Derepression of the C/EBPalpha gene during adipogenesis: identification of AP-2alpha as a repressor

Mechanical overload-induced muscle-derived extracellular vesicles promote adipose tissue lipolysis

How regular physical activity is able to improve health remains poorly understood. The release of factors from skeletal muscle following exercise has been proposed as a possible mechanism mediating such systemic benefits. We describe a mechanism wherein skeletal muscle, in response to a hypertrophic stimulus induced by mechanical overload (MOV), released extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing muscle-specific miR-1 that were preferentially taken up by epidydimal white adipose tissue (eWAT). In eWAT, miR-1 promoted adrenergic signaling and lipolysis by targeting Tfap2α, a known repressor of Adrβ3 expression. Inhibiting EV release prevented the MOV-induced increase in eWAT miR-1 abundance and expression of lipolytic genes. Resistance exercise decreased skeletal muscle miR-1 expression with a concomitant increase in plasma EV miR-1 abundance, suggesting a similar mechanism may be operative in humans. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that skeletal muscle promotes metabolic adaptations in adipose tissue in response to MOV via EV-mediated delivery of miR-1.

Photothermal release and recovery of mesenchymal stem cells from substrates functionalized with gold nanorods

Mesenchymal stem cell therapies show great promise in regenerative medicine. However, to generate clinically relevant numbers of these stem cells, significant in vitro expansion of the cells is required before transplantation into the affected wound or defect. The current gold standard protocol for recovering in vitro cultured cells involves treatment with enzymes such as trypsin which can affect the cell phenotype and ability to interact with the environment. Alternative enzyme free methods of adherent cell recovery have been investigated, but none match the convenience and performance of enzymatic detachment. In this work we have developed a synthetically simple, low cost cell culture substrate functionalized with gold nanorods that can support cell proliferation and detachment. When these nanorods are irradiated with biocompatible low intensity near infrared radiation (785 nm, 560 mWcm^-2) they generate localized surface plasmon resonance induced nanoscale heating effects which trigger detachment of adherent mesenchymal stem cells. Through simulations and thermometry experiments we show that this localized heating is concentrated at the cell-nanorod interface, and that the stem cells detached using this technique show either similar or improved multipotency, viability and ability to differentiate into clinically desirable osteo and adipocytes, compared to enzymatically harvested cells. This proof-of-principle work shows that photothermally mediated cell detachment is a promising method for recovering mesenchymal stem cells from in vitro culture substrates, and paves the way for further studies to scale up this process and facilitate its clinical translation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: New non-enzymatic methods of harvesting adherent cells without damaging or killing them are highly desirable in fields such as regenerative medicine. Here, we present a synthetically simple, non-toxic, infra-red induced method of harvesting mesenchymal stem cells from gold nanorod functionalized substrates. The detached cells retain their ability to differentiate into therapeutically valuable osteo and adipocytes. This work represents a significant improvement on similar cell harvesting studies due to: its simplicity; the use of clinically valuable stem cells as oppose to immortalized cell lines; and the extensive cellular characterization performed. Understanding, not just if cells live or die but how they proliferate and differentiate after photothermal detachment will be essential for the translation of this and similar techniques into commercial devices.

Tripartite motif 16 ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by promoting the degradation of phospho-TAK1

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocellular carcinoma and liver disorders have become the leading causes for the need of liver transplantation in developed countries. Lipotoxicity plays a central role in NASH progression by causing endoplasmic reticulum stress and disrupting protein homeostasis. To identify key molecules that mitigate the detrimental consequences of lipotoxicity, we performed integrative multiomics analysis and identified the E3 ligase tripartite motif 16 (TRIM16) as a candidate molecule. In particular, we found that lipid accumulation and inflammation in a mouse NASH model is mitigated by TRIM16 overexpression but aggravated by its depletion. Multiomics analysis showed that TRIM16 suppressed NASH progression by attenuating the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway; specifically, by preferentially interacting with phospho-TAK1 to promote its degradation. Together, these results identify TRIM16 as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of NASH.

Downregulation of SUV39H1 and CITED2 Exerts Additive Effect on Promoting Adipogenic Commitment of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Human adipogenesis is the process through which uncommitted human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) differentiate into adipocytes. Through a siRNA-based high-throughput screen that identifies adipogenic regulators whose expression knockdown leads to enhanced adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs, two new regulators, SUV39H1, a histone methyltransferase that catalyzes H3K9Me3, and CITED2, a CBP/p300-interacting transactivator with Glu/Asp-rich carboxy-terminal domain 2 were uncovered. Both SUV39H1 and CITED2 are normally downregulated during adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs. Further expression knockdown induced by siSUV39H1 or siCITED2 at the adipogenic initiation stage significantly enhanced adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs as compared with siControl treatment, with siSUV39H1 acting by both accelerating fat accumulation in individual adipocytes and increasing the total number of committed adipocytes, whereas siCITED2 acting predominantly by increasing the total number of committed adipocytes. In addition, both siSUV39H1 and siCITED2 were able to redirect hMSCs to undergo adipogenic differentiation in the presence of osteogenic inducing media, which normally only induces osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs in the absence of siSUV39H1 or siCITED2. Interestingly, simultaneous knockdown of both SUV39H1 and CITED2 resulted in even greater levels of adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs and expression of CEBPα and PPARγ, two master regulators of adipogenesis, as compared with those elicited by single gene knockdown. Furthermore, the effects of co-knockdown were equivalent to the additive effect of individual gene knockdown. Taken together, this study demonstrates that SUV39H1 and CITED2 are both negative regulators of human adipogenesis, and downregulation of both genes exerts an additive effect on promoting adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs through augmented commitment.

Adipocyte precursor cells from first degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients feature changes in hsa-mir-23a-5p, -193a-5p, and -193b-5p and insulin-like growth factor 2 expression

First-degree relatives (FDRs) of type 2 diabetics (T2D) feature dysfunction of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) long before T2D onset. miRNAs have a role in adipocyte precursor cells (APC) differentiation and in adipocyte identity. Thus, impaired miRNA expression may contribute to SAT dysfunction in FDRs. In the present work, we have explored changes in miRNA expression associated with T2D family history which may affect gene expression in SAT APCs from FDRs. Small RNA-seq was performed in APCs from healthy FDRs and matched controls and omics data were validated by qPCR. Integrative analyses of APC miRNome and transcriptome from FDRs revealed down-regulated hsa-miR-23a-5p, -193a-5p and -193b-5p accompanied by up-regulated Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) gene which proved to be their direct target. The expression changes in these marks were associated with SAT adipocyte hypertrophy in FDRs. APCs from FDRs further demonstrated reduced capability to differentiate into adipocytes. Treatment with IGF2 protein decreased APC adipogenesis, while over-expression of hsa-miR-23a-5p, -193a-5p and -193b-5p enhanced adipogenesis by IGF2 targeting. Indeed, IGF2 increased the Wnt Family Member 10B gene expression in APCs. Down-regulation of the three miRNAs and IGF2 up-regulation was also observed in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes (PBLs) from FDRs. In conclusion, APCs from FDRs feature a specific miRNA/gene profile, which associates with SAT adipocyte hypertrophy and appears to contribute to impaired adipogenesis. PBL detection of this profile may help in identifying adipocyte hypertrophy in individuals at high risk of T2D.

Protein kinase D up-regulates transcription of VEGF receptor-2 in endothelial cells by suppressing nuclear localization of the transcription factor AP2β

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) signals primarily through its cognate receptor VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) to control vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, key physiological processes in cardiovascular disease and cancer. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), knockdown of protein kinase D-1 (PKD1) or PKD2 down-regulates VEGFR-2 expression and inhibits VEGF-induced cell proliferation and migration. However, how PKD regulates VEGF signaling is unclear. Previous bioinformatics analyses have identified binding sites for the transcription factor activating enhancer-binding protein 2 (AP2) in the VEGFR-2 promoter. Using ChIP analyses, here we found that PKD knockdown in HUVECs increases binding of AP2β to the VEGFR-2 promoter. Luciferase reporter assays with serial deletions of AP2-binding sites within the VEGFR-2 promoter revealed that its transcriptional activity negatively correlates with the number of these sites. Next we demonstrated that AP2β up-regulation decreases VEGFR-2 expression and that loss of AP2β enhances VEGFR-2 expression in HUVECs. In vivo experiments confirmed increased VEGFR-2 immunostaining in the spinal cord of AP2β knockout mouse embryos. Mechanistically, we observed that PKD phosphorylates AP2β at Ser258 and Ser277 and suppresses its nuclear accumulation. Inhibition of PKD activity with a pan-PKD inhibitor increased AP2β nuclear localization, and overexpression of both WT and constitutively active PKD1 or PKD2 reduced AP2β nuclear localization through a Ser258- and Ser277-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, substitution of Ser277 in AP2β increased its binding to the VEGFR-2 promoter. Our findings uncover evidence of a molecular pathway that regulates VEGFR-2 expression, insights that may shed light on the etiology of diseases associated with aberrant VEGF/VEGFR signaling.

KCTD1: A novel modulator of adipogenesis through the interaction with the transcription factor AP2α

Adipogenesis has an important role in regulating energy balance, tissue homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes have been widely used as an in vitro model for studying adipocyte differentiation. We here show that KCTD1, a member of the potassium channel containing tetramerization domain proteins, plays an active role in adipogenesis. In particular, we show KCTD1 expression 3T3-L1 cells increases upon adipogenesis induction. Treatment of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with Kctd1-specific siRNA inhibited the differentiation, as indicated by reduction of expression of the specific adipogenic markers C/ebpα, Pparγ2, Glut4, and Adiponectin. Moreover, we also show that the protein physically interacts with the transcription factor AP2α, a known inhibitor of adipogenesis, both in vitro and in cells. Interestingly, our data indicate that KCTD1 promotes adipogenesis through the interaction with AP2α and by removing it from the nucleus. Collectively, these findings disclose a novel role for KCTD1 and pave the way for novel strategies aimed at modulating adipogenesis.

KCTD: A new gene family involved in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders

The underlying molecular basis for neurodevelopmental or neuropsychiatric disorders is not known. In contrast, mechanistic understanding of other brain disorders including neurodegeneration has advanced considerably. Yet, these do not approach the knowledge accrued for many cancers with precision therapeutics acting on well-characterized targets. Although the identification of genes responsible for neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders remains a major obstacle, the few causally associated genes are ripe for discovery by focusing efforts to dissect their mechanisms. Here, we make a case for delving into mechanisms of the poorly characterized human KCTD gene family. Varying levels of evidence support their roles in neurocognitive disorders (KCTD3), neurodevelopmental disease (KCTD7), bipolar disorder (KCTD12), autism and schizophrenia (KCTD13), movement disorders (KCTD17), cancer (KCTD11), and obesity (KCTD15). Collective knowledge about these genes adds enhanced value, and critical insights into potential disease mechanisms have come from unexpected sources. Translation of basic research on the KCTD-related yeast protein Whi2 has revealed roles in nutrient signaling to mTORC1 (KCTD11) and an autophagy-lysosome pathway affecting mitochondria (KCTD7). Recent biochemical and structure-based studies (KCTD12, KCTD13, KCTD16) reveal mechanisms of regulating membrane channel activities through modulation of distinct GTPases. We explore how these seemingly varied functions may be disease related.

Comprehensive review and annotation of susceptibility SNPs associated with obesity-related traits

We aimed to summarize the results of genetic association studies for obesity and provide a comprehensive annotation of all susceptibility single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A total of 72 studies were summarized, resulting in 90,361 susceptibility SNPs (738 index SNPs and 89,623 linkage disequilibrium SNPs). Over 90% of the susceptibility SNPs are located in non-coding regions, and it is challenging to understand their functional significance. Therefore, we annotated these SNPs by using various functional databases. We identified 24,623 functional SNPs, including 4 nonsense SNPs, 479 missense SNPs, 399 untranslated region SNPs which might affect microRNA binding, 262 promoter and 5,492 enhancer SNPs which might affect transcription factor binding, 7 splicing sites, 76 SNPs which might affect gene methylation levels, 1,839 SNPs under natural selection and 17,351 SNPs which might modify histone binding. Expression quantitative trait loci analyses for functional SNPs identified 98 target genes, including 69 protein coding genes, 27 long non-coding RNAs and 3 processed transcripts. The percentage of protein coding genes that could be correlated with obesity-related pathways directly or through gene-gene interaction is 75.36 (52/69). Our results may serve as an encyclopaedia of obesity susceptibility SNPs and offer guide for functional experiments.

Genes regulated by potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 15 (Kctd15) in the developing neural crest

Neural crest (NC) development is controlled precisely by a regulatory network with multiple signaling pathways and the involvement of many genes. The integration and coordination of these factors are still incompletely understood. Overexpression of Wnt3a and the BMP antagonist Chordin in animal cap cells from Xenopus blastulae induces a large number of NC specific genes. We previously suggested that Potassium Channel Tetramerization Domain containing 15 (Kctd15) regulates NC formation by affecting Wnt signaling and the activity of transcription factor AP-2. In order to advance understanding of the function of Kctd15 during NC development, we performed DNA microarray assays in explants injected with Wnt3a and Chordin, and identified genes that are affected by Kctd15 overexpression. Among the many genes identified, we chose Duf domain containing protein 1 (ddcp1), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor a (pdgfra), Complement factor properdin (cfp), Zinc Finger SWIM-Type Containing 5 (zswim5), and complement component 3 (C3) to examine their expression by whole mount in situ hybridization. Our work points to a possible role for Kctd15 in the regulation of NC formation and other steps in embryonic development.

Epigenetic programming of Dnmt3a mediated by AP2α is required for granting preadipocyte the ability to differentiate

Adipogenesis has an important role in regulating energy homeostasis in mammals. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes have been widely used as an in vitro model for analyzing the molecular mechanism of adipogenesis. Previous reports indicated that the stage of contact inhibition (CI), through which the proliferating cells exit from the cell cycle, was required for granting preadipocyte the ability to differentiate. While this kind of the granting mechanism remains elusive. In the present study, we showed that DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferase 3a (Dnmt3a) was upregulated at both the mRNA and protein level during the CI stage, and resulted in increasing promoter methylation of adipogenic genes. We further identified that the expression of Activator protein 2α (AP2α), a member of the transcription factor activator protein 2 (AP2) family, was highly correlated with the expression of Dnmt3a during the CI stage. In addition, we showed that AP2α transcriptionally upregulated Dnmt3a by directly binding to its proximal promoter region. Importantly, treatment of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with AP2α-specific siRNAs inhibited the preadipocyte differentiation in a stage-dependent manner, supporting the conclusion that AP2α has an important role during the CI stage. Furthermore, overexpression of Dnmt3a partially rescued the impairment of adipogenesis induced by AP2α knockdown. Collectively, our findings reveal that AP2α is an essential regulator for granting preadipocyte the ability to differentiate through the upregulation of Dnmt3a expression during the CI stage.

Suv39h1 mediates AP-2α-dependent inhibition of C/EBPα expression during adipogenesis

Previous studies have shown that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) plays a very important role during adipocyte terminal differentiation and that AP-2α (activator protein 2α) acts as a repressor to delay the expression of C/EBPα. However, the mechanisms by which AP-2α prevents the expression of C/EBPα are not fully understood. Here, we present evidence that Suv39h1, a histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9)-specific trimethyltransferase, and G9a, a euchromatic methyltransferase, both interact with AP-2α and enhance AP-2α-mediated transcriptional repression of C/EBPα. Interestingly, we discovered that G9a mediates dimethylation of H3K9, thus providing the substrate, which is methylated by Suv39h1, to H3K9me3 on the C/EBPα promoter. The expression level of AP-2α was consistent with enrichment of H3K9me2 and H3K9me3 on the C/EBPα promoter in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Knockdown of Suv39h markedly increased C/EBPα expression and promoted adipogenesis. Conversely, ectopic expression of Suv39h1 delayed C/EBPα expression and impaired the accumulation of triglyceride, while simultaneous knockdown of AP-2α or G9a partially rescued this process. These findings indicate that Suv39h1 enhances AP-2α-mediated transcriptional repression of C/EBPα in an epigenetic manner and further inhibits adipocyte differentiation.

RNF20 promotes the polyubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation of AP-2α protein

Transcription factor activator protein 2α (AP-2α) is a negative regulator of adipogenesis by repressing the transcription of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBPα) gene. During adipogenesis, AP-2α is degraded, leading to transcriptional up-regulation of C/EBPα. However, the mechanism for AP-2α degradation is not clear. Here, using immunoprecipitation assay and mass spectrometry, we identified ring finger protein 20 (RNF20) as an AP-2α-interacting protein in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. RNF20 has been proved to be an E3 ubiquitin ligase for both histone H2B and tumor suppressor ErbB3-binding protein 1 (Ebp1). In this study, we demonstrated that RNF20 co-localized and interacted with AP-2α, and promoted its polyubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation. Over-expression of RNF20 inhibited the activity of AP-2α and rescued the C/EBPα expression which was inhibited by AP-2α. These results suggested that RNF20 may play roles in adipocyte differentiation by stimulating ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent degradation of AP-2α.

Inhibition of neural crest formation by Kctd15 involves regulation of transcription factor AP-2

The neural crest develops in vertebrate embryos within a discrete domain at the neural plate boundary and eventually gives rise to a migrating population of cells that differentiate into a multitude of derivatives. We have shown that the broad-complex, tramtrack and bric a brac (BTB) domain-containing factor potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 15 (Kctd15) inhibits neural crest formation, and we proposed that its function is to delimit the neural crest domain. Here we report that Kctd15 is a highly effective inhibitor of transcription factor activating enhancer binding protein 2 (AP-2) in zebrafish embryos and in human cells; AP-2 is known to be critical for several steps of neural crest development. Kctd15 interacts with AP-2α but does not interfere with its nuclear localization or binding to cognate sites in the genome. Kctd15 binds specifically to the activation domain of AP-2α and efficiently inhibits transcriptional activation by a hybrid protein composed of the regulatory protein Gal4 DNA binding and AP-2α activation domains. Mutation of one proline residue in the activation domain to an alanine (P59A) yields a protein that is highly active but largely insensitive to Kctd15. These results indicate that Kctd15 acts in the embryo at least in part by specifically binding to the activation domain of AP-2α, thereby blocking the function of this critical factor in the neural crest induction hierarchy.

Adipogenesis: from stem cell to adipocyte

Excessive caloric intake without a rise in energy expenditure promotes adipocyte hyperplasia and adiposity. The rise in adipocyte number is triggered by signaling factors that induce conversion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to preadipocytes that differentiate into adipocytes. MSCs, which are recruited from the vascular stroma of adipose tissue, provide an unlimited supply of adipocyte precursors. Members of the BMP and Wnt families are key mediators of stem cell commitment to produce preadipocytes. Following commitment, exposure of growth-arrested preadipocytes to differentiation inducers [insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), glucocorticoid, and cyclic AMP (cAMP)] triggers DNA replication and reentry into the cell cycle (mitotic clonal expansion). Mitotic clonal expansion involves a transcription factor cascade, followed by the expression of adipocyte genes. Critical to these events are phosphorylations of the transcription factor CCATT enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) by MAP kinase and GSK3β to produce a conformational change that gives rise to DNA-binding activity. "Activated" C/EBPβ then triggers transcription of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and C/EBPα, which in turn coordinately activate genes whose expression produces the adipocyte phenotype.

Alternative TFAP2A isoforms have distinct activities in breast cancer

Introduction

AP-2α is a transcription factor implicated in the regulation of differentiation and proliferation in certain tissues, including the mammary gland. In breast tumours, continued expression of AP-2α has been correlated with a better prognosis, but this is hard to reconcile with a reported role in the upregulation of the ERBB2 oncogene. The existence of TFAP2A isoforms, deriving from alternative first exons and differing in their N-terminal sequence, has been described in some mammals, but their relative abundance and activity has not been investigated in the human breast.

Methods

Expression levels of four TFAP2A isoforms were assayed at the level of RNA and protein (via the generation of isoform-specific antibodies) in a panel of breast tumour cell lines and in tissue from normal breast and primary tumour samples. Expression constructs for each isoform were used in reporter assays with synthetic and natural promoters (cyclin D3 and ERBB2) to compare the activation and repression activity of the isoforms.

Results

We demonstrate that the two isoforms AP-2α 1b and AP-2α 1c, in addition to the originally cloned, AP-2α 1a, are conserved throughout evolution in vertebrates. Moreover, we show that isoform 1c in particular is expressed at levels at least on a par with the 1a isoform in breast epithelial lines and tissues and may be more highly expressed in tamoxifen resistant tumours. The isoforms share a similar transactivation mechanism involving the recruitment of the adaptors CITED2 or 4 and the transactivators p300 or CBP. However, isoform 1b and 1c are stronger transactivators of the ERBB2 promoter than isoform 1a. In contrast, AP-2α 1a is the only isoform able to act as a repressor, an activity that requires an intact sumoylation motif present within the N-terminus of the protein, and which the other two isoforms lack.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that TFAP2A isoforms may be differentially regulated during breast tumourigenesis and this, coupled with differences in their transcriptional activity, may impact on tumour responses to tamoxifen therapy. These data also have implications for the interpretation of tumour studies that seek to correlate outcomes with TFAP2A expression level.

Involvement of cytoskeleton-associated proteins in the commitment of C3H10T1/2 pluripotent stem cells to adipocyte lineage induced by BMP2/4

The developmental pathway that gives rise to mature adipocytes involves two distinct stages: commitment and terminal differentiation. Although the important proteins/factors contributing to terminal adipocyte differentiation have been well defined, the proteins/factors in the commitment of mesenchymal stem cells to the adipocyte lineage cells have not. In this study, we applied proteomics analysis profiling to characterize differences between uncommitted C3H10T1/2 pluripotent stem cells and those that have been committed to the adipocyte lineage by BMP4 or BMP2 with the goal to identify such proteins/factors and to understand the molecular mechanisms that govern the earliest stages of adipocyte lineage commitment. Eight proteins were found to be up-regulated by BMP2, and 27 proteins were up-regulated by BMP4, whereas five unique proteins were up-regulated at least 10-fold by both BMP2/4, including three cytoskeleton-associated proteins (i.e. lysyl oxidase (LOX), translationally controlled tumor protein 1 (TPT1), and αB-crystallin). Western blotting further confirmed the induction of the expression of these cytoskeleton-associated proteins in the committed C3H10T1/2 induced by BMP2/4. Importantly, knockdown of LOX expression totally prevented the commitment, whereas knockdown of TPT1 and αB-crystallin expression partially inhibited the commitment. Several published reports suggest that cell shape can influence the differentiation of partially committed precursors of adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. We observed a dramatic change of cell shape during the commitment process, and we showed that knockdown of these cytoskeleton-associated proteins prevented the cell shape change and restored F-actin organization into stress fibers and inhibited the commitment to the adipocyte lineage. Our studies indicate that these differentially expressed cytoskeleton-associate proteins might determine the fate of mesenchymal stem cells to commit to the adipocyte lineage through cell shape regulation.

The transcription factor TFAP2B is associated with insulin resistance and adiposity in healthy adolescents

Insulin resistance and central adiposity are strong risk indicators for type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. An important role for adipose tissue in the etiology and progression of these conditions has recently become more evident. A transcription factor, TFAP2B, has been shown to participate in the regulation of adipocyte metabolism, by facilitating glucose uptake and lipid accumulation, while simultaneously reducing insulin sensitivity, and recently a direct function for TFAP2B as an inhibitor of adiponectin expression was observed. In this study, we have investigated how insulin resistance, plasma adiponectin, and central adiposity, in a normal population of adolescents, are affected by genetic variability in TFAP2B. Our results show that both insulin sensitivity, as measured from levels of fasting glucose and insulin, and central adiposity, estimated by subscapular skinfold thickness, were significantly associated to genetic variability in TFAP2B. This association was restricted to males only, where carriers of the 4-repeat allele of intron 2 had higher insulin sensitivity and lower subscapular skinfold thickness. Levels of adiponectin did not show any association to the TFAP2B polymorphism, but was negatively correlated to central adiposity in females. These results suggest that reduction of TFAP2B expression could have a protective effect against future risk of complications associated with decreased insulin sensitivity and central adiposity, such as type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Protein kinase Cdelta stimulates proteasome-dependent degradation of C/EBPalpha during apoptosis induction of leukemic cells

Background

The precise regulation and maintenance of balance between cell proliferation, differentiation and death in metazoan are critical for tissue homeostasis. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) has been implicated as a key regulator of differentiation and proliferation in various cell types. Here we investigated the potential dynamic change and role of C/EBPα protein during apoptosis induction.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Upon onset of apoptosis induced by various kinds of inducers such as NSC606985, etoposide and others, C/EBPα expression presented a profound down-regulation in leukemic cell lines and primary cells via induction of protein degradation and inhibition of transcription, as assessed respectively by cycloheximide inhibition test, real-time quantitative RT-PCR and luciferase reporter assay. Applying chemical inhibition, forced expression of dominant negative mutant and catalytic fragment (CF) of protein kinase Cdelta (PKCδ), which was proteolytically activated during apoptosis induction tested, we showed that the active PKCδ protein contributed to the increased degradation of C/EBPα protein. Three specific proteasome inhibitors antagonized C/EBPα degradation during apoptosis induction. More importantly, ectopic expression of PKCδ-CF stimulated the ubiquitination of C/EBPα protein, while the chemical inhibition of PKCδ action significantly inhibited the enhanced ubiquitination of C/EBPα protein under NSC606985 treatment. Additionally, silencing of C/EBPα expression by small interfering RNAs enhanced, while inducible expression of C/EBPα inhibited NSC606985/etoposide-induced apoptosis in leukemic cells.

Conclusions/Significance

These observations indicate that the activation of PKCδ upon apoptosis results in the increased proteasome-dependent degradation of C/EBPα, which partially contributes to PKCδ-mediated apoptosis.

Transcription factor activating protein-2beta: a positive regulator of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene expression

We previously reported an association between the activating protein (AP)-2beta transcription factor gene and type 2 diabetes. This gene is preferentially expressed in adipose tissue, and subjects with a disease-susceptible allele of AP-2beta showed stronger AP-2beta expression in adipose tissue than those without the susceptible allele. Furthermore, overexpression of AP-2beta leads to lipid accumulation by enhancing glucose transport and inducing insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In this study, we found that overexpression of AP-2beta in 3T3-L1 adipocytes accelerated the promoter activity of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and subsequently increased both mRNA and protein expression and protein secretion. Furthermore, knockdown of endogenous AP-2beta by RNA interference reduced the mRNA and the protein expression of MCP-1. EMSAs and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed specific binding of AP-2beta to MCP-1 promoter regions, in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, site-directed mutagenesis of the AP-2 binding site located at -137 to -129 relative to the transcription start site markedly diminished MCP-1 promoter activity, whereas other putative AP-2 binding sites did not. Our results clearly show that AP-2beta directly enhanced MCP-1 secretion by binding to its promoter. Thus, we propose that AP-2beta positively regulates MCP-1 expression; subsequently contributes to the infiltration of macrophages to adipose tissue; and leads to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Temporal and functional profile of the transcriptional regulatory network in the early regenerative response to partial hepatectomy in the rat

Background

The goal of these studies was to characterize the transcriptional network regulating changes in gene expression in the remnant liver of the rat after 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) during the early phase response including the transition of hepatocytes from the quiescent (G₀) state and the onset of the G₁ phase of the cell cycle.

Results

The transcriptome of remnant livers was monitored at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after PHx using cDNA microarrays. Differentially regulated genes were grouped into six clusters according their temporal expression profiles. Promoter regions of genes in these clusters were examined for shared transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) by comparing enrichment of each TFBS relative to a reference set using the Promoter Analysis and Interaction Network Toolset (PAINT).

Analysis of the gene expression time series data using ANOVA resulted in a total of 309 genes significantly up- or down-regulated at any of the four time points at a 20% FDR threshold. Sham-operated animals showed no significant differential expression. A subset of the differentially expressed genes was validated using quantitative RT-PCR. Distinct sets of TFBS could be identified that were significantly enriched in each one of the different temporal gene expression clusters. These included binding sites for transcription factors that had previously been recognized as contributing to the onset of regeneration, including NF-κB, C/EBP, HNF-1, CREB, as well as factors, such as ATF, AP-2, LEF-1, GATA and PAX-6, that had not yet been recognized to be involved in this process. A subset of these candidate TFBS was validated by measuring activation of corresponding transcription factors (HNF-1, NK-κB, CREB, C/EBP-α and C/EBP-β, GATA-1, AP-2, PAX-6) in nuclear extracts from the remnant livers.

Conclusion

This analysis revealed multiple candidate transcription factors activated in the remnant livers, some known to be involved in the early phase of liver regeneration, and several not previously identified. The study describes the predominant temporal and functional elements to which these factors contribute and demonstrates the potential of this novel approach to define the functional correlates of the transcriptional regulatory network driving the early response to partial hepatectomy.

Chromatin immunoprecipitation on microarray analysis of Smad2/3 binding sites reveals roles of ETS1 and TFAP2A in transforming growth factor beta signaling

The Smad2 and Smad3 (Smad2/3) proteins are principally involved in the transmission of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling from the plasma membrane to the nucleus. Many transcription factors have been shown to cooperate with the Smad2/3 proteins in regulating the transcription of target genes, enabling appropriate gene expression by cells. Here we identified 1,787 Smad2/3 binding sites in the promoter regions of over 25,500 genes by chromatin immunoprecipitation on microarray in HaCaT keratinocytes. Binding elements for the v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog (ETS) and transcription factor AP-2 (TFAP2) were significantly enriched in Smad2/3 binding sites, and knockdown of either ETS1 or TFAP2A resulted in overall alteration of TGF-beta-induced transcription, suggesting general roles for ETS1 and TFAP2A in the transcription induced by TGF-beta-Smad pathways. We identified novel Smad binding sites in the CDKN1A gene where Smad2/3 binding was regulated by ETS1 and TFAP2A. Moreover, we showed that small interfering RNAs for ETS1 and TFAP2A affected TGF-beta-induced cytostasis. We also analyzed Smad2- or Smad3-specific target genes regulated by TGF-beta and found that their specificity did not appear to be solely determined by the amounts of the Smad2/3 proteins bound to the promoters. These findings reveal novel regulatory mechanisms of Smad2/3-induced transcription and provide an essential resource for understanding their roles.

AP-2 factors act in concert with Notch to orchestrate terminal differentiation in skin epidermis

The mechanisms by which mammalian epidermal stem cells cease to proliferate and embark upon terminal differentiation are still poorly understood. By conditionally ablating two highly expressed transcription factors, AP-2α and AP-2γ, we unmasked functional redundancies and discovered an essential role for AP-2s in the process. In vivo and in vitro, AP-2 deficiency is accompanied by surprisingly minimal changes in basal gene expression but severely perturbed terminal differentiation and suppression of additional transcription factors and structural genes involved. In dissecting the underlying molecular pathways, we uncover parallel pathways involving AP-2 and Notch signaling, which converge to govern CCAAT/enhancer binding protein genes and orchestrate the transition from basal proliferation to suprabasal differentiation. Finally, we extend the striking similarities in compromising either Notch signaling or AP-2α/AP-2γ in developing skin to that in postnatal skin, where all hair follicles and sebaceous gland differentiation are also repressed and overt signs of premalignant conversion emerge.

Hypomethylation of WNT5A, CRIP1 and S100P in prostate cancer

Oligoarray analysis of a matched pair of prostate cancer and normal cell lines derived from the same radical prostatectomy specimen identified 113 candidate hypomethylated genes that were overexpressed in the cancer cells and contained CpG islands. Hypomethylation of wingless-related MMTV integration site 5A (WNT5A), S100 calcium-binding protein P (S100P) and cysteine-rich protein 1(CRIP1) was confirmed in the cancer cells by bisulfite sequencing. Treatment of the corresponding normal prostate epithelial cells 1542-NPTX with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) induced higher levels of mRNA expression and partial loss of methylation on these genes. Primary prostate cancers were tested using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. WNT5A was hypomethylated in 11/17 (65%) tumors, S100P in 8/16 (50%) and CRIP1 in 13/20 (65%). Bisulfite sequencing of a section of the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of WNT5A revealed that three CpG sites (15, 24 and 35) were consistently methylated (93%) in the normal cell line and normal tissues, but not in the prostate cancer cell line and eight primary prostate cancers. Multiple putative binding sites for the transcription factors SP1 and AP-2 were found adjacent to CpG sites 15 and 24. A putative c-Myb binding site was located within the CpG site 35. Anti-c-Myb antibody co-precipitation with WNT5A was methylation-sensitive in 1542-NPTX cells. It is likely that an epigenetic mechanism regulates WNT5A expression in prostate cancer.

Upstream stimulatory factors regulate the C/EBP alpha gene during differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

During adipocyte differentiation, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) functions as a pleiotropic transcriptional activator of numerous adipocyte genes. The promoter of the C/EBPalpha gene has an E-box upstream of C/EBP binding site. Deletion or mutation of the E-box decreases promoter activity, suggesting that the E-box participates in the regulation of C/EBPalpha expression. Protein binding to the E-box during the adipocyte differentiation is increased as indicated by EMSA and UV cross-linking. Purification of the E-box binding proteins from differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, showed that USF and AP-4 are associated with the E-box. Supershift analysis showed that USF1 and USF2 bind to this element as heterodimers, whereas the addition of anti-AP-4 antibody enhanced the binding complex, suggesting that AP-4 negatively regulates the promoter activity. The expression of AP-4 is reciprocally regulated with USF-1 during adipocyte differentiation. These findings suggest that USF-1 and 2 play roles in C/EBPalpha expression, whereas the AP-4 represses it.

Transcription factor activating enhancer-binding protein-2beta. A negative regulator of adiponectin gene expression

We previously reported the association between the activating enhancer-binding protein-2beta (AP-2beta) transcription factor gene and type 2 diabetes. This gene is preferentially expressed in adipose tissue, and subjects with the disease-susceptible allele of AP-2beta showed stronger expression in adipose tissue than those without the susceptible allele. Furthermore, overexpression of AP-2beta leads to lipid accumulation by enhancing glucose transport and inducing insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In this study we demonstrated that overexpression of AP-2beta in 3T3-L1 adipocytes decreased the expression and secretion of adiponectin and increased those of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Interestingly, the effects of AP-2beta on the expressions of adiponectin and IL-6 and the mechanisms by which AP-2beta modulated their expressions were different. We found that the promoter activity of adiponectin gene was inhibited by AP-2beta overexpression and enhanced by knockdown of endogenous AP-2beta, whereas IL-6 was unaffected. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed the existence of putative responsive elements for AP-2beta and NF-YA in human and mouse adiponectin promoter regions, and mutation of this AP-2beta binding site abolished the inhibitory effect of AP-2beta. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that AP-2beta and NF-YA competitively bind to the same region of the adiponectin promoter. Our results clearly demonstrated that AP-2beta directly inhibits adiponectin gene expression by displacing NF-YA and binding to its promoter. We conclude that AP-2beta might modulate the expression of adiponectin by directly inhibiting its transcriptional activity.

The transcription factor AP-2beta causes cell enlargement and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

We have reported the association of variations in the activating protein-2beta (AP-2beta) transcription factor gene with type 2 diabetes. This gene was preferentially expressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a differentiation stage-dependent manner, and preliminary experiments showed that subjects with the disease-susceptible allele showed stronger expression in adipose tissue than those without the susceptible allele. Thus, we overexpressed the AP-2beta gene in 3T3-L1 adipocytes to clarify whether AP-2beta might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes through dysregulation of adipocyte function. In cells overexpressing AP-2beta, cells increased in size by accumulation of triglycerides accompanied by enhanced glucose uptake. On the contrary, suppression of AP-2beta expression by small interfering RNA inhibited glucose uptake. Enhancement of glucose uptake by AP-2beta overexpression was attenuated by inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC) and atypical protein kinase Czeta/lambda (PKCzeta/lambda), but not by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor. Consistently, we found activation of PLC and atypical PKC, but not PI3-K, by AP-2beta expression. Furthermore, overexpression of PLCgamma enhanced glucose uptake, and this activation was inhibited by an atypical PKC inhibitor, suggesting that the enhanced glucose uptake may be mediated through PLC and atypical PKCzeta/lambda, but not PI3-K. Moreover, we observed the increased tyrosine phosphorylation of Grb2-associated binder-1 (Gab1) and its association with PLCgamma, indicating that Gab1 may be involved in AP-2beta-induced PLCgamma activation. Finally, AP-2beta overexpression was found to relate to the impaired insulin signaling. We propose that AP-2beta is a candidate gene for producing adipocyte hypertrophy and may relate to the abnormal characteristics of adipocytes observed in obesity.

Intronic polymorphisms within TFAP2B regulate transcriptional activity and affect adipocytokine gene expression in differentiated adipocytes

We have identified a gene encoding transcription factor activating enhancer binding protein-2beta (TFAP2B) as a candidate for conferring susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. Although we have also found that TFAP2B was preferentially expressed in adipose cells in a differentiation-dependent manner, the mechanisms by which the gene and gene polymorphisms contribute to conferring susceptibility to the disease have not yet been elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the polymorphisms within the TFAP2B gene on conferring susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. We identified that a 300-bp DNA fragment in intron 1 of TFAP2B had significant enhancer activity, and the variations of this region affected this enhancer activity in differentiated adipocytes. In an experiment using adenovirus vectors encoding TFAP2B, the expression of TNF-alpha gene was shown to be elevated in the TFAP2B overexpressing cells compared with those in control cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the expression of TFAP2B was increased in the adipose tissues of subjects with the disease-susceptibility allele, and the plasma levels of TNF-alpha and high sensitivity C-reactive peptide were significantly elevated in the patients with the disease-susceptibility allele. These results suggest that TFAP2B may contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes through regulation of adipocytokine gene expression, and that TFAP2B may be a promising target for treatment or prevention of this disease.

Adipose development: from stem cell to adipocyte

Cell culture models have been developed to study commitment and subsequent differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes. Bone morphogenetic protein 4 commits mesenchymal stem cells to the adipose lineage. Other factors, including Wnt signaling, cell density, and cell shape, play a role in lineage commitment. Following commitment to the adipose lineage, growth-arrested preadipocytes can differentiate to adipocytes by treatment with insulin-like growth factor 1, glucocorticoid and an agent that increases cAMP level. This process is characterized by a rapid and transient increase in CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) beta and synchronous re-entry into the cell cycle. Acquisition of DNA-binding by C/EBPbeta occurs after the transcription factor becomes phosphorylated. The cells enter a growth-arrested state and begin terminal differentiation. C/EBPalpha, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and adipocyte determination, and differentiation-dependent factor 1 coordinate the expression of genes that create and maintain the adipocyte phenotype.

Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 augments the transcriptional activity of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor signaling pathway

The Janus kinase (Jak)-Stat pathway plays an essential role in cytokine signaling. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) promotes granulopoiesis and granulocytic differentiation, and Stat3 is the principle Stat protein activated by G-CSF. Upon treatment with G-CSF, the interleukin-3-dependent cell line 32D clone 3(32Dcl3) differentiates into neutrophils, and 32Dcl3 cells expressing dominant-negative Stat3 (32Dcl3/DNStat3) proliferate in G-CSF without differentiation. Gene expression profile and quantitative PCR analysis of G-CSF-stimulated cell lines revealed that the expression of C/EBPalpha was up-regulated by the activation of Stat3. In addition, activated Stat3 bound to CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)alpha, leading to the enhancement of the transcription activity of C/EBPalpha. Conditional expression of C/EBPalpha in 32Dcl3/DNStat3 cells after G-CSF stimulation abolishes the G-CSF-dependent cell proliferation and induces granulocytic differentiation. Although granulocyte-specific genes, such as the G-CSF receptor, lysozyme M, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin precursor (NGAL) are regulated by Stat3, only NGAL was induced by the restoration of C/EBPalpha after stimulation with G-CSF in 32Dcl3/DNStat3 cells. These results show that one of the major roles of Stat3 in the G-CSF signaling pathway is to augment the function of C/EBPalpha, which is essential for myeloid differentiation. Additionally, cooperation of C/EBPalpha with other Stat3-activated proteins are required for the induction of some G-CSF responsive genes including lysozyme M and the G-CSF receptor.

Subcutaneous abdominal preadipocyte differentiation in vitro inversely correlates with central obesity

Expansion of adipose tissue mass results from increased number and size of adipocyte cells. We hypothesized that subcutaneous abdominal preadipocytes in obese individuals might have an intrinsically higher propensity to differentiate into adipocytes. Thus we investigated the relationship between obesity and the level of in vitro preadipocyte differentiation in Pima Indians. Subcutaneous abdominal stromal vascular fractions containing preadipocytes were cultured from 58 nondiabetic subjects [31 M/27 F, 30 +/- 6 yr, body fat 34 +/- 8% by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (means +/- SD)]. The average percentage of preadipocyte differentiation (PDIFF; cell count by microscopy) was 11 +/- 11% (range 0.2-51%). PDIFF correlated negatively with percent body fat (r = -0.35, P = 0.006) and waist circumference (r = -0.45, P = 0.0004). Multiple regression analysis indicated that waist circumference (P = 0.01), sex (P = 0.01), and percent body fat (P = 0.05) were significant determinants of PDIFF. Molecular characterization of predifferentiated cultured cells was performed by real-time PCR measurements of glucocorticoid receptor-alpha (GRalpha), insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma), enhancer-binding protein GATA-3, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha undifferentiated protein (CUP/AP-2alpha), and endothelial cell-specific marker 2 (ECSM2). The mRNA concentrations of GRalpha correlated with PDIFF (r = 0.29, P = 0.03), but the others did not (IGF-IR, r = 0.003, P = 1.0; PPARgamma, r = -0.1, P = 0.5; GATA-3, r = 0.02, P = 0.9; CUP/AP-2alpha, r = -0.2, P = 0.1; ECSM2, r = 0.04, P = 0.7). Contrary to our hypothesis, the results may indicate a blunted in vitro differentiation potential of preadipocytes in centrally obese individuals. The lower differentiation potential of preadipocytes in the obese subjects might be due, at least partly, to decreased glucocorticoid receptor expression.

Negative regulation of chondrocyte differentiation by transcription factor AP-2alpha

This study investigated the role of transcription factor AP-2alpha in chondrocyte differentiation in vitro. AP-2alpha mRNA declined during differentiation, and overexpression of AP-2alpha inhibited differentiation. The results demonstrated that AP-2alpha plays a negative role in chondrocyte differentiation.

INTRODUCTION

Transcription factor AP-2alpha has been detected in growth plate and articular chondrocytes and has been shown to regulate cartilage matrix gene expression in vitro. However, the precise functional role of AP-2alpha in chondrocyte differentiation is not known. In this study, we assessed the expression and the function of AP-2alpha in chondrocyte differentiation of ATDC5 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chondrocyte differentiation of ATDC5 cells was induced with insulin or transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Proteoglycan production was assessed by alcian blue staining, and expression levels of chondrocyte marker genes and AP-2 gene family were determined by quantitative real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Overexpression of AP-2alpha in ATDC5 cells was accomplished by retroviral infection. Infected cells were selected for G418 resistance and pooled for further analysis.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Quantitative real time RT-PCR analysis showed that among the four members of the AP-2 gene family, AP-2alpha mRNA was the most abundant. AP-2alpha mRNA levels progressively declined during the differentiation induced by either insulin or TGF-beta treatment. Retroviral expression of AP-2alpha in ATDC5 cells prevented the formation of cartilage nodules, suppressed the proteoglycan production, and inhibited the expression of type II collagen, aggrecan, and type X collagen. Expression profile analysis of key transcription factors involved in chondrogenesis showed that overexpression of AP-2alpha maintained the expression of Sox9 but suppressed the expression of SoxS and Sox6. Taken together, we provide, for the first time, molecular and cellular evidence suggesting that AP-2alpha is a negative regulator of chondrocyte differentiation.

Comparative studies of resistin expression and phylogenomics in human and mouse

Resistin is a newly identified adipocytokine that has been proposed to be a link between obesity and type 2 diabetes based on animal studies. However, the role of resistin in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance associated with obesity in humans remains unclear. We comparatively and quantitatively studied the tissue distributions of resistin mRNA between human and mouse. The expression level of resistin mRNA in human adipose tissue is extremely low but detectable by real-time PCR and is about 1/250 of that in the mouse. Remarkably, resistin mRNA is abundant in human primary acute leukemia cells and myeloid cell lines U937 and HL60, but not in the Raw264 mouse myeloid cell line. Resistin expression in U937 cells was not affected by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or by ciglitazone, a PPARgamma ligand. Phylogenomics revealed that the human resistin gene is the ortholog of its murine counterpart and is located in a region of chromosome 19p13.3, which is syntenic to mouse chromosome 8A1. In addition to the resistin-like molecule (RELM) sequences already reported, bioinformatics analysis disclosed another RELM sequence in the vicinity of RELMbeta on human chromosome 3q13.1, but this sequence is unlikely to encode an expressed gene. Therefore, only two RELMs, resistin and RELMbeta, exist in humans, instead of the three RELMs, resistin, RELMalpha, and RELMbeta, that exist in mice. This finding provides a possible answer to the question of why only two RELMs have been cloned in humans and suggests that the RELM family is not well conserved in evolution and may function differently between species. Therefore, caution should be exercised in interpreting resistin as a link between obesity and insulin resistance in humans. The high expression of resistin in human leukemia cells suggests a hitherto unidentified biological function of resistin in leukocytes.

Activation of MEK/ERK signaling promotes adipogenesis by enhancing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma ) and C/EBPalpha gene expression during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

We demonstrate that exposure of post-confluent 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to insulin, isobutylmethylxanthine (MIX), dexamethasone (DEX), and fetal bovine serum induces a rapid but transient activation of MEK1 as indicated by extensive phosphorylation of ERK1 and ERK2 during the initial 2 h of adipogenesis. Inhibition of this activity by treating the cells with a MEK1-specific inhibitor (U0126 or PD98059) prior to the induction of differentiation significantly attenuated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) alpha, perilipin, and adipocyte-specific fatty acid-binding protein (aP2). Treating the preadipocytes with troglitazone, a potent PPARgamma ligand, could circumvent the inhibition of adipogenic gene expression by U0126. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), in the presence of dexamethasone, isobutylmethylxanthine, and insulin, induces a prolonged activation of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway, which lasts for at least 12 h post-induction, and this activity is less sensitive to the MEK inhibitors. Consequently, preadipocytes treated with U0126 in the presence of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) express normal post-induction levels of MEK activity, and, in so doing, are capable of undergoing adipogenesis. We further show that activation of MEK1 significantly enhances the transactivation of the C/EBPalpha minimal promoter during the early phase of the differentiation process. Our results suggest that activation of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway during the initial 12 h of adipogenesis enhances the activity of factors that regulate both C/EBPalpha and PPARgamma expression.

Transcription factor AP-2 interacts with the SUMO-conjugating enzyme UBC9 and is sumolated in vivo

The members of the AP-2 family of transcription factors are developmentally regulated and have distinct yet overlapping functions in the regulation of many genes governing growth and differentiation. All AP-2 factors appear to be capable of binding very similar DNA recognition sites, and the determinants of functional specificity remain to be elucidated. AP-2 transcription factors have been shown to act both as transcriptional activators and repressors in a promoter-specific manner. Although several mediators of their activation function have been suggested, few mechanisms for the repression or down-regulation of transactivation have been described. In a two-hybrid screen for proteins interacting with AP-2 factors, we have identified the UBC9 gene that encodes the E2 (ubiquitin carrier protein)-conjugating enzyme for the small ubiquitin-like modifier, SUMO. The interaction domain resides in the C-terminal half of AP-2, which contains the conserved DNA binding and dimerization domains. We have detected sumolated forms of endogenous AP-2 in mammalian cells and have further mapped the in vivo sumolation site to conserved lysine 10. Transient transfection studies indicate that sumolation of AP-2 decreases its transcription activation potential, and we discuss the possible mechanisms for the observed suppression of AP-2 transactivation.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins: structure, function and regulation

CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) are a family of transcription factors that all contain a highly conserved, basic-leucine zipper domain at the C-terminus that is involved in dimerization and DNA binding. At least six members of the family have been isolated and characterized to date (C/EBP alpha[bond]C/EBP zeta), with further diversity produced by the generation of different sized polypeptides, predominantly by differential use of translation initiation sites, and extensive protein-protein interactions both within the family and with other transcription factors. The function of the C/EBPs has recently been investigated by a number of approaches, including studies on mice that lack specific members, and has identified pivotal roles of the family in the control of cellular proliferation and differentiation, metabolism, inflammation and numerous other responses, particularly in hepatocytes, adipocytes and haematopoietic cells. The expression of the C/EBPs is regulated at multiple levels during several physiological and pathophysiological conditions through the action of a range of factors, including hormones, mitogens, cytokines, nutrients and certain toxins. The mechanisms through which the C/EBP members are regulated during such conditions have also been the focus of several recent studies and have revealed an immense complexity with the potential existence of cell/tissue- and species-specific differences. This review deals with the structure, biological function and the regulation of the C/EBP family.

Calpain function in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Calpain is a calcium-activated non lysosomal neutral thiol protease (EC 3.4.22.17) present in a wide variety of eukaryotic cells. Calpain is usually present as an inactive form and is activated by calcium ions and phospholipids. The ability of calpain to alter, by limited proteolysis, the activity or function of numerous cytoskeletal proteins, enzymes, and receptors suggests its involvement in various Ca2+-regulated cellular functions. In this review we focus on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, such as the myoblastic, osteoblastic, chondrocytic, and adipocytic lineages, and the biological significance of calpain in its regulation. Calpain has been implicated in the differentiation of myoblasts through the turnover of glycoproteins. In preosteoblastic cells, calpain is important in mediating the proliferative and prodifferentiating effects of parathyroid hormone and bone morphogenetic proteins. For the differentiation of chondrocytes, calpain is involved in cartilage-matrix mineralization. Furthermore, calpain is required for the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes, involving the transcriptional activation of the C/EBP alpha gene and the degradation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 during the mitotic clonal expansion phase of adipocyte differentiation. We summarize these regulatory effects of calpain on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and speculate on the function and location of calpain in the differentiation processes.

Olf-1/early B cell factor is a regulator of glut4 gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

A negative regulatory element in the 5'-flanking region of the murine glut4 gene mediates chronic insulin- and cAMP-induced repression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Previous work demonstrated that members of the nuclear factor 1 (NF1) family of transcription factors and an unidentified factor bind to and mediate repression from this regulatory element. By using a yeast one-hybrid screen, Olf-1/Early B cell factor (O/E-1) was isolated as a candidate for this unidentified factor. A protein complex from 3T3-L1 adipocyte nuclear extract that bound the negative regulatory element was recognized by O/E-specific antiserum, and binding activity was competed effectively by distinct O/E-binding sequences. O/E binding activity was also detected in nuclear extracts from insulin-responsive, GLUT4-expressing tissues including adipose, skeletal muscle, and heart. Mutations within the negative regulatory element that abolish binding of O/E proteins concomitantly blocked insulin-induced repression in reporter gene assays. These results suggest that one or more members of the O/E transcription factor family function as important regulators of glut4 gene expression and therefore may play a heretofore unanticipated role in glucose homeostasis and insulin signaling.

Downregulation of repressive CUP/AP-2 isoforms during adipocyte differentiation

Activation of transcription of the C/EBPalpha (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha) gene is a critical event in the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes. The kinetics of this process parallels a decline of AP-2alpha protein (also referred to as CUP, C/EBP undifferentiated protein) and decreased binding of CUP/AP-2alpha to the C/EBPalpha promoter. Mutation of the CUP/AP-2 binding sites in the C/EBPalpha promoter results in increased C/EBPalpha expression. Based on these findings, it appears that decline in AP-2alpha expression is an important early event in the adipocyte differentiation program. In the studies presented here, we identify three mRNAs that encode the repressive CUP/AP-2alpha isoforms expressed in undifferentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We demonstrate that the kinetics of the decline of these isoforms' expression over the course of differentiation parallels both the decrease in CUP/AP-2alpha DNA binding activity and the increase in C/EBPalpha protein observed in previous studies.

Murine cysteine dioxygenase gene: structural organization, tissue-specific expression and promoter identification

The murine gene encoding cysteine dioxygenase (CDO; EC 1.13.11.20), a key enzyme of L-cysteine metabolism, was isolated and characterized, and the proximal promoter was identified. A bacterial artificial chromosome mouse library was screened and a single clone containing the entire CDO gene was isolated. The murine CDO gene contains five exons and spans about 15 kb. The open reading frame is encoded within all five exons. All intron/exon splice junctions and all intron sizes are conserved with the rat CDO gene and are very similar to those of the human CDO gene. The primary transcriptional initiation site is located 213 bp upstream of the initiation ATG codon. The nucleotide sequence of the 5'-promoter region is highly conserved between the mouse and rat genes and contains a TATA-box-like sequence and GC boxes. A variety of consensus cis-acting elements were also identified in the 5'-flanking region. These included HNF-3 beta, HFH-1, HFH-2, HFH-3, C/EBP, and C/EBP beta, all of which are consistent with the tissue-specific expression profiles of the gene. Gene reporter studies of the CDO 5'-region indicated the presence of an active promoter within the first 223 bp upstream of the transcriptional initiation site and the possible presence of repressor elements upstream of bp -223. Northern blot analyses indicated that the CDO gene displays tissue-specific expression, with the highest mRNA level present in liver and with detectable levels found in kidney, lung, brain and small intestine. Western blot analyses indicated that CDO protein levels parallel mRNA levels. These results are consistent with the known function of CDO in whole-body cysteine homeostasis.

Developmental regulation and overexpression of the transcription factor AP-2, a potential regulator of the timing of Schwann cell generation

There is now evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies that the rate of Schwann cell generation is regulated by the balance of two opposing signals, beta neuregulins and endothelins. The beta neuregulins promote the development of precursors to Schwann cells whereas endothelins retard it through an action on endothelin-B receptors. The present work has shown additional controls of this transition, and implicates AP-2 transcription factors, in particular AP-2 alpha, as negative regulators of Schwann cell generation. We found that both AP-2 alpha and AP-2 gamma are present in early embryonic nerves, whereas AP-2 beta was not. Isoform-specific analysis of AP-2 alpha showed that isoform 3 was most abundant with isoforms 1 and 2 present in lesser amounts; isoform 4 was absent. Maximal AP-2 alpha and AP-2 gamma mRNA expression occurred at embryonic day (E) 12/13 in the mouse and at E14/15 in the rat, which correlates with the presence of Schwann cell precursors in the nerve. In both rats and in mice, in vivo and in vitro, downregulation of AP-2 alpha mRNA and protein coincided with one of the main steps in Schwann cell development, the precursor-Schwann cell transition. Moreover, Schwann cell generation was delayed if this downregulation was prevented by enforced expression of AP-2 alpha in precursors. These studies suggest that AP-2 is involved in the control of the timing of Schwann cell development.

Constitutive activation of transcription factor AP-2 is associated with decreased MnSOD expression in transformed human lung fibroblasts

Activator protein-2 (AP-2) is a transcription factor with transactivating and transrepressing potential in different promoter contexts. AP-2 contains seven cysteines, and its in vitro DNA binding activity is redox-sensitive. Superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2), which encodes the antioxidant enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), is a putative tumor suppressor gene whose loss of expression is associated with the malignant phenotype. SOD2 promoter mutations that generate new AP-2 sites are associated with loss of MnSOD expression in cancer cells. In the current study, we have identified an inverse expression pattern between AP-2 and MnSOD in normal versus transformed human cells. MRC5 cells are a normal human lung fibroblast cell strain that is mortal and senesces after a certain number of passages in vitro. MRC5-VA is a simian virus transformed variant of MRC5. We determined the levels of expression of MnSOD and AP-2 in these two cell types at the levels of mRNA, protein, and activity. Our results indicated that MnSOD expression was significantly decreased in MRC5-VA cells compared with MRC5 cells at each level of investigation, whereas AP-2 showed an opposing pattern of expression and DNA binding activity. These results suggest that AP-2 may participate in the mechanism(s) underlying decreased expression of SOD2 in transformed cells.

Transcription factor AP-2 functions as a repressor that contributes to the liver-specific expression of serum amyloid A1 gene

We previously identified transcription factor AP-2 as the nuclear factor that interacts with the tissue-specific repressor element in the rat serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) promoter. In this report, we provide evidence for a second AP-2-binding site and show that both AP-2 sites participate in mediating the transcription repression of SAA1 promoter. This proximal AP-2 site overlaps with the NFkappaB-binding site known to be essential for SAA1 promoter activity. Protein binding competition experiments demonstrated that AP-2 and NFkappaB binding to these overlapping sites were mutually exclusive. Furthermore, the addition of AP-2 easily displaced prebound NFkappaB, whereas NFkappaB could not displace AP-2. These results thus suggest that one mechanism by which AP-2 negatively regulates SAA1 promoter activity may be by antagonizing the function of NFkappaB. Consistent with a repression function, transient expression of AP-2 in HepG2 cells inhibited conditioned medium-induced SAA1 promoter activation. This inhibition was dependent on functional AP-2-binding sites, since mutation of AP-2-binding sites abolished inhibitory effects of AP-2 in HepG2 cells as well as resulted in derepression of the SAA1 promoter in HeLa cells. In addition to SAA1, we found that several other liver gene promoters also contain putative AP-2-binding sites. Some of these sequences could specifically inhibit AP-2.DNA complex formation, and for the human complement C3 promoter, overexpression of AP-2 also could repress its cytokine-mediated activation. Finally, stable expression of AP-2 in hepatoma cells significantly reduced the expression of endogenous SAA, albumin, and alpha-fetoprotein genes. Taken together, our results suggest that AP-2 may function as a transcription repressor to inhibit the expression of not only SAA1 gene but also other liver genes in nonhepatic cells.

A family of AP-2 proteins down-regulate manganese superoxide dismutase expression

Manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) is a primary antioxidant enzyme whose expression is essential for life in oxygen. Mn-SOD has tumor suppressor activity in a wide variety of tumors and transformed cell systems. Our initial observations revealed that Mn-SOD expression was inversely correlated with expression of AP-2 transcription factors in normal human fibroblasts and their SV-40 transformed counterparts. Thus we hypothesized that AP-2 may down-regulate Mn-SOD expression. To examine the functional role of AP-2 on Mn-SOD promoter transactivation we cotransfected AP-2-deficient HepG2 cells with a human Mn-SOD promoter-reporter construct and expression vectors encoding each of the three known AP-2 family members. Our results indicated that AP-2 could significantly repress Mn-SOD promoter activity, and that this repression was both Mn-SOD promoter and AP-2-specific. The three AP-2 proteins appeared to play distinct roles in Mn-SOD gene regulation. Moreover, although all three AP-2 proteins could repress the Mn-SOD promoter, AP-2alpha and AP-2gamma were more active in this regard than AP-2beta. Transcriptional repression by AP-2 was not a general effect in this system, because another AP-2-responsive gene, c-erbB-3, was transactivated by AP-2. Repression of Mn-SOD by AP-2 was dependent on DNA binding, and expression of AP-2B, a dominant negative incapable of DNA binding, relieved the repression on Mn-SOD promoter and reactivated Mn-SOD expression in the AP-2 abundant SV40-transformed fibroblast cell line MRC-5VA. These results indicate that AP-2-mediated transcriptional repression contributes to the constitutively low expression of Mn-SOD in SV40-transformed fibroblasts and suggest a mechanism for Mn-SOD down-regulation in cancer.