commonly observed to form salt bridges in non-homeotherms such as the Drosophila 'engrailed' homeodomain), by apolar residues further increases hydrophobic contacts within ZHX1 HD4, and potentially stability, relative to engrailed homeodomain. ZHX1 HD4 helix V points away from the normally observed DNA major groove binding site on homeodomains and thus would not obstruct the putative binding of nucleic acid. In contrast, for ZHX2 HD2 the observed altered conformation involving rearrangement of helix I, relative to the canonical homeodomain fold, disrupts the normal DNA binding site, although protein-protein binding is possible as observed in homodimer formation.
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Shen H, Luan F, Liu H, Gao L, Liang X, Zhang L, Sun W, Ma C. ZHX2 is a repressor of alpha-fetoprotein expression in human hepatoma cell lines. J Cell Mol Med 2008; 12:2772-80. [PMID: 18194454 PMCID: PMC3828890 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00233.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 2 (ZHX2) protein was shown previously to be involved in postnatal repression of α-fetoprotein (AFP) in mice. More recently, loss of ZHX2 expression was often found in human hepatcellular carcinoma (HCC), where AFP is frequently reactivated. Using HepG2 and HepG2.2.15, which express high AFP levels, we show that ZHX2 overexpression significantly decreases of AFP secretion in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, using LO2 and SMMC7721 cells, which express low AFP levels, we use siRNA inhibition to show that AFP is de-repressed when ZHX2 levels are reduced. This represents the first direct evidence that ZHX2 represses AFP. Co-transfections of ZHX2 and AFP-luciferase reporter genes demonstrate ZHX2 repression is governed by the AFP promoter and requires intact HNF1 binding sites. These data support the idea that ZHX2 contributes to AFP repression in the liver after birth and may also be involved in AFP reactivation in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Shen
- Institute of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, PR China
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21
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Kockel L, Strom A, Delacour A, Népote V, Hagenbüchle O, Wellauer PK, Herrera PL. An amylase/Cre transgene marks the whole endoderm but the primordia of liver and ventral pancreas. Genesis 2006; 44:287-96. [PMID: 16786601 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.20206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Mice bearing a Cre-encoding transgene driven by a compound [SV40 small t antigen/mousealpha-amylase-2] promoter expressed the recombinase at early developmental stages broadly in the embryonic endoderm before the pancreas and lungs begin to outgrow, but not in other germ layers, as determined indirectly by beta-galactosidase and YFP reporter activity, indicating that the transgene is in fact an endodermic marker. Interestingly, the liver and ventral pancreas were excluded from this expression pattern, denoting that the chimerical alpha-amylase-2 promoter was not active in the anterior leading edge of the endoderm (the presumptive region from which liver and ventral pancreas form). These transgenics thus confirm, among other findings, that dorsal and ventral pancreatic primordia have different intrinsic transcriptional capabilities. In conclusion, we have generated a new transgenic mouse that should be useful to target endoderm at early stages, without affecting the liver or ventral pancreas before embryonic day E12.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Kockel
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland
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Hackl H, Burkard TR, Sturn A, Rubio R, Schleiffer A, Tian S, Quackenbush J, Eisenhaber F, Trajanoski Z. Molecular processes during fat cell development revealed by gene expression profiling and functional annotation. Genome Biol 2005; 6:R108. [PMID: 16420668 PMCID: PMC1414107 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2005-6-13-r108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2005] [Revised: 08/23/2005] [Accepted: 11/08/2005] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In-depth bioinformatics analyses of expressed sequence tags found to be differentially expressed during differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cells were combined with de novo functional annotation and mapping onto known pathways to generate a molecular atlas of fat-cell development. Background Large-scale transcription profiling of cell models and model organisms can identify novel molecular components involved in fat cell development. Detailed characterization of the sequences of identified gene products has not been done and global mechanisms have not been investigated. We evaluated the extent to which molecular processes can be revealed by expression profiling and functional annotation of genes that are differentially expressed during fat cell development. Results Mouse microarrays with more than 27,000 elements were developed, and transcriptional profiles of 3T3-L1 cells (pre-adipocyte cells) were monitored during differentiation. In total, 780 differentially expressed expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were subjected to in-depth bioinformatics analyses. The analysis of 3'-untranslated region sequences from 395 ESTs showed that 71% of the differentially expressed genes could be regulated by microRNAs. A molecular atlas of fat cell development was then constructed by de novo functional annotation on a sequence segment/domain-wise basis of 659 protein sequences, and subsequent mapping onto known pathways, possible cellular roles, and subcellular localizations. Key enzymes in 27 out of 36 investigated metabolic pathways were regulated at the transcriptional level, typically at the rate-limiting steps in these pathways. Also, coexpressed genes rarely shared consensus transcription-factor binding sites, and were typically not clustered in adjacent chromosomal regions, but were instead widely dispersed throughout the genome. Conclusions Large-scale transcription profiling in conjunction with sophisticated bioinformatics analyses can provide not only a list of novel players in a particular setting but also a global view on biological processes and molecular networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hubert Hackl
- Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Rainer Burkard
- Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Dr Bohr-Gasse 7, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Sturn
- Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Renee Rubio
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Alexander Schleiffer
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Dr Bohr-Gasse 7, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sun Tian
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Dr Bohr-Gasse 7, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - John Quackenbush
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Frank Eisenhaber
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Dr Bohr-Gasse 7, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zlatko Trajanoski
- Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Tanaka H, Yamamoto T, Ban T, Satoh SI, Tanaka T, Shimoda M, Miyazaki JI, Noguchi T. Hex stimulates the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1alpha-mediated activation of transcription. Arch Biochem Biophys 2005; 442:117-24. [PMID: 16146628 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2005.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2005] [Revised: 07/29/2005] [Accepted: 08/02/2005] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The homeodomain protein Hex can function either as a transcriptional repressor or activator in animals. Recent reports have indicated that Hex is involved in liver development. However, its target genes and interacting proteins are largely unknown. We found that Hex functionally interacted with hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF) 1alpha to further stimulate its activity using reporter gene containing multiple copies of HNF1alpha-binding site of the L-type pyruvate kinase (L-PK) gene promoter or natural L-PK promoter. This stimulation required the homeodomain and the acidic carboxyl-terminal region of Hex. Over-expression of Hex in primary cultured hepatocytes resulted in stimulation of the L-PK gene expression. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay and co-immunoprecipitation revealed that Hex physically interacted with HNF1alpha in mammalian cells through the homeodomain of Hex and POU-homeodomain of HNF1alpha. Since HNF1alpha is an important liver-enriched transcription factor involved in liver differentiation, Hex may contribute to liver differentiation through interaction with HNF1alpha.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Tanaka
- Department of Applied Molecular Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
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Perincheri S, Dingle RWC, Peterson ML, Spear BT. Hereditary persistence of alpha-fetoprotein and H19 expression in liver of BALB/cJ mice is due to a retrovirus insertion in the Zhx2 gene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:396-401. [PMID: 15626755 PMCID: PMC544306 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0408555102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and H19 genes are transcribed at high levels in the mammalian fetal liver but are rapidly repressed postnatally. This repression in the liver is controlled, at least in part, by the Afr1 gene. Afr1 was defined >25 years ago when BALB/cJ mice were found to have 5- to 20-fold higher adult serum AFP levels compared with all other mouse strains; subsequent studies showed that this elevation was due to higher Afp expression in the liver. H19, which has become a model for genomic imprinting, was identified initially in a screen for Afr1-regulated genes. The BALB/cJ allele (Afr1(b)) is recessive to the wild-type allele (Afr1(a)), consistent with the idea that Afr1 functions as a repressor. By high-resolution mapping, we identified a gene that maps to the Afr1 interval on chromosome 15 and encodes a putative zinc fingers and homeoboxes (ZHX) protein. In BALB/cJ mice, this gene contains a murine endogenous retrovirus within its first intron and produces predominantly an aberrant transcript that no longer encodes a functional protein. Liver-specific overexpression of a Zhx2 transgene restores wild-type H19 repression on a BALB/cJ background, confirming that this gene is responsible for hereditary persistence of Afp and H19 in the livers of BALB/cJ mice. Thus we have identified a genetically defined transcription factor that is involved in developmental gene silencing in mammals. We present a model to explain the liver-specific phenotype in BALB/cJ mice, even though Afr1 is a ubiquitously expressed gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir Perincheri
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics and Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536
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25
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Kajitani T, Mizutani T, Yamada K, Yazawa T, Sekiguchi T, Yoshino M, Kawata H, Miyamoto K. Cloning and characterization of granulosa cell high-mobility group (HMG)-box protein-1, a novel HMG-box transcriptional regulator strongly expressed in rat ovarian granulosa cells. Endocrinology 2004; 145:2307-18. [PMID: 14764631 DOI: 10.1210/en.2003-1343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Specific events in the ovary are dependent on gene expression in the tissue. By screening a rat ovarian granulosa cell cDNA library, a cDNA clone encoding a novel transcription factor-like protein containing a high-mobility group-box, referred to as granulosa cell high-mobility group-box protein-1 (GCX-1), was identified. The expression of GCX-1 is restricted to the hypothalamus, pituitary, testis, uterus, and ovary but was not detected in the adrenal gland. An in situ hybridization study revealed that the expression of GCX-1 was restricted to granulosa cell layers in early-stage follicles, and the expression was very low in large antral follicles and the corpus luteum, but localized expression in the testis or pituitary was not clear. Endogenous GCX-1 protein in the granulosa cells was identified by a Western blot analysis, and an analysis using the green fluorescence protein-GCX-1 fusion protein revealed that the GCX-1 protein was localized in the cell nucleus. GAL4 fusion protein-based assays demonstrated that GCX-1 is a potent transcriptional activator, and its putative transactivation domain was mapped to the region between amino acid residues 25 and 63 from the N terminus. These data strongly suggest that GCX-1 is likely a novel transcriptional activator that is exclusively expressed in reproductive tissues involving the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis, and functions as a specific regulator of follicular development, and may also participate in other specific events related to reproduction, particularly in the female.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kajitani
- Department of Biochemistry, Fukui Medical University, Matsuoka, Fukui, 910-1193, Japan
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Shou Z, Yamada K, Kawata H, Yokoyama O, Miyamoto K. A mechanism of induction of the mouse zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 (ZHX1) gene expression by interleukin-2. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2004; 314:885-90. [PMID: 14741719 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2003.12.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The effect of IL-2 on the expression of the mouse zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 (ZHX1) gene was investigated in a mouse cytotoxic T cell line, CTLL-2 cells. IL-2 specifically induced the expression of ZHX1 mRNA. The level of ZHX1 mRNA was decreased in the absence of IL-2. These alterations were in parallel with the status of cell proliferation. The signaling pathways involved in the induction were examined. AG-490, wortmannin, and LY294002 blocked the induction by IL-2. Nuclear run-on assays and a mRNA stability analysis revealed that the half-life of ZHX1 mRNA but not the transcription rate of the gene was increased by IL-2. Thus, we conclude that IL-2 induces the expression of the mouse ZHX1 gene in CTLL-2 cells, that both Janus kinase 3/signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathways are involved in the induction, and that the increased mRNA stability results in the induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangfei Shou
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Matsuoka-cho, 910-1193, Fukui, Japan
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Kawata H, Yamada K, Shou Z, Mizutani T, Miyamoto K. The mouse zinc-fingers and homeoboxes (ZHX) family; ZHX2 forms a heterodimer with ZHX3. Gene 2004; 323:133-40. [PMID: 14659886 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2003.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Human zinc-fingers and homeoboxes (ZHX) 1, ZHX2 and ZHX3, members of the ZHX family, contain two Cys(2)-His(2)-type zinc-finger motifs and five homeodomains (HDs). These proteins not only form homodimers but heterodimers with ZHX1 as well and act as ubiquitous transcriptional repressors. The cloning of mouse ZHX2 and ZHX3 cDNAs and the corresponding genes from a 129 mouse genomic library are reported, along with an analysis of the heterodimerization of ZHX2 with ZHX3. The mouse ZHX2 and ZHX3 proteins consist of 836 and 951 amino acid residues, respectively. The similarity of amino acid sequences of each protein with those of human orthologue is 87.0% and 85.2%, respectively. An analysis of genomic clones revealed that an entire coding sequence and a portion of the 5'- and 3'-noncoding sequence of mouse ZHX2 cDNA are encoded by a single exon of the mouse ZHX2 gene as well as the mouse ZHX1 gene. In contrast, in the case of the mouse ZHX3 gene, the coding sequences of ZHX3 cDNA are separated by an intron. A 4.5-kb ZHX2 transcript, and three ZHX3 transcripts, 9.5-, 6.5- and 4.4-kb, are ubiquitously expressed, although their levels vary. Lastly, in vitro and in vivo protein-protein interaction assays revealed that ZHX2 is able to form a heterodimer with ZHX3 via a region containing each HD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Kawata
- CREST, JST (Japan Science and Technology), 910-1193, Fukui, Japan
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28
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Yamada K, Kawata H, Mizutani T, Arima T, Yazawa T, Matsuura K, Shou Z, Sekiguchi T, Yoshino M, Kajitani T, Miyamoto K. Gene expression of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, SHARP-2, is regulated by gonadotropins in the rat ovary and MA-10 cells. Biol Reprod 2004; 70:76-82. [PMID: 12954728 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.103.020107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins regulate transcription from the E box sequence (5'-CANNTG-3') located in the regulatory region of most gene promoters. The rat enhancer of split- and hairy-related protein 2 (SHARP-2) is a member of the bHLH protein family. To analyze the possible role of SHARP-2 in the rat ovary, the regulation of the expression of the SHARP-2 gene was examined, and the SHARP-2 protein was characterized. Northern blot analysis revealed that the level of SHARP-2 mRNA abruptly and temporarily increases as the result of the action of LH, i.e., eCG or hCG treatment alone or hCG after eCG treatment, in the rat ovary, as indicated by the treatment of primary cultured rat granulosa cells with hCG after FSH treatment or of mouse Leydig MA-10 cells with hCG or 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. An in situ hybridization analysis showed that eCG treatment increases the level of the SHARP-2 transcript in theca interna cells and that hCG treatment, after the administration of eCG, increases the level of the SHARP-2 transcript in granulosa cells. Furthermore, transfection experiments with green fluorescence protein (GFP) expression vectors into primary cultured granulosa cells and MA-10 cells revealed that the entire coding sequence of SHARP-2 fused to the GFP is localized in the nucleus. The transcriptional activity of SHARP-2 also was examined using transient DNA transfection experiments. When an expression vector encoding the full length of SHARP-2 was cotransfected with thymidine kinase promoter-luciferase reporter plasmids, with or without E box sequences, into MA-10 cells, the luciferase activity was decreased in an E box-dependent manner. We conclude that the level of SHARP-2 mRNA is regulated by gonadotropins and that SHARP-2 functions as a transcriptional repressor localized in the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Yamada
- Department of Biochemistry, Fukui Medical University, Shimoaizuki, Matsuoka, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.
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Bayarsaihan D, Enkhmandakh B, Makeyev A, Greally JM, Leckman JF, Ruddle FH. Homez, a homeobox leucine zipper gene specific to the vertebrate lineage. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003; 100:10358-63. [PMID: 12925734 PMCID: PMC193566 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1834010100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This work describes a vertebrate homeobox gene, designated Homez (homeodomain leucine zipper-encoding gene), that encodes a protein with an unusual structural organization. There are several regions within Homez, including three atypical homeodomains, two leucine zipper-like motifs, and an acidic domain. The gene is ubiquitously expressed in human and murine tissues, although the expression pattern is more restricted during mouse development. Genomic analysis revealed that human and mouse genes are located at 14q11.2 and 14C, respectively, and are composed of two exons. The zebrafish and pufferfish homologs share high similarity to mammalian sequences, particularly within the homeodomain sequences. Based on homology of homeodomains and on the similarity in overall protein structure, we delineate Homez and members of ZHX family of zinc finger homeodomain factors as a subset within the superfamily of homeobox-containing proteins. The type and composition of homeodomains in the Homez subfamily are vertebrate-specific. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Homez lineage was separated from related genes >400 million years ago before separation of ray- and lobe-finned fishes. We apply a duplication-degeneration-complementation model to explain how this family of genes has evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dashzeveg Bayarsaihan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, 266 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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Kawata H, Yamada K, Shou Z, Mizutani T, Yazawa T, Yoshino M, Sekiguchi T, Kajitani T, Miyamoto K. Zinc-fingers and homeoboxes (ZHX) 2, a novel member of the ZHX family, functions as a transcriptional repressor. Biochem J 2003; 373:747-57. [PMID: 12741956 PMCID: PMC1223552 DOI: 10.1042/bj20030171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2003] [Revised: 04/17/2003] [Accepted: 05/13/2003] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Zinc-fingers and homeoboxes (ZHX) 1 is a transcription factor that interacts with the activation domain of the A subunit of nuclear factor-Y (NF-YA). Using a yeast two-hybrid system, a novel ubiquitous transcription factor ZHX2 as a ZHX1-interacting protein was cloned. ZHX2 consists of 837 amino acid residues and contains two zinc-finger motifs and five homeodomains (HDs) as well as ZHX1. The mRNA is expressed among various tissues. ZHX2 not only forms a heterodimer with ZHX1, but also forms a homodimer. Moreover, ZHX2 interacts with the activation domain of NF-YA. Further analysis revealed that ZHX2 is a transcriptional repressor that is localized in the nuclei. Since ZHX2 shares a number of properties in common with ZHX1, we conclude that all these come under the ZHX family. The minimal functional domains of ZHX2 were then characterized. The dimerization domain with both ZHX1 and ZHX2 is the region containing HD1, the domain that interacts with NF-YA is the HD1 to HD2 region, the repressor domain is the HD1 to a proline-rich region. Lastly, using an immunoprecipitation assay, we showed that ZHX2 intrinsically interacts with NF-YA in HEK-293 cells and that ZHX2 represses the promoter activity of the cdc25C gene stimulated by NF-Y in Drosophila Schneider line 2 cells. Thus the ZHX family of proteins may participate in the expression of a number of NF-Y-regulated genes via a more organized transcription network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Kawata
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology (JST), Fukui 910-1193, Japan
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31
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Yamada K, Kawata H, Shou Z, Hirano S, Mizutani T, Yazawa T, Sekiguchi T, Yoshino M, Kajitani T, Miyamoto K. Analysis of zinc-fingers and homeoboxes (ZHX)-1-interacting proteins: molecular cloning and characterization of a member of the ZHX family, ZHX3. Biochem J 2003; 373:167-78. [PMID: 12659632 PMCID: PMC1223464 DOI: 10.1042/bj20021866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2002] [Revised: 02/28/2003] [Accepted: 03/27/2003] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human zinc-fingers and homeoboxes (ZHX) 1, a transcriptional repressor, was originally cloned as an interacting protein with the activation domain of the A subunit of nuclear factor-Y (NF-YA). As the first step in investigating the mechanism by which ZHX1 acts as a transcriptional repressor, we conducted a search of ZHX1-interacting proteins using a yeast two-hybrid system. Nuclear proteins such as ZHX1, transcriptional co-factors and DNA-binding proteins, zyxin, androgen-induced aldose reductase and eleven-nineteen lysine-rich leukaemia gene, as well as some unknown proteins, were cloned. Molecular cloning and determination of the nucleotide sequence of the full-length cDNA encoding a novel protein revealed that it consists of 956 amino acid residues and contains two zinc-finger (Znf) motifs and five homeodomains (HDs) as well as ZHX1. We concluded that the protein forms the ZHX family with ZHX1 and denoted it ZHX3. ZHX3 not only dimerizes with both ZHX1 and ZHX3, but also interacts with the activation domain of the NF-YA. Further analysis revealed that ZHX3 is a ubiquitous transcriptional repressor that is localized in nuclei and functions as a dimer. Lastly, the dimerization domain, the interaction domain with NF-YA, and the repressor domain are mapped to a region including the HD1 region, and two nuclear localization signals are mapped to the N-terminal through Znf1 and the HD2 region, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Yamada
- Department of Biochemistry, Fukui Medical University, and Japan and CREST, Japan Science and Technology, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.
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32
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Shou Z, Yamada K, Inazu T, Kawata H, Hirano S, Mizutani T, Yazawa T, Sekiguchi T, Yoshino M, Kajitani T, Okada KI, Miyamoto K. Genomic structure and analysis of transcriptional regulation of the mouse zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 (ZHX1) gene. Gene 2003; 302:83-94. [PMID: 12527199 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1119(02)01093-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The mouse zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 (ZHX1) gene was cloned and its transcriptional regulatory mechanism analysed. The mouse ZHX1 gene spans approximately 29 kb and consists of five exons. Exons 1-3 contain the nucleotide sequence of the 5'-noncoding region of mouse ZHX1 cDNA, exon 4 contains a part of the 5'-noncoding region, an entire coding sequence, and a part of the 3'-noncoding sequence, and exon 5 contains the resulting 3'-noncoding sequence. The ZHX1 gene exists as one copy in the haploid mouse genome. Two species of ZHX1 mRNA with or without the nucleotide sequence of the third exon are produced by an alternative splicing. To investigate the regulatory elements involved in the transcription of the ZHX1 gene, transient DNA transfection experiments with ZHX1/firefly luciferase reporter genes were performed using a lipofection method. Functional analyses of a series of 5'- and 3'-deletion constructs of the reporter genes revealed that the nucleotide sequence between -59 and +50 is required for full promoter activity in mouse embryonal carcinoma F9 cells. Two positive regulatory cis-acting elements in the region were identified. These elements, designated as Box A and Box B, are located between nucleotides -47 and -42 and +22 and +27, respectively, and synergistically stimulate transcription of the mouse ZHX1 gene. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with specific competitors and antibodies show that PEA3 and Yin and Yang 1 (YY1) bind to Box A and Box B, respectively. Thus, we conclude that PEA3 and YY1 synergistically stimulate the transcription of the ZHX1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangfei Shou
- Department of Biochemistry, Fukui Medical University, 910-1193, Fukui, Japan
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Yamada K, Kawata H, Matsuura K, Shou Z, Hirano S, Mizutani T, Yazawa T, Yoshino M, Sekiguchi T, Kajitani T, Miyamoto K. Functional analysis and the molecular dissection of zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 (ZHX1). Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2002; 297:368-74. [PMID: 12237128 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-291x(02)02203-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 (ZHX1) is a protein that interacts with the activation domain of the A subunit of nuclear factor-Y. The function of ZHX1, as a transcription factor, was characterized and their domains were mapped. To determine the nuclear localization signal, expression vectors, in which various truncated forms of ZHX1 were fused to the C-terminal of green fluorescence protein (GFP), were transfected into human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. All GFP-ZHX1 fusion proteins including an arginine-rich region that corresponds to the amino acid sequence between 734 and 768 were localized in the nuclei. A dimerization domain of the ZHX1 was also mapped using protein-protein interaction assays. The homeodomain (HD) 1 consisting of the amino acid sequence between 272 and 432 of ZHX1 was necessary and sufficient for dimerization. Lastly, the transcriptional activity of ZHX1 was examined using a mammalian one-hybrid system. ZHX1, fused to the C-terminal of the GAL4 DNA-binding domain, was co-transfected with luciferase reporter plasmids with or without five copies of the GAL4-binding site into HEK293 cells. The luciferase activity was decreased in both concentration- and GAL4-binding site-dependent manner. The acidic region corresponding to the amino acid sequence between 831 and 873 was a repressor domain and dimerization was prerequisited for full repressor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Yamada
- Department of Biochemistry, Fukui Medical University, Japan.
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34
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Hirano S, Yamada K, Kawata H, Shou Z, Mizutani T, Yazawa T, Kajitani T, Sekiguchi T, Yoshino M, Shigematsu Y, Mayumi M, Miyamoto K. Rat zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 (ZHX1), a nuclear factor-YA-interacting nuclear protein, forms a homodimer. Gene 2002; 290:107-14. [PMID: 12062805 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1119(02)00553-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Zinc-fingers and homeoboxes 1 (ZHX1) is a protein which interacts with the activation domain of the A subunit of nuclear factor-Y. To analyze the physiological role(s) of ZHX1, we searched ZHX1-interacting protein(s) using a yeast two-hybrid system. The rat counterpart of ZHX1 cDNAs was cloned from an ovarian granulosa cell complementary DNA (cDNA) library, indicating that ZHX1 is able to form a homodimer. An analysis of the nucleotide sequence and its deduced amino acid sequence show that rat ZHX1 consists of 873 amino acid residues. Northern blot analysis shows that ZHX1 messenger RNA is expressed ubiquitously and that the level in the ovary are not regulated by gonadotropins. Furthermore, transfection experiments with green fluorescence protein (GFP) expression vectors into human embryonic kidney HEK293 cells reveal that full-length ZHX1 fused to the GFP is localized in the nuclei. Thus, we report on the molecular cloning, expression and characterization of full-length rat ZHX1 cDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Hirano
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukui Medical University, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
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Mizutani T, Yamada K, Yazawa T, Okada T, Minegishi T, Miyamoto K. Cloning and characterization of gonadotropin-inducible ovarian transcription factors (GIOT1 and -2) that are novel members of the (Cys)(2)-(His)(2)-type zinc finger protein family. Mol Endocrinol 2001; 15:1693-705. [PMID: 11579202 DOI: 10.1210/mend.15.10.0718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropins are essential for ovarian follicular development and differentiation. To identify genes that are rapidly induced by gonadotropin in the immature rat ovary, ovarian genes were screened by a subtraction cloning procedure. cDNA clones encoding novel members of the (Cys)(2)-(His)(2)-type zinc finger protein family GIOT1 and -2 (gonadotropin-inducible transcription factor 1 and 2), were identified. Two isoforms of GIOT2 (GIOT2 alpha and 2 beta), which are probably produced by alternative splicing, also exist. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that GIOT1, but not GIOT2, contains the krüppel-associated box-A domain at the NH(2) terminus. RNA analyses revealed that these mRNAs were rapidly and temporarily induced by gonadotropins in the rat testis as well as in the ovary. In situ hybridization study revealed that expression of GIOT1 was induced in theca interna cells in the ovary and Leydig cells in the testis. Interestingly, the gene expression of GIOT1 is restricted to the pituitary, adrenal, testis, and ovary, while GIOT2 gene is expressed ubiquitously. A functional analysis of GIOT1 and -2 by a GAL4-based mammalian one-hybrid system revealed that GIOT1, but not GIOT2, is a transcriptional repressor and that the krüppel-associated box-A domain of GIOT1 is responsible for the transcriptional repressor activity. A GAL4-based yeast two-hybrid system was also used to identify proteins that interact with the rat GIOT1. We cloned genes encoding rat homologs of human I-mfa domain containing protein and transcriptional intermediary factor 1 beta, both of which are transcription-regulatory proteins. Interaction of these proteins with GIOT1 was directly demonstrated by GST pull-down assay. Our data strongly suggest that GIOT1 may function as a novel transcriptional repressor by working with rat homologs of human I-mfa domain containing protein and transcriptional intermediary factor 1 beta proteins and may play a significant role at the transcription level in the folliculogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Mizutani
- Department of Biochemistry, Fukui Medical University, Matsuoka, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
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Yamada K, Tanaka T, Miyamoto K, Noguchi T. Sp family members and nuclear factor-Y cooperatively stimulate transcription from the rat pyruvate kinase M gene distal promoter region via their direct interactions. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:18129-37. [PMID: 10748033 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m001543200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The three distal transcriptional regulatory elements of the rat pyruvate kinase M gene, referred to as boxes A, B, and C, are located around -270 base pairs upstream from the transcriptional initiation site. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with specific competitors and antibodies show that both box A and box B bind to Sp1 and Sp3 and that box C binds nuclear factor-Y (NF-Y). Luciferase reporter assays revealed that although box A and box B alone have no independent effect on luciferase activities, box C alone stimulates transcription. However, the inclusion of all three elements lead to maximal activity because of a synergistic effect, mainly between box B and box C, suggesting that functional synergism between Sp1/Sp3 and NF-Y is critical for the pyruvate kinase M (PKM) gene distal promoter activity. In fact, co-transfection of a dominant negative mutant of NF-YA (NF-YA29) resulted in a decrease in reporter activity in a box C-dependent manner. In addition, the overexpression of Sp1 or Sp3 and NF-Y in Drosophila SL2 cells synergistically stimulated PKM gene distal promoter activity. Using a mammalian two-hybrid system in HeLa cells, it was shown that both Sp1 and Sp3 interacted with NF-YA but not NF-YB and NF-YC. Moreover, glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays revealed that only in vitro translated (35)S-labeled NF-YA interacted with both Sp1 and Sp3 in vitro. A subunit interaction domain of NF-YA, which forms a heterotrimer with NF-YB and NF-YC, is not required for these interactions with Sp1 or Sp3. Thus, we conclude that Sp1, Sp3, and NF-Y stimulate the transcription of the PKM gene via their interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Yamada
- Department of Biochemistry, Fukui Medical University, Shimoaizuki, Matsuoka, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
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37
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Abstract
We used the yeast two-hybrid system to show that the serum response factor (SRF) and zinc-fingers and homeobox 1 (ZHXI) proteins interact with the A subunit of nuclear factor-Y (NF-YA). GST pulldown assays revealed that both proteins interact specifically with NF-YA in vitro. Amino acids located between 272 and 564, a region that contains two homeodomains, are required for the interaction of ZHX1 with NF-YA. Two different domains of NF-YA, a glutamine-rich region and a serine/threonine-rich region, are necessary for the interactions with ZHX1 and SRF, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Yamada
- Department of Biochemistry, Fukui Medical University, Japan.
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