NF-kappa B protein purification from bovine spleen: nucleotide stimulation and binding site specificity

Molecular Mechanisms and Genetics of Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder that can cause dementia in elderly over 60 years of age. One of the disease hallmarks is oxidative stress which interconnects with other processes such as amyloid-β deposition, tau hyperphosphorylation, and tangle formation. This review discusses current thoughts on molecular mechanisms that may relate oxidative stress to Alzheimer’s disease and identifies genetic factors observed from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies that may be associated with Alzheimer’s disease-related oxidative stress.

NF-κB signaling pathway as target for antiplatelet activity

In different nucleated cells, NF-κB has long been considered a prototypical proinflammatory signaling pathway with the expression of proinflammatory genes. Although platelets lack a nucleus, a number of functional transcription factors are involved in activated platelets, such as NF-κB. In platelet activation NF-κB regulation events include IKKβ phosphorylation, IκBα degradation, and p65 phosphorylation. Multiple pathways contribute to platelet activation and NF-κB is a common pathway in this activation. Therefore, in platelet activation the modulation of NF-κB pathway could be a potential new target in the treatment of inflammation-related vascular disease therapy (antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities).

Cross-talk between NADPH oxidase-PKCα-p(38)MAPK and NF-κB-MT1MMP in activating proMMP-2 by ET-1 in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

Treatment of bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells with endothelin-1 (ET-1) caused an increase in the expression and activation of proMMP-2 in the cells. The present study was undertaken to determine the underlying mechanisms involved in this scenario. We demonstrated that (i) pretreatment with NADPH oxidase inhibitor, apocynin; PKC-α inhibitor, Go6976; p(38)MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and NF-κB inhibitor, Bay11-7082 inhibited the expression and activation of proMMP-2 induced by ET-1; (ii) ET-1 treatment to the cells stimulated NADPH oxidase and PKCα activity, p(38)MAPK phosphorylation as well as NF-κB activation by translocation of NF-κBp65 subunit from cytosol to the nucleus, and subsequently by increasing its DNA-binding activity; (iii) ET-1 increases MT1-MMP expression, which was inhibited upon pretreatment with apocynin, Go6976, SB293580, and Bay 11-7082; (iv) ET-1 treatment to the cells downregulated TIMP-2 level. Although apocynin and Go6976 pretreatment reversed ET-1 effect on TIMP-2 level, yet pretreatment of the cells with SB203580 and Bay 11-7082 did not show any discernible change in TIMP-2 level by ET-1. Overall, our results suggest that ET-1-induced activation of proMMP-2 is mediated via cross-talk between NADPH oxidase-PKCα-p(38)MAPK and NFκB-MT1MMP signaling pathways along with a marked decrease in TIMP-2 expression in the cells.

Role of Spm-Cer-S1P signalling pathway in MMP-2 mediated U46619-induced proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells: protective role of epigallocatechin-3-gallate

During remodelling of pulmonary artery, marked proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) occurs, which contributes to pulmonary hypertension. Thromboxane A2 (TxA2) has been shown to produce pulmonary hypertension. The present study investigates the inhibitory effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the TxA2 mimetic, U46619-induced proliferation of PASMCs. U46619 at a concentration of 10 nM induces maximum proliferation of bovine PASMCs. Both pharmacological and genetic inhibitors of p(38)MAPK, NF-κB and MMP-2 significantly inhibit U46619-induced cell proliferation. EGCG markedly abrogate U46619-induced p(38)MAPK phosphorylation, NF-κB activation, proMMP-2 expression and activation, and also the cell proliferation. U46619 causes an increase in the activation of sphingomyelinase (SMase) and sphingosine kinase (SPHK) and also increase sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) level. U46619 also induces phosphorylation of ERK1/2, which phosphorylates SPHK leading to an increase in S1P level. Both pharmacological and genetic inhibitors of SMase and SPHK markedly inhibit U46619-induced cell proliferation. Additionally, pharmacological and genetic inhibitors of MMP-2 markedly abrogate U46619-induced SMase activity and S1P level. EGCG markedly inhibit U46619-induced SMase activity, ERK1/2 and SPHK phosphorylation and S1P level in the cells. Overall, Sphingomyeline-Ceramide-Sphingosine-1-phosphate (Spm-Cer-S1P) signalling axis plays an important role in MMP-2 mediated U46619-induced proliferation of PASMCs. Importantly, EGCG inhibits U46619 induced increase in MMP-2 activation by modulating p(38)MAPK-NFκB pathway and subsequently prevents the cell proliferation.

Role of PKC-α in NF-κB-MT1-MMP-mediated activation of proMMP-2 by TNF-α in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

We sought to evaluate the mechanism(s) associated with pro matrix metalloprotease 2 (proMMP-2) activation in bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Preincubation of cells with anti-TNFR1 antibody prevented tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced proMMP-2 activation and increase in membrane type 1 matrix metalloprotease (MT1-MMP) expression as well as inhibition of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) expression, indicating the role of TNFR1 receptor during TNF-α stimulation. Anti-MT1-MMP antibody abrogated proMMP-2 activation by TNF-α-stimulated cell membrane, suggesting the involvement of MT1-MMP in proMMP-2 activation. Induction of MT1-MMP expression in response to TNF-α occurs via activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB on inhibitory κB kinase (IKK) activation and subsequently phosphorylation/degradation of IκB-α. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC)-α activity by Go6976 and PKC-α siRNA prevented TNF-α-induced IKK activity, IκB-α phosphorylation/degradation and NF-κB activation. Inhibition of PKC-α activity also prevented TNF-α-induced MT1-MMP expression and proMMP-2 activation as well as down regulation of TIMP-2 expression. Inhibition of IκB-α phosphorylation by PS-1145, an IKK selective inhibitor, prevented TNF-α-induced increase in MT1-MMP expression and proMMP-2 activation, which although did not alter inhibition of TIMP-2 expression. Overall, we unravelled a hitherto unknown mechanism of the involvement of PKC-α in proMMP-2 activation and inhibition of TIMP-2 expression by NF-κB-MT1-MMP-dependent and -independent pathway, respectively, during TNF-α stimulation in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.

DNA-binding ability of NF-kappaB is affected differently by ERalpha and ERbeta and its activation results in inhibition of estrogen responsiveness

Estrogenic effects involve interactions between estrogen receptors (ERs), response elements, and nuclear proteins. It is hypothesized that interaction between ER and NF-kappa B may affect the regulation of responsive genes. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was performed to assess if the interaction of ERs and NF- kappaB affect their respective DNA-binding activities, and alkaline phosphatase assay was done to evaluate estrogenic activity. EMSA revealed that ERs inhibit DNA-binding of p50 and p65, whereas p50 did not impair ER alpha binding. Stimulation with estradiol inhibited DNA binding of NF-kappaB in ERalpha-transfected endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Moreover, activation of NF-kappaB significantly decreased estrogen responsiveness of Ishikawa cells and ERalpha-transfected ESC. Our results suggest that ERs downregulate NF-kappaB-dependent gene activation by directly preventing DNA binding. However, NF-kappaB-mediated inhibition of ER-dependent gene activation may be carried out indirectly rather than through a direct inhibition of ER-DNA binding. These findings offer new insight into the specific role of ERalpha and could eventually help in developing therapeutics for endometriosis.

Activation of RelA homodimers by tumour necrosis factor alpha: a possible transcriptional activator in human vascular endothelial cells

In vascular endothelial cells, cytokines induce genes that are expressed in inflammatory lesions partly through the activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB (nuclear factor-kappaB). Among the members of the NF-kappaB/rel protein family, homodimers of the RelA subunit of NF-kappaB can also function as strong transactivators when expressed in cells. However, the functional role of endogenous RelA homodimers has not been clearly elucidated. We investigated whether RelA homodimers are induced in cytokine-treated vascular endothelial cells. Gel mobility-shift and supershift assays revealed that a cytokine TNFalpha (tumour necrosis factor alpha) activated both NF-kappaB1/RelA heterodimers and RelA homodimers that bound to a canonical kappaB sequence, IgkappaB (immunoglobulin kappaB), in SV40 (simian virus 40) immortalized HMEC-1 (human dermal microvascular endothelial cell line 1). In HMEC-1 and HUVEC (human umbilical-vein endothelial cells), TNFalpha also induced RelA homodimers that bound to the sequence 65-2kappaB, which specifically binds to RelA homodimers but not to NF-kappaB1/RelA heterodimers in vitro. Deoxycholic acid, a detergent that can dissociate the NF-kappaB-IkappaB complex (where IkappaB stands for inhibitory kappaB), induced the binding of the RelA homodimers to 65-2kappaB from the cytosolic fraction of resting HMEC-1. Furthermore, TNFalpha induced the transcriptional activity of a reporter gene that was driven by 65-2kappaB in HMEC-1. These results suggest that in addition to NF-kappaB1/RelA heterodimers, TNFalpha also induces RelA homodimers that are functionally active. Thus RelA homodimers may actively participate in cytokine regulation of gene expression in human vascular endothelial cells.

Regulation of c-Rel nuclear localization by binding of Ca2+/calmodulin

The NF-kappa B/Rel family of transcription factors participates in the control of a wide array of genes, including genes involved in embryonic development and regulation of immune, inflammation, and stress responses. In most cells, inhibitory I kappa B proteins sequester NF-kappa B/Rel in the cytoplasm. Cellular stimulation results in the degradation of I kappa B and modification of NF-kappa B/Rel proteins, allowing NF-kappa B/Rel to translocate to the nucleus and act on its target genes. Calmodulin (CaM) is a highly conserved, ubiquitously expressed Ca(2+) binding protein that serves as a key mediator of intracellular Ca(2+) signals. Here we report that two members of the NF-kappa B/Rel family, c-Rel and RelA, interact directly with Ca(2+)-loaded CaM. The interaction with CaM is greatly enhanced by cell stimulation, and this enhancement is blocked by addition of I kappa B. c-Rel and RelA interact with CaM through a similar sequence near the nuclear localization signal. Compared to the wild-type protein, CaM binding-deficient mutants of c-Rel exhibit increases in both nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity on the interleukin 2 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor promoters in the presence of a Ca(2+) signal. Conversely, for RelA neither nuclear accumulation nor transcriptional activity on these promoters is increased by mutation of the sequence interacting with CaM. Our results suggest that CaM binds c-Rel and RelA after their release from I kappa B and can inhibit nuclear import of c-Rel while letting RelA translocate to the nucleus and act on its target genes. CaM can therefore differentially regulate the activation of NF-kappa B/Rel proteins following stimulation.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induces distinctive NF-kappa B signaling within human dermal fibroblasts

The TNF-alpha receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) and its downstream mediator, the NF-kappa B-inducing kinase (NIK), have been shown to induce NF-kappa B activation in 293 cells. Investigating the role these mediators play in human skin, we found that both NIK and TRAF2 failed to evoke transcription from NF-kappa B-dependent promoters linked to the CAT reporter in human dermal fibroblast cultures, while epidermal keratinocyte cultures demonstrated NIK-dependent signaling. Further, NF-kappa B activation by TNF-alpha was unaffected by overexpression of a dominant negative mutant NIK in fibroblasts, despite detection of endogenous TRAF2 and NIK by Western analysis. To explore alternative signaling mechanisms in dermal fibroblasts, we found that the intracellular calcium chelator, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid, and the calpain inhibitor, N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal, both blocked NF-kappa B activation; however, the specific proteosome inhibitor, lactacystin, failed to do so. Furthermore, TNF-alpha receptor mutants lacking a functional death domain failed to stimulate NF-kappa B, while phosphatidylcholine-phospholipase C inhibition and alkalization of endolysosomal compartments blocked its activation by TNF-alpha. These data indicate that, while epidermal keratinocytes utilize previously defined, NIK-dependent NF-kappa B pathways, dermal fibroblasts demonstrate unique NIK/TRAF2-independent signal transduction, where both acidic sphingomyelinase and calpain activity act as surrogate mediators for NF-kappa B activation.

NF-kappaB in Th2 cells: delayed and long-lasting induction through the TCR complex

Nucelar NFkappaB was analyzed in murine Th2 cells after stimulation via the TCR pathway. Signals delivered through the TCR/CD3 complex induced active NFkappaB translocation to the nucleus of Th2 cells after a late phase (24 h) of the activation process, which is in contrast to the rapid appearance of nuclear NFkappaB (3 h) in Th1 cells after the same stimulation. The slow kinetic of NFkappaB nuclear uptake in Th2 cells was not accelerated by CD28 triggering or under stimulation with antigen plus antigen-presenting cells. Th1 and Th2 cells were also different in the composition of NFkappaB complexes induced. Whereas in Th1 cells TCR triggering induced the presence of nuclear p50.p65 heterodimers, in Th2 cells the complexes induced were shown to be composed of p65 plus another NFkappaB protein distinct from p50. The delayed NFkappaB induction in Th2 cells was dependent on protein synthesis and the significance of this is discussed.

Inhibitors of ADP-ribosylation impair inducible nitric oxide synthase gene transcription through inhibition of NF kappa B activation

In murine macrophages, inducible NO synthase II (iNOS or NOS-II) is induced at the transcriptional level by IFN-gamma, alone or synergistically with LPS. We investigated the possible role of reactions of ADP-ribosylation in triggering the signaling pathways involved in NOS-II gene expression. Stimulation with IFN-gamma and/or LPS of RAW 264.7 macrophages, transiently transfected with the NOS-II promoter, was inhibited by ADP-ribosylation inhibitors, indicating that they interfered with the signal(s) responsible for NOS-II gene transcription. We therefore explored the effect of these inhibitors on the activity of IRF-1 and NF kappa B transcription factors known to be involved in NOS-II induction by IFN-gamma and LPS. No effect was observed on IRF-1 activation. However, NF kappa B binding to its target sequence diminished and transfection experiments with an NF kappa B-driven reporter plasmid demonstrating that ADP-ribosylation inhibitors suppressed NF kappa B-dependent promoter activity. These results provide evidence that a step involving ADP-ribosylation is required to activate NF kappa B-mediated gene transcription.

The kappaB sites in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat enhance virus replication yet are not absolutely required for viral growth

The dependence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) on its NF-kappaB binding sites (kappaB sites) for replication in transformed and primary T-cell targets was examined by infecting cells with HIV-1 reporter viruses containing kappaB site enhancer mutations. Viral transcription was measured either with luciferase-expressing HIV-1 that infects for a single round or by flow cytometric analyses with HIV-1 expressing placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) or green-fluorescent protein (GFP). Both PLAP- and GFP-expressing viruses spread from cell to cell and allowed analysis of viral gene expression patterns in single cells. Infection of a panel of T-cell lines with different basal levels of NF-kappaB demonstrated a direct correlation between the amount of constitutive nuclear NF-kappaB and the degree to which a wild-type virus outperformed kappaB site mutants. One T-cell line with a constitutively high level of nuclear NF-kappaB, PM1, showed a 20-fold decrease in transcription when its kappaB sites were mutated. In contrast, in a T-cell line with a low basal level of NF-kappaB, SupT1, mutation of the kappaB site in the enhancer had no effect on viral transcription or growth rate. Phytohemagglutinin-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed a large dependence on the kappaB sites for optimal virus growth. Viruses without marker genes corroborated the finding that mutations to the kappaB sites impair virus production in cells with a high basal level of NF-kappaB. These data show that in T cells, HIV-1 can use NF-kappaB to enhance its growth but the virus is clearly able to grow in its absence.

Enhancement of immunoreactivity for NF-kappa B in human cerebral infarctions

The distribution of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) was investigated immunohistochemically in recently infarcted areas of postmortem human brain. Previously we reported that immunoreactivity for NF-kappa B was enhanced in neurons of Alzheimer disease brain in comparison with control cases. In the present study, a similar enhancement of immunoreactivity was observed in glial cells of infarcted areas, but not in the unaffected surround. Prominent staining for NF-kappa B was seen in some astrocytes, particularly in the penumbra or border zone between ischemic and non-ischemic areas. In some cases, positively stained macrophages were also observed in affected areas. Capillary staining for NF-kappa B was weak and did not differ significantly between affected and unaffected areas. These results suggest that enhanced expression of astrocytic NF-kappa B occurs in cerebral infarcted areas.

Histone H1 enhances the DNA binding activity of the transcription factor EmBP-1

Previous work indicated that nuclear extracts isolated from embryogenic rice suspension cells treated with the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) have enhanced binding activity to an ABA response element (Em1a) in the promoter of the Em gene from wheat. We identified an activity in wheat and maize nuclear extracts that enhances binding of the recombinant transcription factor EmBP-1 to Em1a by 80-fold. Fractionation of nuclear extracts led us to identify histone H1 and HMGb (but not HMGc or -d) as two factors that can enhance the ability of EmBP-1 to bind to Em1a and account for at least a part of this activity of nuclear extracts. Our results, which indicate for the first time that histone H1 possesses this type of activity, lend further support to the model that positively charged proteins can drastically affect the DNA binding activity of specific transcription factors. Furthermore, our study points to these chromosomal proteins as potential targets of an ABA-mediated modification (e.g. acetylation) that could affect the regulation of Em gene expression.

Multiple transcription factors are required for activation of human interleukin 9 gene in T cells

The genetic elements and regulatory mechanisms responsible for human interleukin 9 (IL-9) gene expression in a human T cell leukemia virus type I-transformed human T cell line, C5MJ2, were investigated. We demonstrated that IL-9 gene expression is controlled, at least in part, by transcriptional activation. Transient expression of the luciferase reporter gene linked to serially deleted sequences of the 5'-flanking region of the IL-9 gene has revealed several positive and negative regulatory elements involved in the basal and inducible expression of the IL-9 gene in C5MJ2 cells. An AP-1 site at -146 to -140 was shown to be involved in the expression of the IL-9 gene. A proximal region between -46 and -80 was identified as the minimum sequence for the basal and inducible expression of the IL-9 gene in C5MJ2 cells. Within this region, an NF-kappaB site at -59 to -50 and its adjacent 20-base pair upstream sequence were demonstrated to play a critical role for the IL-9 promoter activity. DNA-protein binding studies indicated that NF-kappaB, c-Jun, and potentially novel proteins (around 35 kDa) can bind to this important sequence. Mutations at different sites within this proximal promoter region abolished the promoter activity as well as the DNA binding. Taken together, these results suggest that the cooperation of different transcription factors is essential for IL-9 gene expression in T cells.

Sequence requirements for Afr-2 regulation of alpha-fetoprotein gene expression during liver regeneration

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene expression occurs in the yolk sac, fetal liver and gut, and in the adult liver during regeneration and tumorigenesis. Polymorphism at a single genetic locus, Afr-2 (formerly known as Rif) between inbred mouse strains C3H/He and C57B1/6, results in different levels of AFP expression during liver regeneration. We examined AFP, histone H3, and albumin gene expression during liver regeneration and found that the strain-specific variance in AFP gene expression could not be attributed to a difference in the numbers of dividing cells. Experiments with transgenic mice revealed sequences required for Afr-2 regulation included 172 bp between -1010 and -838 bp and 118 bp immediately upstream of the AFP transcriptional start site-the same regions required for induction during liver regeneration. This suggests that the Afr-2 phenotype may stem from an allelic difference in a gene regulating gene expression during liver regeneration.

Proteasome inhibitors block VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 gene expression in endothelial cells without affecting nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B

Endothelial cells play a major role in recruiting leukocytes to sites of inflammation. This is accomplished, at least in part, by up-regulation of cell surface adhesion molecules, including VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, in response to cytokines. In this report, we investigated the role of the proteasome complex in mediating the interleukin (IL)- 1 beta induction of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 gene expression in human endothelial cells. We present evidence that a proteasome inhibitor, n-acetyl-leucinyl-leucinyl-norleucinal (norLEU), as well as specific protease inhibitors, n-tosyl-Lys-chloromethylketone and N-tosyl-Phe-chloromethylketone, blocked IL-1 beta induction of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 promoter-driven reporter gene expression in stably transfected endothelial cells. These inhibitors also blocked cytokine induced cell surface expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. As expected, the protease inhibitors blocked the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B in response to IL-1 beta stimulation. In contrast, norLEU did not prevent IL-1 beta-induced nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B. The effects of norLEU were specific because it did not inhibit the IL-1 beta induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 gene expression. This study demonstrates that inhibition of the proteolytic activity of the proteasome blocks IL-1 beta induction of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 gene expression in human endothelial cells.

Triggering of the human interleukin-6 gene by interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in monocytic cells involves cooperation between interferon regulatory factor-1, NF kappa B, and Sp1 transcription factors

We investigated the molecular basis of the synergistic induction by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)/tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) of human interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene in THP-1 monocytic cells, and compared it with the basis of this induction by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Functional studies with IL-6 promoter demonstrated that three regions are the targets of the IFN-gamma and/or TNF-alpha action, whereas only one of these regions seemed to be implicated in LPS activation. The three regions concerned are: 1) a region between -73 and -36, which is the minimal element inducible by LPS or TNF-alpha; 2) an element located between -181 and -73, which appeared to regulate the response to IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha negatively; and 3) a distal element upstream of -224, which was inducible by IFN-gamma alone. LPS signaling was found to involve NF kappa B activation by the p50/p65 heterodimers. Synergistic induction of the IL-6 gene by IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, in monocytic cells, involved cooperation between the IRF-1 and NF kappa B p65 homodimers with concomitant removal of the negative effect of the retinoblastoma control element present in the IL-6 promoter. This removal occurred by activation of the constitutive Sp1 factor, whose increased binding activity and phosphorylation were mediated by IFN-gamma.

RelA is a potent transcriptional activator of the CD28 response element within the interleukin 2 promoter

T-cell activation requires two different signals. The T-cell receptor's recognition of a specific antigen on antigen-presenting cells provides one, and the second signal comes from costimulatory molecules such as CD28. In contrast, T cells that are stimulated with antigen in the absence of the CD28 costimulatory signal can become anergic (nonresponsive). The CD28 response element (CD28RE) has been identified as the DNA element mediating interleukin 2 (IL-2) gene activation by CD28 costimulation. Our previous work demonstrates that the Rel/NF-kappa B family proteins c-Rel, RelA (p65), and NFKB1 (p50) are involved in the complex that binds to the CD28RE. We also showed that c-Rel, but not NFKB1 (p50), can bind to the CD28RE and activate CD28RE-driven transcription in cotransfection assays. However, the role of RelA (p65) in CD28 signaling has not yet been addressed. We provide evidence that RelA (p65) itself bound directly to the CD28RE of the IL-2 promoter and other lymphokine promoters. In addition, RelA (p65) was a potent transcriptional activator of the CD28RE in vivo. We show that a RelA (p65)-c-Rel heterodimer bound to the CD28RE and synergistically activated the CD28RE enhancer activity. We also demonstrate that activated Raf-1 kinase synergized with RelA (p65) in activating the CD28RE enhancer activity. Interestingly, a soluble anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody alone, in the absence of other stimuli, also synergized with RelA (p65) in activating the CD28RE. Furthermore, we show that RelA (p65) activated expression of the wild-type IL-2 promoter but not the CD28RE-mutated IL-2 promoter. A combination of RelA (p65) and NFKB1 (p50) also activated the IL-2 promoter through the CD28RE site. These results demonstrate the functional regulation of the CD28RE, within the IL-2 promoter, by Rel/NF-kappa B transcription factors.

cis-acting elements and transcription factors involved in the promoter activity of the human factor VIII gene

Factor VIII is a glycoprotein that is essential for blood coagulation. Although factor VIII mRNA has been detected in a variety of human tissues, hepatocytes are considered to be the major source of plasma factor VIII. In this report we demonstrate that the 5'-flanking region of the factor VIII gene is able to transcribe a luciferase reporter gene in three human liver-derived cell lines: PLC/PRF/5, Chang, and HepG2. DNase I footprinting showed the presence of 19 protein binding sites (labeled A to S, proximal to distal) distributed along the region from nucleotide -1175 to -9 of the factor VIII promoter (+1 refers to the translation initiation codon, ATG). Functional analysis of 5' and 3' deletion mutants of the promoter region in PLC/PRF/5 cells revealed that the region from -279 to -64, including sites B to D, contains all the necessary elements for maximal promoter activity. By using electrophoretic mobility shift assays with nuclear extracts and purified transcription factors, and antibody supershift assays we were able to characterize four liver-enriched factors and one ubiquitous transcription factor interacting with the proximal promoter binding sites (sites A to E): hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF) 1 (site A), NF kappa B (site B), C/EBP alpha and C/EBP beta (proximal and distal regions of site C, and site D), and HNF4 (site E). Additionally, mutation of the putative TATA box GATAAA (positions -201 to -196) to GACCGA resulted in less than 2-fold decrease in promoter activity, suggesting that the putative TATA box is not essential for factor VIII promoter activity. These results significantly contribute to the understanding of the control of the hepatic transcription of the factor VIII gene.

Constitutive and inducible kappa B binding activities in the cytosol of v-Rel-transformed lymphoid cells

Constitutive and inducible kapp B binding activities associated with v-Rel and c-Rel in the cytosol of v-Rel-transformed cells have been identified. These activities were resolved by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatographic techniques into a high-molecular-weight protein-DNA complex designated complex I containing v- and c-Rel and lower-molecular-weight complexes II, III and IV which contained only v-Rel and which were stimulated by nucleotides, low pH, and detergent. These experiments suggest that interaction of v-Rel and c-Rel decreases the DNA-binding activity of each.

HIV type 1 protease activation of NF-kappa B within T lymphoid cells

NF-kappa B is a nuclear protein of the rel oncogene family capable of enhancing transcription of several cellular genes, including IL-2 and the IL-2 receptor, and viral genes transcribed from the HIV-1 LTR. It has been reported that HIV-1 protease may cleave the NF-kappa B precursor to its active form in vitro. In this study the effects of HIV protease on NF-kappa B precursor activation were examined in Jurkat T cells by introducing a protease expression vector into the cells. Increased NF-kappa B activity was observed and this increased activity was blocked by a specific inhibitor of the viral protease. Viral transcription, as measured using LTR-CAT assays, was only slightly enhanced in the HIV-protease expressing cells, while secretion of IL-2 and expression of the IL-2 receptor were not affected. The limited activation of NF-kappa B by HIV protease appears unlikely to have a significant effect on virus expression or T cell function.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat upregulates interleukin-2 secretion in activated T cells

Dysregulation of cytokines secreted by T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AIDS. To investigate the effects of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat on interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression, we used IL-2 promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase constructs and IL-2-secreting Jurkat T cells as a model system. Transient expression of HIV-1 Tat induced a five- to eightfold increase in IL-2 promoter activity in Jurkat T cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and phorbol myristate acetate. IL-2 secretion was increased more than twofold in both Jurkat T cells and primary T cells stimulated by extracellular HIV-1 Tat protein. Analysis of mRNA suggested that Tat exerts its effect on IL-2 primarily at the transcriptional level. The NF-kappa B site at positions -206 to -195 of the IL-2 promoter was required but not sufficient for the Tat effect. The Tat-mediated increase in IL-2 promoter activity could selectively be blocked by antisense tat or-unlike the analogous effect of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 Tax-by cyclosporin A. The observed increase in IL-2 levels might facilitate virus spread from or to T cells. Furthermore, it might contribute to the hypergammaglobulinemia or, together with other cytokines found to be dysregulated, the T-helper cell dysfunctions observed in AIDS patients.

The DNA-bending protein HMG-1 enhances progesterone receptor binding to its target DNA sequences

Steroid hormone receptors are ligand-dependent transcriptional activators that exert their effects by binding as dimers to cis-acting DNA sequences termed hormone response elements. When human progesterone receptor (PR), expressed as a full-length protein in a baculovirus system, was purified to homogeneity, it retained its ability to bind hormonal ligand and to dimerize but exhibited a dramatic loss in DNA binding activity for specific progesterone response elements (PREs). Addition of nuclear extracts from several cellular sources restored DNA binding activity, suggesting that PR requires a ubiquitous accessory protein for efficient interaction with specific DNA sequences. Here we have demonstrated that the high-mobility-group chromatin protein HMG-1, as a highly purified protein, dramatically enhanced binding of purified PR to PREs in gel mobility shift assays. This effect appeared to be highly selective for HMG-1, since a number of other nonspecific proteins failed to enhance PRE binding. Moreover, HMG-1 was effective when added in stoichiometric amounts with receptor, and it was capable of enhancing the DNA binding of both the A and B amino-terminal variants of PR. The presence of HMG-1 measurably increased the binding affinity of purified PR by 10-fold when a synthetic palindromic PRE was the target DNA. The increase in binding affinity for a partial palindromic PRE present in natural target genes was greater than 10-fold. Coimmunoprecipitation assays using anti-PR or anti-HMG-1 antibodies demonstrated that both PR and HMG-1 are present in the enhanced complex with PRE. HMG-1 protein has two conserved DNA binding domains (A and B), which recognize DNA structure rather than specific sequences. The A- or B-box domain expressed and purified from Escherichia coli independently stimulated the binding of PR to PRE, and the B box was able to functionally substitute for HMG-1 in enhancing PR binding. DNA ligase-mediated ring closure assays demonstrated that both the A and B binding domains mediate DNA flexure. It was also demonstrated in competition binding studies that the intact HMG-1 protein binds to tightly curved covalently closed or relaxed DNA sequences in preference to the same sequence in linear form. The finding that enhanced PRE binding was intrinsic to the HMG-1 box, combined with the demonstration that HMG-1 or its DNA binding boxes can flex DNA, suggests that HMG-1 facilitates the binding of PR by inducing a structural change in the target DNA.

The DNA-bending protein HMG-1 enhances progesterone receptor binding to its target DNA sequences

Steroid hormone receptors are ligand-dependent transcriptional activators that exert their effects by binding as dimers to cis-acting DNA sequences termed hormone response elements. When human progesterone receptor (PR), expressed as a full-length protein in a baculovirus system, was purified to homogeneity, it retained its ability to bind hormonal ligand and to dimerize but exhibited a dramatic loss in DNA binding activity for specific progesterone response elements (PREs). Addition of nuclear extracts from several cellular sources restored DNA binding activity, suggesting that PR requires a ubiquitous accessory protein for efficient interaction with specific DNA sequences. Here we have demonstrated that the high-mobility-group chromatin protein HMG-1, as a highly purified protein, dramatically enhanced binding of purified PR to PREs in gel mobility shift assays. This effect appeared to be highly selective for HMG-1, since a number of other nonspecific proteins failed to enhance PRE binding. Moreover, HMG-1 was effective when added in stoichiometric amounts with receptor, and it was capable of enhancing the DNA binding of both the A and B amino-terminal variants of PR. The presence of HMG-1 measurably increased the binding affinity of purified PR by 10-fold when a synthetic palindromic PRE was the target DNA. The increase in binding affinity for a partial palindromic PRE present in natural target genes was greater than 10-fold. Coimmunoprecipitation assays using anti-PR or anti-HMG-1 antibodies demonstrated that both PR and HMG-1 are present in the enhanced complex with PRE. HMG-1 protein has two conserved DNA binding domains (A and B), which recognize DNA structure rather than specific sequences. The A- or B-box domain expressed and purified from Escherichia coli independently stimulated the binding of PR to PRE, and the B box was able to functionally substitute for HMG-1 in enhancing PR binding. DNA ligase-mediated ring closure assays demonstrated that both the A and B binding domains mediate DNA flexure. It was also demonstrated in competition binding studies that the intact HMG-1 protein binds to tightly curved covalently closed or relaxed DNA sequences in preference to the same sequence in linear form. The finding that enhanced PRE binding was intrinsic to the HMG-1 box, combined with the demonstration that HMG-1 or its DNA binding boxes can flex DNA, suggests that HMG-1 facilitates the binding of PR by inducing a structural change in the target DNA.

Purification, reconstitution, and I kappa B association of the c-Rel-p65 (RelA) complex, a strong activator of transcription

HeLa cells contain a DNA-binding activity which associates with a kappa B-like DNA element, termed Rel-related protein-binding element (RRBE), localized upstream of the human urokinase promoter. We have purified this activity from the HeLa cell cytosol and have shown that it represents a performed heteromeric complex between p65 (RelA) and c-Rel. Coexpression of c-Rel and p65 (RelA) by in vitro translation formed a DNA-binding complex indistinguishable from purified cellular c-Rel-p65 (RelA) in mobility shift assays. The c-Rel-p65 (RelA) complex was also formed in COS7 cells upon coexpression of c-Rel and p65 (RelA) cDNAs. Cotransfection experiments with COS7 cells, using expression plasmids encoding p50, p65 (RelA), or c-Rel and reporter constructs containing a trimerized RRBE, revealed that c-Rel-p65 (RelA) is a potent activator of the RRBE, giving rise to transcriptional activity higher than that observed with NF-kappa B (p50-p65). In the cytosol, the c-Rel-p65 (RelA) complex existed in a latent, non-DNA-binding form but could be activated by detergent treatment, suggesting that it was associated with an I kappa B protein. Recombinant I kappa B-alpha inhibited the DNA-binding activity of c-Rel-p65 (RelA) via association with either c-Rel or p65 (RelA). Finally, NF-kappa B and c-Rel-p65 (RelA) complexes were found to be differentially expressed and regulated in different cells. The two complexes were present in equimolar amounts in HeLa cells and K562 cells. Stimulation with tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) resulted in the nuclear translocation of both NF-kappa B and c-Rel-p65 (RelA) in HeLa cells and of NF-kappa B in HepG2 cells but had no effect on either complex in K562 cells. In addition, TPA stimulation of HepG2 cells induced the expression of a cytosolic latent c-Rel-p65 (RelA) complex which, however, was not translocated to the nucleus. In conclusion, our findings show that c-Rel-p65 (RelA) is an inducible and very potent transcriptional activator which is differentially activated in a cell-type-specific manner.

Purification, reconstitution, and I kappa B association of the c-Rel-p65 (RelA) complex, a strong activator of transcription

HeLa cells contain a DNA-binding activity which associates with a kappa B-like DNA element, termed Rel-related protein-binding element (RRBE), localized upstream of the human urokinase promoter. We have purified this activity from the HeLa cell cytosol and have shown that it represents a performed heteromeric complex between p65 (RelA) and c-Rel. Coexpression of c-Rel and p65 (RelA) by in vitro translation formed a DNA-binding complex indistinguishable from purified cellular c-Rel-p65 (RelA) in mobility shift assays. The c-Rel-p65 (RelA) complex was also formed in COS7 cells upon coexpression of c-Rel and p65 (RelA) cDNAs. Cotransfection experiments with COS7 cells, using expression plasmids encoding p50, p65 (RelA), or c-Rel and reporter constructs containing a trimerized RRBE, revealed that c-Rel-p65 (RelA) is a potent activator of the RRBE, giving rise to transcriptional activity higher than that observed with NF-kappa B (p50-p65). In the cytosol, the c-Rel-p65 (RelA) complex existed in a latent, non-DNA-binding form but could be activated by detergent treatment, suggesting that it was associated with an I kappa B protein. Recombinant I kappa B-alpha inhibited the DNA-binding activity of c-Rel-p65 (RelA) via association with either c-Rel or p65 (RelA). Finally, NF-kappa B and c-Rel-p65 (RelA) complexes were found to be differentially expressed and regulated in different cells. The two complexes were present in equimolar amounts in HeLa cells and K562 cells. Stimulation with tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) resulted in the nuclear translocation of both NF-kappa B and c-Rel-p65 (RelA) in HeLa cells and of NF-kappa B in HepG2 cells but had no effect on either complex in K562 cells. In addition, TPA stimulation of HepG2 cells induced the expression of a cytosolic latent c-Rel-p65 (RelA) complex which, however, was not translocated to the nucleus. In conclusion, our findings show that c-Rel-p65 (RelA) is an inducible and very potent transcriptional activator which is differentially activated in a cell-type-specific manner.

The Drosophila dorsal morphogen represses the tolloid gene by interacting with a silencer element

The dorsal protein (DL) regulates the transcriptional activity of several genes that determine cell fate along the dorsoventral axis of the Drosophila melanogaster embryo. DL is present at high levels in ventral nuclei, where it activates some genes (twi and sna) and represses others (zen, dpp, and tld). DL shows homology to the Rel family of proteins and interacts with specific DNA sequences in the regulatory regions of its target genes. The distal portion of the zen gene acts as a silencer that can mediate the repression of a heterologous promoter in ventral regions of the embryo. It contains four DL binding sites which alone are sufficient for activation but not repression. Here we analyze the interaction of DL with another one of its repressed targets, the tolloid (tld) gene. Approximately 800 bp of 5'-flanking sequences upstream of the tld coding region were shown to drive an expression pattern indistinguishable from the wild-type pattern. A 423-bp fragment located within these sequences contains two DL binding sites and was shown to act as a silencer to mediate ventral repression. Point mutations in the sites abolish not only DNA binding but also ventral repression. We discuss a comparison of the DNA sequences from the zen and tld promoters and the possible mechanisms of transcriptional silencing.

The Drosophila dorsal morphogen represses the tolloid gene by interacting with a silencer element

The dorsal protein (DL) regulates the transcriptional activity of several genes that determine cell fate along the dorsoventral axis of the Drosophila melanogaster embryo. DL is present at high levels in ventral nuclei, where it activates some genes (twi and sna) and represses others (zen, dpp, and tld). DL shows homology to the Rel family of proteins and interacts with specific DNA sequences in the regulatory regions of its target genes. The distal portion of the zen gene acts as a silencer that can mediate the repression of a heterologous promoter in ventral regions of the embryo. It contains four DL binding sites which alone are sufficient for activation but not repression. Here we analyze the interaction of DL with another one of its repressed targets, the tolloid (tld) gene. Approximately 800 bp of 5'-flanking sequences upstream of the tld coding region were shown to drive an expression pattern indistinguishable from the wild-type pattern. A 423-bp fragment located within these sequences contains two DL binding sites and was shown to act as a silencer to mediate ventral repression. Point mutations in the sites abolish not only DNA binding but also ventral repression. We discuss a comparison of the DNA sequences from the zen and tld promoters and the possible mechanisms of transcriptional silencing.

Molecular cloning of a zinc finger protein which binds to the heptamer of the signal sequence for V(D)J recombination

The somatic V(D)J recombination for the assembly of the Ig and TCR genes is mediated by the recombination signal sequences (Rss) and the V(D)J recombinase. A cDNA clone was isolated from a lambda gt11 expression library made from mouse thymocyte poly(A)+ RNA, using the Rss as a ligand. The deduced amino acid sequence of the putative protein, designated Recognition component (Rc), reveals a pair of Cys2-His2 zinc fingers followed by a Glu- and Asp-rich acidic domain. In addition, there are five copies of the Ser/Thr-Pro-X-Arg/Lys sequence, which are putative DNA binding units. The zinc finger-acidic domain structures present in Rc are also found in several enhancer binding proteins, such as those for the kappa B motif of the Ig kappa light chain enhancer or related sequences. Bacterial fusion proteins for Rc bind preferentially to the Rss heptamer and to the kappa B motif. The dual affinities of Rc for the Rss heptamer and the kappa B motif suggest a possible link between Ig transcription and somatic recombination. The formation of multiple 'gel-shifted' DNA-protein complexes for Rc and its DNA ligand suggests that these complexes tend to multimerize.

C/EBP, NF-kappa B, and c-Ets family members and transcriptional regulation of the cell-specific and inducible macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha immediate-early gene

Macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) cytokine gene expression is restricted to a limited number of cells of hemopoietic origin and is rapidly and transiently induced by serum and endotoxin in macrophages. A single nuclear DNase I-hypersensitive site, which maps to the proximal promoter of the MIP-1 alpha gene, was identified in macrophage cells but was absent in cells which do not express basal levels of MIP-1 alpha mRNA. The proximal promoter sequences (+36 to -220 bp) are sufficient to confer cell-specific and inducible transcription in transfection assays. In vitro DNA-binding studies revealed five major nuclear protein binding sites in the proximal promoter which bind C/EBP, NF-kappa B, and/or c-Ets family members. Cell-specific differences in DNA binding by members of the NF-kappa B and c-Ets families correlate with the cell-specificity of MIP-1 alpha gene expression and the chromosomal conformation of the promoter. Changes in promoter binding by members of the C/EBP and NF-kappa B families correlate with the transcriptional up-regulation observed in serum- or endotoxin-stimulated macrophages in functional studies.

C/EBP, NF-kappa B, and c-Ets family members and transcriptional regulation of the cell-specific and inducible macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha immediate-early gene

Macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) cytokine gene expression is restricted to a limited number of cells of hemopoietic origin and is rapidly and transiently induced by serum and endotoxin in macrophages. A single nuclear DNase I-hypersensitive site, which maps to the proximal promoter of the MIP-1 alpha gene, was identified in macrophage cells but was absent in cells which do not express basal levels of MIP-1 alpha mRNA. The proximal promoter sequences (+36 to -220 bp) are sufficient to confer cell-specific and inducible transcription in transfection assays. In vitro DNA-binding studies revealed five major nuclear protein binding sites in the proximal promoter which bind C/EBP, NF-kappa B, and/or c-Ets family members. Cell-specific differences in DNA binding by members of the NF-kappa B and c-Ets families correlate with the cell-specificity of MIP-1 alpha gene expression and the chromosomal conformation of the promoter. Changes in promoter binding by members of the C/EBP and NF-kappa B families correlate with the transcriptional up-regulation observed in serum- or endotoxin-stimulated macrophages in functional studies.

Regulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression: evidence for a tissue-specific role of protein kinase C

The regulation of IL-6 mRNA expression was studied in human blood monocytes and in the human epidermoid carcinoma cell line HEp-2. In human monocytes phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) did not induce IL-6 but it increased IL-1 beta and IL-8 mRNA levels. Furthermore, in monocytes, protein kinase C (PKC) activation by PMA even reduced IL-1-induced IL-6 mRNA, and IL-1-induced IL-6 synthesis was increased by the PKC inhibitor staurosporine. IL-6 synthesis in HEp-2 cells was induced by IL-1, PMA, and calcium ionophore A 23187 but not by dibutyryl-cAMP. PMA-, but not IL-1-induced IL-6 synthesis in HEp-2 cells was inhibited by staurosporine. PMA pretreatment of HEp-2 cells abolished PMA-induced IL-6 but the IL-1 effect was not reduced. These data indicate that IL-6 can be induced by a PKC-independent pathway in monocytes and HEp-2 cells. In monocytes PKC activation does not induce IL-6 and PMA interferes with the IL-1 effect. Transcription factors known to be involved with the regulation of IL-6 expression were studied by gel retardation assays. NF-IL-6 and AP-1 activity were constitutively expressed in monocytes and HEp-2 cells under conditions where IL-6 mRNA was not detectable and levels did not change in response to stimulation by IL-1 or PMA. In contrast, NF-kB was increased by both IL-1 and PMA, but only the effect of PMA, and not that of IL-1, was inhibited by staurosporine. In summary, these results show tissue-specific differences in the regulation of IL-6 expression. Induction of IL-6 in monocytes is PKC independent. In the epithelial cell line HEp-2 IL-6 is inducible by PKC as well as by a PKC-independent pathway.

Negative transcriptional regulation of human interleukin 2 (IL-2) gene by glucocorticoids through interference with nuclear transcription factors AP-1 and NF-AT

IL-2 gene transcription is affected by several nuclear proteins. We asked whether dexamethasone (Dex) and cyclosporin A (CsA) inhibit IL-2 gene transcription by interfering with the activity of nuclear proteins that bind to the IL-2 promoter. Nuclear extracts from primary human T lymphocytes were analyzed by electrophoretic DNA mobility shift assays. Both Dex and CsA inhibited the binding of transcription factors AP-1 and NF-AT, but not of NF-kB and OCT-1/OAF, to their corresponding sites on the IL-2 gene promoter. To correlate changes in nuclear factor binding in vitro with transcriptional activity in vivo and define the structural requirements for IL-2 promoter repression, we used transient DNA transfections. Jurkat cells were transfected with plasmids containing either the intact IL-2 promoter or its AP-1, NF-AT, and NF-kB motifs. Dex inhibited the IL-2 promoter and the AP-1, but not the NF-AT and NF-kB plasmids. In contrast, CsA inhibited the IL-2 promoter and the NF-AT, but not the AP-1 and NF-kB plasmids. These results suggest that in human T lymphocytes both Dex and CsA inhibited IL-2 gene transcription through interference with transcription factors AP-1 and NF-AT. We propose that, while maximum inhibition may involve interaction with both transcription factors, AP-1 is the primary target of Dex.

Retinoid X receptor RXR alpha binds to and trans-activates the hepatitis B virus enhancer

A retinoid X receptor (RXR) response element was located within the functionally defined hepatitis B virus (HBV) enhancer element. A short segment of the enhancer that contains this region has been shown with genetic analysis to play a key role in the regulation of enhancer function and to represent a major determinant of liver-specific activity. Both the full-length protein and the DNA-binding domain of the liver-specific receptor RXR alpha bound to the putative retinoic acid response element in the HBV enhancer. In vivo, an HBV enhancer-reporter gene construct responds to induction with retinoic acid when cotransfected with an RXR alpha expression vector. A single-base transition (G----A) in the HBV retinoic acid response element leads to a dramatic reduction both in the in vitro binding activity of RXR alpha and the in vivo activity of the HBV enhancer. Thus, retinoic acid and the RXR alpha are implicated as being significant determinants in the liver-specific regulation of HBV gene expression and the resultant disease pathogenesis.

Cooperative effects of C/EBP-like and NF kappa B-like binding sites on rat serum amyloid A1 gene expression in liver cells

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a major acute-phase protein synthesized and secreted mainly by the liver. In response to inflammation, its expression is increased by 1000-fold, primarily because of a 200-fold increase in the rates of SAA gene transcription. We have shown that when 304 bp of 5' flanking region of the rat SAA1 gene is fused to a reporter gene, the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene, CAT activity is induced in a cell-specific manner in response to conditioned media prepared from activated mixed lymphocyte cultures and recombinant interleukin-1. In this study, deletion of the SAA1 promoter to -120 bp with respect to the transcriptional start site did not diminish promoter activity; however, deletion to -94 bp renders the promoter completely inactive. Functional analysis have demonstrated that a 66-bp DNA fragment spanning -138 bp to -73 bp could confer cytokine responsiveness to a heterologous thymidine kinase promoter. Within this 66-bp responsive element resided an NF kappa B-like-binding site and a C/EBP-like-binding site. Although each binding site alone could confer responsiveness when stimulated with conditioned media and TPA, the response was much weaker than that observed when both sites were present. Moreover, site-specific mutations of either binding site completely abolished SAA1 promoter activity. Taken together, these results suggest a functional importance for and cooperative interaction of these two nuclear-factor binding sites in the cytokine-induced expression of the rat SAA1 gene.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel Rel/NF-kappa B family member displaying structural and functional homology to NF-kappa B p50/p105

The NF-kappa B transcription factor has been implicated in the inducible expression of many genes, including inflammatory, immune, and acute-phase response genes. NF-kappa B consists of two subunits, 50K and 65K polypeptides. The genes encoding p50 and p65 have sequence similarities with the c-rel proto-oncogene and the Drosophila maternal effect gene dorsal. We describe the cloning and characterization of a novel rel-related gene encoding a 98K product that shares extensive homology with the p105 precursor of the NF-kappa B p50 protein, containing both a Rel homology and SWI6/ankyrin repeat domain. We demonstrate that p98 is proteolytically processed in vivo to generate a 55K polypeptide, which binds to kappa B sites. p55 is capable of forming heterocomplexes with other Rel/NF-kappa B family members, which can bind to kappa B motifs in vitro, and stimulate transcription of reporter genes containing these cis-elements in vivo. The identification of a homolog for NF-kappa B p50/p105, termed p55/p98, gives further support to the idea that NF-kappa B is a collection of structurally related complexes of which contribute to the pleiotropic regulatory processes originally assigned to NF-kappa B.

Transactivation by AP-1 is a molecular target of T cell clonal anergy

Anergy is a mechanism of T lymphocyte tolerance induced by antigen receptor stimulation in the absence of co-stimulation. Anergic T cells were shown to have a defect in antigen-induced transcription of the interleukin-2 gene. Analysis of the promoter indicated that the transcription factor AP-1 and its corresponding cis element were specifically down-regulated. Exposure of anergic T cells to interleukin-2 restored both antigen responsiveness and activity of the AP-1 element.