Identification and charaterization of the second retinoic acid response element in the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene promoter

Dietary supplementation of VA enhances growth, feed utilization, glucose and lipid metabolism, appetite, and antioxidant capacity of Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin A on juvenile Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi). Chinese perch were fed with five experimental diets containing 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg VA·kg-1 for 8 weeks. Results showed that dietary vitamin A significantly influenced the fish's growth, feed utilization, glucose and lipid metabolism, appetite, and antioxidant capacity. Vitamin A-supplemented groups had higher weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) compared to the control group. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was also lower in the vitamin A-supplemented groups. Dietary vitamin A had no significant effect on the survival rate (SR). Compared to the control group, fish fed with vitamin A had increased feed intake (FI), and the expression of appetite-promoting genes (npy and agrp) was significantly higher in the 40 mg VA·kg-1 group. Vitamin A also enhanced the utilization of dietary protein by Chinese perch. The serum glucose content of the fish fed with 40 mg VA·kg-1 diet was significantly higher than that of the control group and 20 mg VA·kg-1 diet, indicating that the promoting effect of VA on gluconeogenesis was greater than that on glycolysis. Additionally, dietary vitamin A increased the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes (hl and fas) and antioxidant genes (nrf2 and gpx) in the fish. These results suggest that the optimal vitamin A requirement of juvenile Chinese perch bream was estimated to be 37.32 mg VA·kg-1 based on broken-line regression analysis of WGR. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of dietary vitamin A on the growth, metabolism, and antioxidant capacity of Chinese perch.

Vitamin A status affects weight gain and hepatic glucose metabolism in rats fed a high-fat diet

Whether vitamin A (VA) has a role in the development of metabolic abnormalities associated with intake of a high-fat diet (HFD) is unclear. Sprague-Dawley rats after weaning were fed an isocaloric VA sufficient HFD (VAS-HFD) or a VA deficient HFD (VAD-HFD) for 8 weeks. Body mass, food intake, liver and adipose tissue mass, and the hepatic expression levels of key proteins for metabolism were determined. VAD-HFD rats had lower body, liver, and epididymal fat mass than VAS-HFD rats. VAD-HFD rats had lower hepatic protein expression levels of cytochrome P450 26A1, glucokinase, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase than VAS-HFD rats. VAD-HFD rats had higher protein levels of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3α and lower levels of GSK-3β, but not glycogen synthase, than VAS-HFD rats. VAD-HFD rats had higher hepatic levels of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), insulin receptor β-subunit, mitogen-activated protein kinase proteins, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α mRNA, and lower level of IRS-2 protein than VAS-HFD rats. These results indicate that in a HFD setting, VA deficiency attenuated HFD-induced obesity, and VA status altered the expression levels of proteins required for glucose metabolism and insulin signaling. We conclude that VA status contributes to the regulation of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism in a HFD setting, and may regulate hepatic carbohydrate metabolism.

Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis by Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that regulate multiple aspects of glucose homeostasis. Glucocorticoids promote gluconeogenesis in liver, whereas in skeletal muscle and white adipose tissue they decrease glucose uptake and utilization by antagonizing insulin response. Therefore, excess glucocorticoid exposure causes hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Glucocorticoids also regulate glycogen metabolism. In liver, glucocorticoids increase glycogen storage, whereas in skeletal muscle they play a permissive role for catecholamine-induced glycogenolysis and/or inhibit insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis. Moreover, glucocorticoids modulate the function of pancreatic α and β cells to regulate the secretion of glucagon and insulin, two hormones that play a pivotal role in the regulation of blood glucose levels. Overall, the major glucocorticoid effect on glucose homeostasis is to preserve plasma glucose for brain during stress, as transiently raising blood glucose is important to promote maximal brain function. In this chapter we will discuss the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying different aspects of glucocorticoid-regulated mammalian glucose homeostasis.

Retinoic acid receptors: from molecular mechanisms to cancer therapy

Retinoic acid (RA), the major bioactive metabolite of retinol or vitamin A, induces a spectrum of pleiotropic effects in cell growth and differentiation that are relevant for embryonic development and adult physiology. The RA activity is mediated primarily by members of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) subfamily, namely RARα, RARβ and RARγ, which belong to the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of transcription factors. RARs form heterodimers with members of the retinoid X receptor (RXR) subfamily and act as ligand-regulated transcription factors through binding specific RA response elements (RAREs) located in target genes promoters. RARs also have non-genomic effects and activate kinase signaling pathways, which fine-tune the transcription of the RA target genes. The disruption of RA signaling pathways is thought to underlie the etiology of a number of hematological and non-hematological malignancies, including leukemias, skin cancer, head/neck cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, glioblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of note, RA and its derivatives (retinoids) are employed as potential chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agents because of their differentiation, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-oxidant effects. In humans, retinoids reverse premalignant epithelial lesions, induce the differentiation of myeloid normal and leukemic cells, and prevent lung, liver, and breast cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that regulate the RA and retinoid signaling pathways. Moreover, mechanisms through which deregulation of RA signaling pathways ultimately impact on cancer are examined. Finally, the therapeutic effects of retinoids are reported.

Insulin regulates retinol dehydrogenase expression and all-trans-retinoic acid biosynthesis through FoxO1

All-trans-retinoic acid (atRA), an autacoid derived from retinol (vitamin A), regulates energy balance and reduces adiposity. We show that energy status regulates atRA biosynthesis at the rate-limiting step, catalyzed by retinol dehydrogenases (RDH). Six h after re-feeding, Rdh1 expression decreased 80-90% in liver and brown adipose tissue and Rdh10 expression was decreased 45-63% in liver, pancreas, and kidney, all relative to mice fasted 16 h. atRA in the liver was decreased 44% 3 h after reduced Rdh expression. Oral gavage with glucose or injection with insulin decreased Rdh1 and Rdh10 mRNA 50% or greater in mouse liver. Removing serum from the medium of the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 increased Rdh10 and Rdh16 (human Rdh1 ortholog) mRNA expression 2-3-fold by 4 h, by increasing transcription and stabilizing mRNA. Insulin decreased Rdh10 and Rdh16 mRNA in HepG2 cells incubated in serum-free medium by inhibiting transcription and destabilizing mRNA. Insulin action required PI3K and Akt, which suppress FoxO1. Serum removal increased atRA biosynthesis 4-fold from retinol in HepG2 cells, whereas dominant-negative FoxO1 prevented the increase. Thus, energy status via insulin and FoxO1 regulate Rdh expression and atRA biosynthesis. These results reveal mechanisms for regulating atRA biosynthesis and the opposing effects of atRA and insulin on gluconeogenesis, and also suggest an interaction between atRA and insulin signaling related diseases, such as type II diabetes and cancer.

Factors affecting insulin-regulated hepatic gene expression

Obesity has become a major concern of public health. A common feature of obesity and related metabolic disorders such as noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is insulin resistance, wherein a given amount of insulin produces less than normal physiological responses. Insulin controls hepatic glucose and fatty acid metabolism, at least in part, via the regulation of gene expression. When the liver is insulin-sensitive, insulin can stimulate the expression of genes for fatty acid synthesis and suppress those for gluconeogenesis. When the liver becomes insulin-resistant, the insulin-mediated suppression of gluconeogenic gene expression is lost, whereas the induction of fatty acid synthetic gene expression remains intact. In the past two decades, the mechanisms of insulin-regulated hepatic gene expression have been studied extensively and many components of insulin signal transduction pathways have been identified. Factors that alter these pathways, and the insulin-regulated hepatic gene expression, have been revealed and the underlying mechanisms have been proposed. This chapter summarizes the recent progresses in our understanding of the effects of dietary factors, drugs, bioactive compounds, hormones, and cytokines on insulin-regulated hepatic gene expression. Given the large amount of information and progresses regarding the roles of insulin, this chapter focuses on findings in the liver and hepatocytes and not those described for other tissues and cells. Typical insulin-regulated hepatic genes, such as insulin-induced glucokinase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c and insulin-suppressed cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxyl kinase and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, are used as examples to discuss the mechanisms such as insulin regulatory element-mediated transcriptional regulation. We also propose the potential mechanisms by which these factors affect insulin-regulated hepatic gene expression and discuss potential future directions of the area of research.

Roles of Vitamin A Metabolism in the Development of Hepatic Insulin Resistance

The increase in the number of people with obesity- and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus has become a major public health concern. Insulin resistance is a common feature closely associated with human obesity and diabetes. Insulin regulates metabolism, at least in part, via the control of the expression of the hepatic genes involved in glucose and fatty acid metabolism. Insulin resistance is always associated with profound changes of the expression of hepatic genes for glucose and lipid metabolism. As an essential micronutrient, vitamin A (VA) is needed in a variety of physiological functions. The active metablite of VA, retinoic acid (RA), regulates the expression of genes through the activation of transcription factors bound to the RA-responsive elements in the promoters of RA-targeted genes. Recently, retinoids have been proposed to play roles in glucose and lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. This paper summarizes the recent progresses in our understanding of VA metabolism in the liver and of the potential transcription factors mediating RA responses. These transcription factors are the retinoic acid receptor, the retinoid X receptor, the hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α, the chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II, and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ. This paper also summarizes the effects of VA status and RA treatments on the glucose and lipid metabolism in vivo and the effects of retinoid treatments on the expression of insulin-regulated genes involved in the glucose and fatty acid metabolism in the primary hepatocytes. I discuss the roles of RA production in the development of insulin resistance in hepatocytes and proposes a mechanism by which RA production may contribute to hepatic insulin resistance. Given the large amount of information and progresses regarding the physiological functions of VA, this paper mainly focuses on the findings in the liver and hepatocytes and only mentions the relative findings in other tissues and cells.

Genome-wide analysis of FoxO1 binding in hepatic chromatin: potential involvement of FoxO1 in linking retinoid signaling to hepatic gluconeogenesis

The forkhead transcription factor FoxO1 is a critical regulator of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism, and dysregulation of FoxO1 function has been implicated in diabetes and insulin resistance. We globally identified FoxO1 occupancy in mouse hepatic chromatin on a genome-wide level by chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq). To establish the specific functional significance of FoxO1 against other FoxO proteins, ChIP-seq was performed with chromatin from liver-specific FoxO1 knockout and wild-type mice. Here we identified 401 genome-wide FoxO1-binding locations. Motif search reveals a sequence element, 5′ GTAAACA 3′, consistent with a previously known FoxO1-binding site. Gene set enrichment analysis shows that the data from FoxO1 ChIP-seq are highly correlated with the global expression profiling of genes regulated by FoxO1, demonstrating the functional relevance of our FoxO1 ChIP-seq study. Interestingly, gene ontology analysis reveals the functional significance of FoxO1 in retinoid metabolic processes. We show here that FoxO1 directly binds to the genomic sites for the genes in retinoid metabolism. Notably, deletion of FoxO1 caused a significantly reduced induction of Pck1 and Pdk4 in response to retinoids. As Pck1 and Pdk4 are downstream targets of retinoid signaling, these results suggest that FoxO1 plays a potential role in linking retinoid metabolism to hepatic gluconeogenesis.

Vitamin A status affects obesity development and hepatic expression of key genes for fuel metabolism in Zucker fatty rats

We hypothesized that vitamin A (VA) status may affect obesity development. Male Zucker lean (ZL) and fatty (ZF) rats after weaning were fed a synthetic VA deficient (VAD) or VA sufficient (VAS) diet for 8 weeks before their plasma parameters and hepatic genes' expression were analyzed. The body mass (BM) of ZL or ZF rats fed the VAD diet was lower than that of their corresponding controls fed the VAS diet at 5 or 2 weeks, respectively. The VAD ZL and ZF rats had less food intake than the VAS rats after 5 weeks. The VAD ZL and ZF rats had lower plasma glucose, triglyceride, insulin, and leptin levels, as well as lower liver glycogen content, net mass of epididymal fat, and liver/BM and epididymal fat/BM ratios (ZL only) than their respective VAS controls. VAD rats had lower hepatic Cyp26a1, Srebp-1c, Fas, Scd1, Me1, Gck, and Pklr (ZL and ZF); and higher Igfbp1 (ZL and ZF), Pck1(ZF only), and G6pc (ZF only) mRNA levels than their respective VAS controls. We conclude that ZL and ZF rats responded differently to dietary VA deficiency. VA status affected obesity development and altered the expression of hepatic genes for fuel metabolism in ZF rats. The mechanisms will help us to combat metabolic diseases.

Roles of vitamin A status and retinoids in glucose and fatty acid metabolism

The rising prevalence of metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, has become a public health concern. Vitamin A (VA, retinol) is an essential micronutrient for a variety of physiological processes, such as tissue differentiation, immunity, and vision. However, its role in glucose and lipid metabolism has not been clearly defined. VA activities are mediated by the metabolite of retinol catabolism, retinoic acid, which activates the retinoic acid receptor and retinoid X receptor (RXR). Since RXR is an obligate heterodimeric partner for many nuclear receptors involved in metabolism, it is reasonable to assume that VA status and retinoids contribute to glucose and lipid homeostasis. To date, the impacts of VA and retinoids on energy metabolism in animals and humans have been demonstrated in some basic and clinical investigations. This review summarizes the effects of VA status and retinoid treatments on metabolism of the liver, adipocytes, pancreatic β-cells, and skeletal muscle. It proposes a mechanism by which the dietary and hormonal signals converge on the promoter of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c gene to induce its expression, and in turn, the expression of lipogenic genes in hepatocytes. Future research projects relevant to the VA's roles in metabolic diseases are also discussed.

The hepatic Raldh1 expression is elevated in Zucker fatty rats and its over-expression introduced the retinal-induced Srebp-1c expression in INS-1 cells

The roles of vitamin A (VA) in the development of metabolic diseases remain unanswered. We have reported that retinoids synergized with insulin to induce the expression of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 1c gene (Srebp-1c) expression in primary rat hepatocytes. Additionally, the hepatic Srebp-1c expression is elevated in Zucker fatty (ZF) rats, and reduced in those fed a VA deficient diet. VA is metabolized to retinoic acid (RA) for regulating gene expression. We hypothesized that the expression of RA production enzymes contributes to the regulation of the hepatic Srebp-1c expression. Therefore, we analyzed their expression levels in Zucker lean (ZL) and ZF rats. The mRNA levels of retinaldehyde dehydrogenase family 1 gene (Raldh1) were found to be higher in the isolated and cultured primary hepatocytes from ZF rats than that from ZL rats. The RALDH1 protein level was elevated in the liver of ZF rats. Retinol and retinal dose- and time-dependently induced the expression of RA responsive Cyp26a1 gene in hepatocytes and hepatoma cells. INS-1 cells were identified as an ideal tool to study the effects of RA production on the regulation of gene expression because only RA, but not retinal, induced Srebp-1c mRNA expression in them. Recombinant adenovirus containing rat Raldh1 cDNA was made and used to infect INS-1 cells. The over-expression of RALDH1 introduced the retinal-mediated induction of Srebp-1c expression in INS-1 cells. We conclude that the expression levels of the enzymes for RA production may contribute to the regulation of RA responsive genes, and determine the responses of the cells to retinoid treatments. The elevated hepatic expression of Raldh1 in ZF rats may cause the excessive RA production from retinol, and in turn, result in higher Srebp-1c expression. This excessive RA production may be one of the factors contributing to the elevated lipogenesis in the liver of ZF rats.

Retinoids induced Pck1 expression and attenuated insulin-mediated suppression of its expression via activation of retinoic acid receptor in primary rat hepatocytes

Insulin regulates the expression of genes involved in hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism, such as the cytosolic form of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene (Pck1). We have reported that lipophilic molecules from rat livers induced Pck1 transcription and attenuated insulin-mediated suppression of its expression in primary rat hepatocytes. After identification of retinol and retinal as the active molecules, the present study was aimed to determine the effects of retinoids on insulin-mediated suppression of Pck1 expression in primary rat hepatocytes. Real-time PCR and reporter gene assays were designed to determine retinoid effects in the absence or presence of insulin on the expression levels of Pck1 mRNA and activation of its promoter constructs, respectively. The lipophilic extract from rat livers specifically induced the expression of Pck1, but not that of two other insulin-suppressed genes, glucose 6-phosphatase catalytic subunit and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1. Retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid (RA) induced Pck1 expression dose-dependently in primary hepatocytes. Specific activation of retinoic acid receptor (RAR), but not retinoid X receptor, attenuated insulin-mediated suppression of Pck1 expression. RARα antagonist (Ro41-5253) abolished the retinal-mediated induction of Pck1 expression and attenuation of insulin-mediated suppression of its expression. Disruption of the proximal, but not the distal, RA responsive element in the Pck1 promoter eliminated the RA response of Pck1 promoter reporter constructs in primary hepatocytes. The results of this study demonstrated for the first time that retinoid treatment attenuated insulin-mediated suppression of Pck1 expression in primary rat hepatocytes. It suggests that retinoid metabolism in hepatocytes may modulate hepatic insulin action.

Retinoic acid signaling in mammalian eye development

Retinoic acid (RA) is a biologically active metabolite of vitamin A (retinol) that serves as a signaling molecule during a number of developmental and physiological processes. RA signaling plays multiple roles during embryonic eye development. RA signaling is initially required for reciprocal interactions between the optic vesicle and invaginating lens placode. RA signaling promotes normal development of the ventral retina and optic nerve through its activities in the neural crest cell-derived periocular mesenchyme. RA coordinates these processes by regulating biological activities of a family of non-steroid hormone receptors, RARalpha/beta/gamma, and RXRalpha/beta/gamma. These DNA-binding transcription factors recognize DNA as RAR/RXR heterodimers and recruit multiprotein transcriptional co-repressor complexes. RA-binding to RAR receptors induces a conformational change in the receptor, followed by the replacement of co-repressor with co-activator complexes. Inactivation of RARalpha/beta/gamma receptors in the periocular mesenchyme abrogates anterior eye segment formation. This review summarizes recent genetic studies of RA signaling and progress in understanding the molecular mechanism of transcriptional co-activators that function with RAR/RXR.

Retinoids upregulate phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glyceroneogenesis in human and rodent adipocytes

Glyceroneogenesis is an important metabolic pathway for fatty acid reesterification in adipose tissue, thereby reducing fatty acid release. Glyceroneogenesis and cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C), which is the key enzyme in this pathway, are both regulated by a series of hormones and nutrients, among which all-trans retinoic acid (all-trans RA) is a transcriptional inducer of the PEPCK-C gene (Pck1). All-trans RA binds to the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and activates it, whereas its stereoisomer 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis RA) is a ligand for the 9-cis RA receptor (RXR). Three RXR-binding elements [retinoic acid response element (RARE)1/PCK1, RARE2, and RARE3/PCK2] were previously located in the promoter of Pck1. Using 3T3-F442A adipocytes, we demonstrated that Pck1 expression was 10-fold more sensitive to 9-cis RA (EC(50): 10 nmol/L) than to all-trans RA. We then analyzed the respective involvement of RARE1/PCK1, RARE2, and RARE3/PCK2 in the response of Pck1 to 9-cis RA and all-trans RA in adipocytes. The response to 9-cis RA mainly involved the RARE1/PCK1 element, whereas RARE2 was mainly responsive to all-trans RA. In contrast, the full response to both RA isomers involved these 2 elements and included RARE3/PCK2 as well. Furthermore, 9-cis RA, but not all-trans RA, selectively induced PCK1 in ex-vivo-treated human adipose tissue explants, with a concomitant induction of glyceroneogenesis monitored by [1-(14)C]-pyruvate incorporation into neutral lipids. The concomitant 9-cis RA-induced reduction in fatty acid output indicates an important role for this RA stereoisomer in lipid homeostasis through stimulation of PEPCK-C and glyceroneogenesis in adipose tissue.

Vitamin A regulation of gene expression: molecular mechanism of a prototype gene

Vitamin A regulation of gene expression is a well-characterized example of direct nutrient regulation of gene expression. The downstream metabolites of retinol, all-trans and 9-cis retinoic acids are the bioactive components that bind and activate their cognate nuclear receptors to regulate target genes. There are multiple retinoid receptor subtypes that are encoded by separate genes and each subtype has different isoforms. These receptors are Class II members of the thyroid/retinoid/vitamin D superfamily of nuclear receptors. The characterization of the retinoid receptors and the DNA response elements of target genes that bind these receptors have vastly expanded our knowledge of the mechanism of retinoid regulation of target genes. The basic regulatory mechanism of retinoids interacting with their cognate receptors is further complicated by the interaction of coactivators and corepressors, nuclear proteins that are involved in activation or repression of transcription, respectively. Most of these coregulators are involved in modifying chromatin and nucleosome structure such that chromatin is relaxed or condensed, and in bridging between the upstream enhancer domains and the transcription preinitiation complex. Retinoid regulation of the rate of transcription of target genes and the duration of the retinoid response is further complicated by covalent modification of the retinoid receptors by phosphorylation involved in coactivator association and ubiquitinylation involved in the degradation of retinoid receptors. This review presents a prototype retinoid responsive gene that encodes the phosphoenolpyruate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene as an example of a specific mechanism of retinoid regulation of a metabolic gene. The retinoid response elements and overall mechanism of retinoid regulation of the PEPCK gene have been well documented by both in vitro and in vivo methods. We provide detailed information on the specific nuclear receptors, coactivators and chromatin modification events that occur when vitamin A is deficient and, therefore, retinoids are not available to activate the nuclear retinoid-signaling cascade.

Retinoic acids and trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, induce human pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) gene expression

Induction of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) conserves glucose and substrates for gluconeogenesis and thereby helps regulate blood glucose levels during starvation. We report here that retinoic acids (RA) as well as Trichostatin A (TSA), an inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDAC), regulate PDK4 gene expression. Two retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) to which retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha) and retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARalpha) bind and activate transcription are present in the human PDK4 (hPDK4) proximal promoter. Sp1 and CCAAT box binding factor (CBF) bind to the region between two RAREs. Mutation of either the Sp1 or the CBF site significantly decreases basal expression, transactivation by RXRalpha/RARalpha/RA, and the ability of TSA to stimulate hPDK4 gene transcription. By the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, RA and TSA increase acetylation of histones bound to the proximal promoter as well as occupancy of CBP and Sp1. Interaction of p300/CBP with E1A completely prevented hPDK4 gene activation by RXRalpha/RARalpha/RA and TSA. The p300/CBP may enhance acetylation of histones bound to the hPDK4 promoter and cooperate with Sp1 and CBF to stimulate transcription of the hPDK4 gene in response to RA and TSA.

Proposed involvement of adipocyte glyceroneogenesis and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in the metabolic syndrome

Elevated concentration of plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) is now recognized as a key factor in the onset of insulin-resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. During fasting, circulating NEFAs arise from white adipose tissue (WAT) as a consequence of lipolysis from stored triacylglycerols. However, a significant part of these FAs (30-70%) is re-esterified within the adipocyte, so that a recycling occurs and net FA output is much less than << true >> lipolysis. Indeed, a balance between two antagonistic processes, lipolysis and FA re-esterification, controls the rate of net FA release from WAT. During fasting, re-esterification requires glyceroneogenesis defined as the de novo synthesis of glycerol-3-P from pyruvate, lactate or certain amino acids. The key enzyme in this process is the cytosolic isoform of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C; EC 4.1.1.32). Recent advance has stressed the role of glyceroneogenesis and of PEPCK-C in FA release from WAT. Results indicate that glyceroneogenesis is indeed important to lipid homeostasis and that a disregulation in this pathway may have profound pathophysiological effects. The present review focuses on the regulation of glyceroneogenesis and of PEPCK-C gene expression and activity by FAs, retinoic acids, glucocorticoids and the hypolipidemic class of drugs, thiazolidinediones.

The synergistic effect of dexamethasone and all-trans-retinoic acid on hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene expression involves the coactivator p300

Activation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene transcription in response to all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) or a glucocorticoid such as dexamethasone (Dex) requires a distinct arrangement of DNA-response elements and their cognate transcription activators on the gene promoter. Two of the accessory factor-binding elements involved in the Dex response (gAF1 and gAF3) coincide with the DNA-response elements involved in the RA response. We demonstrate here that the combination of Dex/RA has a synergistic effect on endogenous PEPCK gene expression in rat hepatocytes and H4IIE hepatoma cells. Reporter gene studies show that the gAF3 element and one of the two glucocorticoid receptor-binding elements (GR1) are most important for this effect. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that when H4IIE cells were treated with Dex/RA, ligand-activated retinoic acid receptors (retinoic acid receptor/retinoid X receptor) and glucocorticoid receptors are recruited to this gene promoter, as are the transcription coregulators p300, CREB-binding protein, p/CIP, and SRC-1. Notably, the recruitment of p300 and RNA polymerase II to the PEPCK promoter is increased by the combined Dex/RA treatment compared with Dex or RA treatment alone. The functional importance of p300 in the Dex/RA response is illustrated by the observation that selective reduction of this coactivator, but not that of CREB-binding protein, abolishes the synergistic effect in H4IIE cells.

RNA polymerase II association with the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) promoter is reduced in vitamin A-deficient mice

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene expression is decreased in vitamin A-deficient (VAD) mice. However, the underlying molecular mechanism at the PEPCK promoter that contributes to this alteration in gene expression remains unexplained and thus serves as the basis for our investigation in this report. Using liver from vitamin A-sufficient (VAS) and VAD mice in the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, we determined that histones H3 and H4 were in the acetylated or active state in VAS mice at each of the three retinoic acid response elements (RARE1, RARE2 and RARE3) of the PEPCK promoter. The same acetylation pattern was seen in VAD mice, but with relatively lower levels of acetylated H3 and H4 bound at the region encompassing PEPCK RARE1/RARE2. In ChIP assays conducted with an antibody to RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II), the association of RNA Pol II with PEPCK RARE1/RARE2 was significantly decreased in vitamin A deficiency. The reduction in RNA Pol II association is indicative of an interruption in the direct interactions of RNA Pol II with the PEPCK promoter, with general transcription factors and/or with coregulator molecules that contribute to the activation of the PEPCK gene. These results increase our understanding of the molecular basis for decreased PEPCK gene expression in VAD mice in vivo and offer additional insight into the regulation of other retinoid-responsive genes.

Vitamin A depletion is associated with low phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA levels during late fetal development and at birth in mice

Expression of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene is repressed during fetal liver development and activated at birth. It has been shown that the PEPCK gene is a retinoid-responsive gene, but whether it is regulated by vitamin A in the fetus has not been established. In this study, we found that PEPCK mRNA can be detected in the murine fetal liver as early as gestational d 17. In addition, expression and cAMP induction of the PEPCK gene during late gestation and at birth require vitamin A sufficiency in the fetus and neonate. The PEPCK promoter contains several regulatory elements that bind a diverse array of transcription factors and nuclear coregulators, although it is largely unknown which of these factors are expressed early in liver development. Expression of some of these nuclear factors in livers of fetal mice was investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Fetuses were from dams that were fed from the beginning of gestation diets that were adequate or devoid of vitamin A. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) was expressed at the earliest stage of liver development on d 11, whereas retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha) and nuclear coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP) were expressed from d 16 onward. Although expressions of RXRalpha and CBP in livers of vitamin A-sufficient and vitamin A-depleted fetal mice did not differ, the level of HNF4alpha was consistently lower in the latter. Our findings strongly suggest that vitamin A is required during liver development for staged expression of the PEPCK gene and that HNF4alpha may be involved in mediating vitamin A regulation of the PEPCK gene at these critical periods.

Elements of the glucocorticoid and retinoic acid response units are involved in cAMP-mediated expression of the PEPCK gene

Although many genes are regulated by the concerted action of several hormones, hormonal signaling to gene promoters has generally been studied one hormone at a time. The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene is a case in point. Transcription of this gene is induced by glucagon (acting by the second messenger, cAMP), glucocorticoids, and retinoic acid, and it is dominantly repressed by insulin. These hormonal responses require the presence of different hormone response units (HRUs), which consist of constellations of DNA elements and associated transcription factors. These include the glucocorticoid response unit (GRU), cAMP response unit (CRU), retinoic acid response unit (RARU), and the insulin response unit. HRUs are known to have functional overlap. In particular, the cAMP response element of the CRU is also a component of the GRU. The purpose of this study was to determine whether known GRU or RARU elements or transcription factors function as components of the CRU. We show here that the glucocorticoid accessory factor binding site 1 and glucocorticoid accessory factor binding site 3 elements, which are components of both the GRU and RARU, are an important part of the CRU. Furthermore, we find that the transcription factor, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor, and two coactivators, cAMP response element-binding protein-binding protein and steroid receptor coactivator-1, participate in both the cAMP and glucocorticoid responses. This provides a further illustration of how the PEPCK gene promoter integrates different hormone responses through overlapping HRUs that utilize some of the same transcription factors and coactivators.

Activating transcription factor-2 mediates transcriptional regulation of gluconeogenic gene PEPCK by retinoic acid

All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) is known to increase the rate of transcription of the PEPCK gene upon engagement of the RA receptor (RAR). RA also mediates induction of specific gene transcription via several signaling pathways as a nongenomic effect. Here we show that RA upregulation of PEPCK promoter activity requires the cAMP response element (CRE)-1 in addition to the RA-response element and that activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2) binds the CRE element to mediate this effect. Furthermore, we show that RA treatment potentiates ATF-2-dependent transactivation by inducing specific phosphorylation of ATF-2 by p38beta kinase. ATF-2 activation by RA blocked the inhibitory intramolecular interaction of ATF-2 amino and carboxyl terminal domains in a p38beta kinase-dependent manner. Consistent with these results, RA treatment increased the DNA binding activity of ATF-2 on the PEPCK CRE-1 sequence. Taken together, the data suggest that RA activates the p38beta kinase pathway leading to phosphorylation and activation of ATF-2, thereby enhancing PEPCK gene transcription and glucose production.

Retinoid regulation of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene in liver

The cytosolic PEPCK gene is a model gene for assessing retinoid regulation of liver-specific genes encoding enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism. In vivo, we have demonstrated that the PEPCK gene is inhibited by vitamin A deficiency. Specifically, under conditions of food deprivation, induction of the PEPCK gene is inhibited in the vitamin A deficient mouse. Inhibition of the PEPCK gene by vitamin A deficiency is reversed by all-trans or 9-cis retinoic acid (RA) treatment. In a transgenic mouse model, a -460 and -355 bp PEPCK promoter fragment confers susceptibility to inhibition by vitamin A deficiency and responsiveness to all-trans RA treatment. However, there is a differential effect of 9-cis RA on the PEPCK promoter; the -460 fragment confers responsiveness to 9-cis RA, but the -355 fragment does not. Taken together, these results indicate that the PEPCK retinoic acid response element (RARE)1 is required for 9-cis RA induction-but not all-trans RA induction-of the PEPCK gene. In order to determine if vitamin A deficiency alters specific localized expression of the PEPCK gene in the periportal cells of the liver, the effect of vitamin A status on PEPCK localization in the liver was also measured. The PEPCK transgenes were expressed specifically in the periportal region of the liver acinus and although vitamin A deficiency caused a decrease in PEPCK transgene mRNA levels in periportal cells, it did not alter the periportal cell-specific pattern of expression. Retinoid treatment induced PEPCK transgene mRNA levels in the same population of cells, however, the -355 bp PEPCK promoter fragment did not respond to 9-cis RA treatment. In order to determine the nuclear transcription factor(s) responsible for retinoid regulation of the PEPCK gene in the liver, we investigated retinoic acid receptor (RAR)alpha and beta and the retinoid X receptor (RXR)alpha-the major retinoid receptors in liver-in terms of expression and the ability of the receptors to bind the PEPCK RAREs. Vitamin A deficiency significantly decreased hepatic RAR beta, but not RAR alpha or RXR alpha mRNA levels. In situ hybridization showed that RAR alpha, RAR beta and RXR alpha mRNAs were localized in the periportal region, however, immunohistochemistry showed that RAR alpha and RXR alpha were distributed evenly across the liver acinus, whereas only RAR beta levels were higher in periportal cells. The binding of nuclear receptors to PEPCK RARE1, RARE2 and RARE3 indicates a complex pattern of retinoid receptor and orphan nuclear receptor binding.

Role of accessory factors and steroid receptor coactivator 1 in the regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene transcription by glucocorticoids

In the liver, glucocorticoids induce a 10-15-fold increase in the rate of transcription of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene, which encodes a key gluconeogenic enzyme. This induction requires a multicomponent glucocorticoid response unit (GRU) comprised of four glucocorticoid accessory factor (AF) elements and two glucocorticoid receptor binding sites. We show that the AFs that bind the gAF1, gAF2, and gAF3 elements (hepatocyte nuclear factor [HNF]4/chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor 1 and HNF3beta) all interact with steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC1). This suggests that the AFs function in part by recruiting coactivators to the GRU. The binding of a GAL4-SRC1 chimeric protein completely restores the glucocorticoid induction that is lost when any one of these elements is replaced with a GAL4 binding site. Thus, when SRC1 is recruited directly to gAF1, gAF2, or gAF3, the requirement for the corresponding AF is bypassed. Surprisingly, glucocorticoid receptor is still required when SRC1 is recruited directly to the GAL4 site, suggesting a role for the receptor in activating SRC1 in the context of the GRU. Structural variants of GAL4-SRC1 were used to identify requirements for the basic-helix-loop-helix and histone acetyltransferase domains of SRC1, and these are specific to the region of the promoter to which the coactivator is recruited.

Retinoic acid-mediated activation of the mouse renin enhancer

Previous studies demonstrate that the mouse renin gene is regulated by a complex enhancer of transcription located 2.6 kilobases upstream of the transcription start site which is under both positive and negative influence. We demonstrate herein that a positive regulatory element (Eb) is repeated 10 bp upstream (Ec), and both are required for baseline activity of the enhancer. The Eb and Ec core sequences are identical to the consensus sequence for the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of transcription factors, and transcriptional activity of constructs containing the enhancer is increased after treatment with retinoic acid. Maximal induction requires both Eb and Ec. Expression of endogenous renin and a renin-promoter controlled transgene in As4.1 cells, and kidney renin mRNA in C57BL/6J mice was induced after retinoid treatment. Gel mobility supershift analysis revealed the binding of RARalpha and RXRalpha to oligonucleotides containing both Eb and Ec. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that As4.1 cells express both receptor isoforms, along with RARgamma, but do not express RARbeta, RXRbeta, or RXRgamma. Co-transfection of an expression vector encoding wild-type RARalpha increased enhancer activity, whereas a dominant negative mutant of RARalpha significantly attenuated retinoic acid-induced activity of the enhancer. These results demonstrate the importance of the Eb and Ec motifs in controlling baseline activity of the renin enhancer, and suggest the potential importance of retinoids in regulating renin expression.

Regulation of retinoic acid signaling in the embryonic nervous system: a master differentiation factor

This review describes some of the properties of retinoic acid (RA) in its functions as a locally synthesized differentiation factor for the developing nervous system. The emphasis is on the characterization of the metabolic enzymes that synthesize and inactivate RA, and which determine local RA concentrations. These enzymes create regions of autocrine and paracrine RA signaling in the embryo. One mechanism by which RA can act as a differentiation agent is through the induction of growth factors and their receptors. Induction of growth factor receptors in neural progenitor cells can lead to growth factor dependency, and the consequent developmental fate of the cell will depend on the local availability of growth factors. Because RA activates the early events of cell differentiation, which then induce context-specific differentiation programs, RA may be called a master differentiation factor.

Retinoids in embryonal development

The key role of vitamin A in embryonal development is reviewed. Special emphasis is given to the physiological action of retinoids, as evident from the retinoid ligand knockout models. Retinoid metabolism in embryonic tissues and teratogenic consequences of retinoid administration at high doses are presented. Physiological and pharmacological actions of retinoids are outlined and explained on the basis of their interactions as ligands of the nuclear retinoid receptors. Immediate target genes and the retinoid response elements of their promoters are summarized. The fundamental role of homeobox genes in embryonal development and the actions of retinoids on their expression are discussed. The similarity of the effects of retinoid ligand knockouts to effects of compound retinoid receptor knockouts on embryogenesis is presented. Although much remains to be clarified, the emerging landscape offers exciting views for future research.

Characterization of human retinal fascin gene (FSCN2) at 17q25: close physical linkage of fascin and cytoplasmic actin genes

Retinal fascin is a newly identified photoreceptor-specific paralog of the actin-bundling protein fascin. Fascins crosslink f-actin into highly ordered bundles within dynamic cell extensions such as neuronal growth cone filopodia. We have isolated cDNA and genomic clones of human retinal fascin and characterized the structure of the human retinal fascin gene (FSCN2). The cDNA predicts a protein of 492 amino acids and molecular mass 55,057 that shows 94% identity to bovine retinal fascin and 56% identity to human fascin. Promoter analysis reveals a consensus retinoic acid response element and several potential binding sites for transcription factors Crx and Nrl, which correlates with the retina-specific expression of FSCN2 mRNA. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis and genomic clone sequencing indicate that the FSCN2 gene lies within 200 kb of the actin gene ACTG1 at 17q25. Database searches revealed that the human fascin gene FSCN1 and actin gene ACTB at 7p22 also coexist within a 200-kb genomic clone. The close physical linkage of these fascin/actin gene pairs suggests that they derive from a common gene duplication event and allows comparison of fascin and actin phylogenetic analyses. Finally, a possible link to the retinitis pigmentosa 17 allele (RP17) at distal 17q was excluded by demonstration of multiple independent segregation events in two RP17 kindreds. Informative FSCN2 polymorphisms were identified and will serve as useful markers in future linkage studies. The likely function of retinal fascin, in light of known fascin roles in other cell types, is to assemble actin microfilaments in support of photoreceptor disk morphogenesis.

Transcription activation by the orphan nuclear receptor, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor I (COUP-TFI). Definition of the domain involved in the glucocorticoid response of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene

Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factors (COUP-TFs), orphan members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, play a key role in the regulation of organogenesis, neurogenesis, and cellular differentiation during embryogenic development. COUP-TFs are also involved in the regulation of several genes that encode metabolic enzymes. Although COUP-TFs function as potent transcription repressors, there are at least three different molecular mechanisms of activation of gene expression by COUP-TFs. First, as we have previously shown, COUP-TF is required as an accessory factor for the complete induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene transcription by glucocorticoids. This action is mediated by the binding of COUP-TF to the glucocorticoid accessory factor 1 (gAF1) and 3 (gAF3) elements in the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene glucocorticoid response unit. In addition, COUP-TF1 binds to DNA elements in certain genes and transactivates directly. Finally, COUP-TF1 serves as a coactivator through DNA-bound hepatic nuclear factor 4. Here we show that the same region of COUP-TFI, located between amino acids 184 and 423, is involved in these three mechanisms of transactivation by COUP-TFI. Furthermore, we show that GRIP1 and SRC-1 potentiate the activity of COUP-TFI and that COUP-TFI associates with these coactivators in vivo using the same region required for transcription activation. Finally, overexpression of GRIP1 or SRC-1 does not convert COUP-TFI from a transcriptional repressor into a transcriptional activator in HeLa cells.

Isolation and characterization of the mouse cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) gene: evidence for tissue-specific hypersensitive sites

A 72 kilobase pair DNA fragment that contains the mouse phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene locus, pck1, was isolated from a genomic bacterial artificial chromosome library. The region from approximately -5.5 to +6.6 kilobase pairs relative to the pck1 transcription start site was sequenced and exhibits a high degree of homology to the rat and human genes. Additionally, the chromatin structure of the PEPCK gene in mouse liver resembles that seen in rat. Backcross panel analysis of a microsatellite sequence confirms that the gene is located on chromosome 2. Hypersensitive site analysis was performed on nuclei isolated from the adipocyte cell line 3T3-F442A in the preadipose and adipose states. Several hypersensitive sites are present in the undifferentiated 3T3-F442A cells, before PEPCK mRNA is detected. The same sites are present after differentiation, however, the sensitivity of mHS 3 increases relative to the others. We conclude that the chromatin is open in 3T3-F442A cells and that factors are able to bind in the undifferentiated state but that something else is required for transcription.

Role of CCAAT enhancer-binding protein beta in the thyroid hormone and cAMP induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene transcription

Transcription of the gene for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is stimulated by thyroid hormone (T3) and cAMP. Two DNA elements in the PEPCK promoter are required for T3 responsiveness including a thyroid hormone response element and a binding site called P3(I) for the CCAAT enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP). Both the alpha and beta isoforms of C/EBP are highly expressed in the liver. C/EBPalpha contributes to the liver-specific expression and cAMP responsiveness of the PEPCK gene. In this study, we examined the ability of C/EBPbeta when bound to the P3(I) site to regulate PEPCK gene expression. We report that C/EBPbeta can stimulate basal expression and participate in the induction of PEPCK gene transcription by T3 and cAMP. The cAMP-responsive element-binding protein and AP1 proteins that contribute to the induction by cAMP are not involved in the stimulation by T3. A small region of the transactivation domain of C/EBPbeta is sufficient for the stimulation of basal expression and cAMP responsiveness. Our results suggest that C/EBPalpha and C/EBPbeta are functionally interchangeable when bound to the P3(I) site of the PEPCK promoter.

The repression of hormone-activated PEPCK gene expression by glucose is insulin-independent but requires glucose metabolism

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is a rate-controlling enzyme in hepatic gluconeogenesis, and it therefore plays a central role in glucose homeostasis. The rate of transcription of the PEPCK gene is increased by glucagon (via cAMP) and glucocorticoids and is inhibited by insulin. Under certain circumstances glucose also decreases PEPCK gene expression, but the mechanism of this effect is poorly understood. The glucose-mediated stimulation of a number of glycolytic and lipogenic genes requires the expression of glucokinase (GK) and increased glucose metabolism. HL1C rat hepatoma cells are a stably transfected line of H4IIE rat hepatoma cells that express a PEPCK promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion gene that is regulated in the same manner as the endogenous PEPCK gene. These cells do not express GK and do not normally exhibit a response of either the endogenous PEPCK gene, or of the trans-gene, to glucose. A recombinant adenovirus that directs the expression of glucokinase (AdCMV-GK) was used to increase glucose metabolism in HL1C cells to test whether increased glucose flux is also required for the repression of PEPCK gene expression. In AdCMV-GK-treated cells glucose strongly inhibits hormone-activated transcription of the endogenous PEPCK gene and of the expressed fusion gene. The glucose effect on PEPCK gene promoter activity is blocked by 5 mM mannoheptulose, a specific inhibitor of GK activity. The glucose analog, 2-deoxyglucose mimics the glucose response, but this effect does not require GK expression. 3-O-methylglucose is ineffective. Glucose exerts its effect on the PEPCK gene within 4 h, at physiologic concentrations, and with an EC50 of 6.5 mM, which approximates the Km of glucokinase. The effects of glucose and insulin on PEPCK gene expression are additive, but only at suboptimal concentrations of both agents. The results of these studies demonstrate that, by inhibiting PEPCK gene transcription, glucose participates in a feedback control loop that governs its production from gluconeogenesis.

Glucocorticoids repress induction by thiazolidinediones, fibrates, and fatty acids of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene expression in adipocytes

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) exerts a glyceroneogenic function in adipocytes in which transcription of its gene is increased by unsaturated fatty acids and fibrates. We used cultured rat adipose tissue fragments and 3T3-F442A adipocytes to show that the antidiabetic thiazolidinedione BRL 49653, a ligand and an activator of the gamma isoform of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARgamma), is a potent inducer of PEPCK mRNA. In 3T3-F442A adipocytes, the effect of BRL 49653 is rapid and concentration dependent, with a maximum reached at 1 microM and a half-maximum at 10-100 nM. PEPCK mRNA is similarly induced by the natural ligand of PPARgamma, the 15-deoxy-delta(12-14) prostaglandin J2. These observations strongly suggest that PPARgamma is a primary regulator of PEPCK gene expression in adipocytes. Dexamethasone at 10 nM repress induction of PEPCK mRNA by 1 microM BRL 49653, 0.32 mM oleate, or 1 mM clofibrate, in a cycloheximide-independent manner. The antiglucocorticoid RU 38486 prevents dexamethasone action, demonstrating involvement of the glucocorticoid receptor. Stable transfectants of 3T3-F442A adipocytes bearing -2100 to +69 base pairs of the PEPCK gene promoter fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene respond to 1 microM BRL 49653 or 1 mM clofibrate by a large increase in CAT activity, which is prevented by the simultaneous addition of 10 nM dexamethasone. Hence, in adipocytes, glucocorticoids act directly through the 5'-flanking region of the PEPCK gene to repress, in a dominant fashion, the stimulation of PEPCK gene transcription by thiazolidinediones and fibrates.

Identification of a retinoic acid response domain involved in the activation of the beta 1-adrenergic receptor gene by retinoic acid in F9 teratocarcinoma cells

The density of beta 1-adrenergic receptors (beta 1-AR) is up-regulated upon differentiation of embryonic F9 teratocarcinoma cells by retinoic acid (RA) to the primitive endodermal phenotype. To identify the domains involved in RA-mediated activation of beta 1-AR gene transcription, three kb of 5'-flanking sequence of the beta 1-AR gene were ligated to a luciferase reporter gene and transiently transfected into F9 cells that were pre-exposed to 100 nM RA for 2 days. By generating deletions in the beta 1-AR promoter, a region between -125 and -100 was found to mediate a 3-fold induction in cells exposed to RA for an additional 2 days. Through site-directed mutagenesis of this region, it was determined that the RA responsive element (RARE) was organized as a direct repeat separated by 5 nucleotides in which the 5'-most AGGTCG half-site was between nucleotides -106 and -101 and the 3'-most AGGTCA half-site was between nucleotides -117 and -112. The RA receptor alpha (RAR alpha) isoform bound to the oligomer representing the sequences between -125 and -100 as a heterodimer complex with the retinoid X receptor alpha (RXR alpha). In a separate study, it was determined that the nucleotides between -125 and -100 are involved in thyroid hormone-mediated activation of the beta 1-AR gene in ventricular myocytes. Therefore, transcriptional activation of the beta 1-AR gene by thyroid hormone or RA involves a single binding site in the promoter.

Retinoic acid differentially regulates retinoic acid receptor-mediated pathways in the Hep3B cell line

Retinoic acid (RA) up-regulates retinoic acid receptor beta (RAR beta) gene expression in a variety of cell lines. Whether up-regulation of the RAR beta gene reflects increased activity in a RAR beta-mediated biological process is unclear since RAR beta tends to heterodimerize with retinoid x receptor (RXR). In F9 teratocarcinoma cell line, RA-induced differentiation is accompanied by increased expression of the RAR beta, RXR alpha, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) genes. Previously, we have shown that the RA-mediated regulation of the AFP gene is through RXR alpha homodimers. In contrast to F9 cells, Hep3B is unique in that the AFP gene is down-regulated by RA in a manner reminiscent of down-regulation of AFP in postfetal liver. In this paper, we have examined the RA-mediated regulation of the RAR, RXR, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), and AFP genes in Hep3B cells. RA induced the expression of RAR alpha, beta, and gamma mRNA in Hep3B cells. However, the expression of RXR alpha mRNA was down-regulated, and the levels of RXR beta and RXR gamma mRNA remained unchanged after RA treatment. In addition, the expression of the PPAR alpha, beta, and gamma genes was also unchanged. Gel retardation assays demonstrated that RA decreased the overall binding of nuclear receptors to the RA and PPAR response elements. By super-shift assays using specific anti-RAR and -RXR antibodies, RA treatment decreased the amount of RXR alpha while increasing the amount RAR beta bound to retinoic acid response element-DR1 (direct repeat with spacer of one nucleotide), indicating the levels of RAR/RXR heterodimer, RXR/RXR homodimer, or RAR/RAR homodimers were altered upon RA treatment of Hep3B cells. In addition, the RA-mediated reduction of RXR alpha in part results in down-regulation of the AFP gene. Our data indicates that RA exerts its effects by differentially regulating its own receptor gene expression.

Vitamin A regulates genes involved in hepatic gluconeogenesis in mice: phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase

We examined the effects of vitamin A deficiency and all-trans retinoic acid (RA) supplementation on regulation of three important genes in hepatic gluconeogenesis: the genes for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (Fru-1,6-P2ase) and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (6-PF-2-K/Fru-2,6-P2ase). Mice were made vitamin A deficient in the second generation by initiating a vitamin A-deficient diet on d 10 of gestation. At 7 wk of age, vitamin A-deficient mice were treated with all-trans RA or vehicle alone and killed for RNA analysis. In liver, vitamin A deficiency resulted in PEPCK mRNA levels that were 74% lower and 6-PF-2-K/Fru-2,6-P2ase mRNA levels that were 42% lower than the respective mRNA measured in control mice. The Fru-1,6-P2ase mRNA abundance was not affected by vitamin A deficiency. The decrease in hepatic PEPCK and 6-PF-2-K/Fru-2,6-P2ase mRNA levels was reversed by treatment with all-trans RA within 3 h of administration. In mice fed the control diet, food deprivation for 15 h resulted in PEPCK mRNA levels that were 3.5-fold higher, Fru-1,6-P2ase mRNA levels that were 2-fold higher, and 6-PF-2-K/Fru-2,6-P2ase mRNA levels that were 3.4-fold higher than in fed mice. Vitamin A-deficient mice did not respond to food deprivation with induced PEPCK mRNA levels, whereas 6-PF-2-K/Fru-2,6-P2ase and Fru-1,6-P2ase mRNA levels were induced. The pattern of 6-PF-2-K/Fru-2,6-P2ase mRNA abundance with vitamin A deficiency and food deprivation was complex and different from that for either PEPCK or Fru-1,6-P2ase transcripts. The cAMP-responsiveness of the PEPCK gene in vitamin A-deficient mice was tested. Vitamin A deficiency caused a significant reduction in cAMP stimulation of PEPCK mRNA levels in liver. These results in the whole animal indicate that vitamin A regulation of the hepatic PEPCK gene is physiologically important; without adequate vitamin A nutriture, stimulation of the PEPCK gene by food deprivation or cAMP treatment is inhibited in the liver.

CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP alpha) is required for the thyroid hormone but not the retinoic acid induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene transcription

Transcription of the gene for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is stimulated by cAMP, the thyroid hormone tri-iodothyronine (T3) and retinoic acid (RA). Regulation of PEPCK transcription by T3 involves two sites in the promoter including a thyroid-hormone-response element (TRE) and a CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) binding site called P3I. Mutation of either the TRE or P3I eliminates the T3 response. In this study, we examined the role of C/EBPs in the induction of PEPCK transcription by T3 and RA. PEPCK-CAT vectors were transfected into HepG2 cells. Co-transfection of a dominant negative C/EBP eliminated the T3 stimulation indicating that a member of the C/EBP family is required. To determine which C/EBP isoform was required, Gal4 fusion proteins were created that contained the Gal4 DNA-binding domain ligated to the transcriptional activation domain of C/EBP alpha, C/EBP beta or the cAMP-responsive-element-binding protein. A Gal4 DNA-binding site was introduced into the P3(I) site of the PEPCK-CAT vector. Only co-transfection of the Gal4-C/EBP alpha vector was able to restore T3 responsiveness to the PEPCK-CAT vector. The T3 and RA receptors are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily and bind to repeats of the AGGTCA motif. We found that the RA receptor can bind to sequences within the PEPCK-TRE and contribute to RA responsiveness of the PEPCK gene. However, the RA induction of PEPCK transcription was found to be independent of C/EBPs, further demonstrating the specificity of the involvement of C/EBP alpha in the T3 effect.

The orphan receptor COUP-TF binds to a third glucocorticoid accessory factor element within the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene promoter

The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene promoter contains a glucocorticoid response unit (GRU) that includes, as a linear array, two accessory factor binding sites (AF1 and AF2) and two glucocorticoid receptor binding sites. All of these elements are required for a complete glucocorticoid response. AF1 and AF2 also partially account for the response of the PEPCK gene to retinoic acid and insulin, respectively. A second retinoic acid response element was recently located just downstream of the GRU. In this study we show that mutation of the 3' half-site of this element results in a 60% reduction of the glucocorticoid response of PEPCK promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) fusion constructs in transient transfection assays, thus the half-site is now termed AF3. A variety of assays were used to show that chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor (COUP-TF) binds specifically to AF3 and that upstream stimulatory factor (USF) binds to an E-box motif located 2 base pairs downstream of AF3. Mutations of AF3 that diminish binding of COUP-TF reduce the glucocorticoid response, but mutation of the USF binding site has no effect. The functional roles of AF1, AF2, and AF3 in the glucocorticoid response were explored using constructs that contained combinations of mutations in all three elements. All three elements are required for a maximal glucocorticoid response, and mutation of any two abolish the response.

Essential cis-acting elements in rat uncoupling protein gene are in an enhancer containing a complex retinoic acid response domain

Transgenic mice were generated with a transgene containing the 211-base pair (bp) enhancer and 0.4 kilobase pairs of 5'-flanking DNA of the uncoupling protein (ucp) gene. Expression of this transgene was restricted to brown adipose tissue and was inducible by cold exposure or treatment of transgenic mice by norepinephrine, retinoic acid (RA), or CL-316,243 beta3-adrenoreceptor agonist. A search for retinoic acid response elements in the ucp gene enhancer was undertaken using mutagenesis and transfection of cultured cells with chloramphenicol acetyltransferase constructs. Deletion or mutations of several putative retinoic acid response elements were ineffective. Mutations of a TGAATCA region dramatically decreased the transcriptional activity in the presence of RA. In vitro this region was able to bind a complex containing proteins recognized by antibodies against Jun or Fos. Mutations of an adjacent region related to an inverted repeat of type 2 also markedly decreased RA effect. This region was able to bind in vitro retinoid X receptor alpha and retinoic acid receptor beta. The two regions form an activating region between bp -2421 and -2402 (referred to as the ucp gene-activating region), which has an enhancer activity but cannot confer RA response to a promoter. This response was obtained with a larger DNA fragment (bp -2489 to -2398) constituting a complex RA response domain.