Characterization of the rat transforming growth factor alpha gene and identification of promoter sequences

From wavy hair to naked proteins: the role of transforming growth factor alpha in health and disease

Since its discovery in 1978 and cloning in 1984, transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α, TGFA) has been one of the most extensively studied EGF receptor (EGFR) ligands. In this review, we provide a historical perspective on TGFA-related studies, highlighting what we consider important advances related to its function in normal and disease states.

Transforming growth factor-α mediates estrogen-induced upregulation of glutamate transporter GLT-1 in rat primary astrocytes

Glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) plays a central role in preventing excitotoxicity by removing excess glutamate from the synaptic clefts. 17β-Estradiol (E2) and tamoxifen (TX), a selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, afford neuroprotection in a range of experimental models. However, the mechanisms that mediate E2 and TX neuroprotection have yet to be elucidated. We tested the hypothesis that E2 and TX enhance GLT-1 function by increasing transforming growth factor (TGF)-α expression and, thus, attenuate manganese (Mn)-induced impairment in astrocytic GLT-1 expression and glutamate uptake in rat neonatal primary astrocytes. The results showed that E2 (10 nM) and TX (1 μM) increased GLT-1 expression and reversed the Mn-induced reduction in GLT-1, both at the mRNA and protein levels. E2/TX also concomitantly reversed the Mn-induced inhibition of astrocytic glutamate uptake. E2/TX activated the GLT-1 promoter and attenuated the Mn-induced repression of the GLT-1 promoter in astrocytes. TGF-α knockdown (siRNA) abolished the E2/TX effect on GLT-1 expression, and inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (TGF-α receptor) suppressed the effect of E2/TX on GLT-1 expression and GLT-1 promoter activity. E2/TX also increased TGF-α mRNA and protein levels with a concomitant increase in astrocytic glutamate uptake. All ERs (ER-α, ER-β, and G protein-coupled receptor 30) were involved in mediating E2 effects on the regulation of TGF-α, GLT-1, and glutamate uptake. These results indicate that E2/TX increases GLT-1 expression in astrocytes via TGF-α signaling, thus offering an important putative target for the development of novel therapeutics for neurological disorders.

Activation of the human transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) gene by the hepatitis B viral X protein (HBx) through AP-2 sites

The HBx protein is known as a transactivator and potential oncogene, and TGF-alpha as a potent mitogen in hepatocellular carcinoma. By assays of serial deletion of the promoter of TGF-alpha gene and the cotransfection of HBx and AP-2 expression vectors, we observed that the HBx significantly activated the promoter activity through AP-2 sites located in the proximal region of the TGF-alpha promoter (-136 to -30). This effect was also observed in the heterologous promoter assay system containing AP-2 sites. The mutation analyses of three AP-2 sites in the promoter revealed that all three AP-2 sites contributed to the activation of the TGF-a gene in the presence of HBx. Accordingly, the mRNA level of TGF-alpha was significantly elevated in the HBx-expressing cell, HepG2-HBx and the HBV-producing cell, HepG2-K8. These results suggest that the HBx protein could increase the mitogenic effect of TGF-alpha by the transactivation of the gene through AP-2 binding sites and consequently, these interactions may accelerate the process of hepatocarcinogenesis.

The EGF/TGFalpha response element within the TGFalpha promoter consists of a multi-complex regulatory element

Autocrine TGFalpha is an important growth effector in the transformed phenotype. Growth stimulation of some colon cancer cells as well as other types of cancer cells is effected by activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Importantly, this receptor activation leads to further stimulation of TGFalpha transcription and increased peptide synthesis. However, the molecular mechanism by which TGFalpha transcription is activated is poorly understood. In this paper, we describe the localization of a cis-sequence within the TGFalpha promoter which mediates this stimulation. This region contains parallel cis-acting elements which interact to regulate both basal and EGF-induced TGFalpha expression. The well differentiated colon carcinoma cell line designated FET was employed in these studies. It produces autocrine TGFalpha but requires exogenous EGF in the medium for optimal growth. Addition of EGF to FET cells maintained in the absence of EGF resulted in a 2 - 3-fold increase of both TGF promoter activity and endogenous TGFalpha mRNA at 4 h. This addition of EGF also stimulated protein synthesis. The use of deletion constructs of the TGFalpha promoter in chimeras with chloramphenicol acetyl transferase localized EGF-responsiveness to between -247 and -201 within the TGFalpha promoter. A 25 bp sequence within this region conferred EGF-responsiveness to heterologous promoter constructs. Further use of deletion/mutation chimeric constructs revealed the presence of at least two interacting cis-elements, one binding a repressor activity and the other, an activator. Gel shift studies indicate the presence of distinct complexes representing activator and repressor binding, which are positively modulated by EGF. The type and amount of complexes formed by these proteins interact to regulate both the basal activity and EGF-responsiveness of the TGFalpha promoter. The interaction of an activator protein with an EGF-responsive repressor may serve to regulate the level of this progression-associated, transforming protein within tight limits.

Human keratinocytes and tumor-derived cell lines express alternatively spliced forms of transforming growth factor-alpha mRNA, encoding precursors lacking carboxyl-terminal valine residues

The human transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) gene is thought to contain five introns and six exons, encoding a transmembrane precursor (proTGF-alpha) from which the mature polypeptide is released by proteolytic cleavage. We identified a novel 32-nucleotide exon (exon alpha) within intron 5 and an alternative splice acceptor site in exon 6, splitting exon 6 into two segments: 6A and 6B. Therefore, in addition to wild type (wt) proTGF-alpha mRNA, which skips exon alpha, two novel proTGF-alpha variants are produced: Variant I (VaI), skipping exons alpha and 6A, and Variant II (VaII) which includes exon alpha and skips exon 6A. The only significant difference between variant and wt proTGF-alpha proteins is that the two wt carboxyl-terminal valines are replaced in the variants by five or four other amino acids, respectively. Both variant TGF-alpha mRNAs were readily detected in human keratinocytes and tumor-derived cell lines. Their protein products were cleaved as efficiently as wt TGF-alpha in response to the calcium ionophore A23187. However, both variants (but not wt) reduced serum requirements for proliferation in CHO cells. In addition, VaII-expressing CHO cells (not VaI or wt) formed foci in monolayer cultures. These results suggest that variant TGF-alpha precursors induce autonomous growth.

Investigation of tissue preparation conditions for non-radioactive in situ hybridization: localization of transforming growth factor-alpha message in rat kidney

A non-radioactive method of in situ hybridization was used to localize transforming growth factor-alpha mRNA in epithelial cells of collecting ducts and tubules in rat kidney tissue sections. The intensity and specificity of staining were assessed under a variety of tissue preparation conditions, including a direct comparison of paraffin against frozen sections. Under optimal conditions, both the signal strength and the cellular localization of the growth factor message were superior in paraffin sections. The staining method could also be used to localize the message in lung tissue, indicating that the procedure is generally applicable to other tissues. Our results indicate that the use of paraffin sections for nonradioactive in situ hybridization affords a number of advantages for the localization of specific messages in tissue sections.

Regulation of transforming growth factor alpha expression in a growth factor-independent cell line

Aberrant transcriptional regulation of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) appears to be an important contributor to the malignant phenotype and the growth factor independence with which malignancy is frequently associated. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms responsible for dysregulation of TGF alpha expression in the malignant phenotype. In this paper, we report on TGF alpha promoter regulation in the highly malignant growth factor-independent cell line HCT116. The HCT116 cell line expresses TGF alpha and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) but is not growth inhibited by antibodies to EGFR or TGF alpha. However, constitutive expression of TGF alpha antisense RNA in the HCT116 cell line resulted in the isolation of clones with markedly reduced TGF alpha mRNA and which were dependent on exogenous growth factors for proliferation. We hypothesized that if TGF alpha autocrine activation is the major stimulator of TGF alpha expression in this cell line, TGF alpha promoter activity should be reduced in the antisense TGF alpha clones in the absence of exogenous growth factor. This was the case. Moreover, transcriptional activation of the TGF alpha promoter was restored in an antisense-TGF alpha-mRNA-expressing clone which had reverted to a growth factor-independent phenotype. Using this model system, we were able to identify a 25-bp element within the TGF alpha promoter which conferred TGF alpha autoregulation to the TGF alpha promoter in the HCT116 cell line. In the TGF alpha-antisense-RNA-expressing clones, this element was activated by exogenous EGF. This 25-bp sequence contained no consensus sequences of known transcription factors so that the TGF alpha or EGF regulatory element within this 25-bp sequence represents a unique element. Further characterization of this 25-bp DNA sequence by deletion analysis revealed that regulation of TGF alpha promoter activity by this sequence is complex, as both repressors and activators bind in this region, but the overall expression of the activators is pivotal in determining the level of response to EGF or TGF alpha stimulation. The specific nuclear proteins binding to this region are also regulated in an autocrine-TGF alpha-dependent fashion and by exogenous EGF in EGF-deprived TGF alpha antisense clone 33. This regulation is identical to that seen in the growth factor-dependent cell line FET, which requires exogenous EGF for optimal growth. Moreover, the time response of the stimulation of trans-acting factor binding by EGF suggests that the effect is directly due to growth factor and not mediated by changes in growth state. We conclude that this element appears to represent the major positive regulator of TGF alpha expression in the growth factor-independent HCT116 cell line and may represent the major site of transcriptional dysregulation of TGF alpha promoter activity in the growth factor-independent phenotype.

Expression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) gene in mouse embryonic development

PURPOSE

The expression of genes for TGF-alpha, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the EGF receptor (EGFR) in mouse blastocysts was evaluated by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We evaluated the effects of TGF-alpha and EGF on the development of mouse embryo prior to implantation.

RESULTS

The results revealed the presence of transcripts of TGF-alpha and EGFR. However, EGF mRNA was not observed in repeated experiments. None of these growth factors influenced the rate of development from the two-cell stage to the blastocyst stage when added to the culture medium. These effects were further examined on measuring the incorporation of tritiated thymidine and leucine, providing indices of the synthesis of DNA and protein, respectively. A concentration of only 0.1 ng/ml of TGF-alpha, which shares a cell surface receptor with EGF, stimulated the synthesis of both DNA and protein. EGF at a concentration of 10 ng/ml stimulated the synthesis of DNA and protein by blastocysts. To explore autocrine effects of TGF-alpha on the rate of blastocoel expansion, TGF-alpha antisense oligodeoxynucleotides was used to reduce expression of the TGF-alpha gene. TGF-alpha at a concentration of 0.1 ng/ml stimulates the rate of blastocoel expansion in early cavitating mouse blastocysts. In contrast, TGF-alpha antisense oligonucleotides significantly reduced the rate of expansion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our present observations suggest that TGF-alpha/EGF and the EGFR may be involved in regulating embryonic development. In particular, TGF-alpha may serve as an autocrine factor in the regulation of embryonic development.

Characterization of the rat mdr2 promoter and its regulation by the transcription factor Sp1

The mdr2 gene encodes a P-glycoprotein that transports phospholipids across the canalicular membrane in hepatocytes. In this report we describe the isolation, sequencing and first functional characterization of the promoter of mdr2. Analysis of 1.6 kb of DNA upstream of the initiation of translation revealed that this sequence has a high GC content, lacks a TATA element and contains a number of putative transcription factor binding sites. We observed that transcription initiates at several sites between -290 and -463 and that this region was critical for promoter activity. Gel mobility shift assays indicated that Sp1 protein binds to a Sp1 consensus site located at -263. Co-expression of Sp1 protein with a reporter construct containing the -263 GC box demonstrated that Sp1 regulates transcription of this promoter. Expression of a non-functional Sp1 protein did not increase transcription from the mdr2 promoter. Mutation of the -263 GC box diminished the response of the promoter to Sp1 protein. Mutation of this site also decreased expression of this promoter in cells which normally express this gene. These data show that Spl has a role in the regulation of mdr2 expression.

p53 stimulates transcription from the human transforming growth factor alpha promoter: a potential growth-stimulatory role for p53

Physical and chemical agents can damage the genome. Part of the protective response to this damage is the increased expression of p53. p53, a transcription factor, controls the expression of genes, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Another protective mechanism is the proliferative response required to replace the damaged cells. This proliferation is likely to be signaled by growth factors. In this communication, we show that the transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) gene is a direct target for p53-mediated transcriptional activation. In a stable cell line containing an inducible p53 construct, p53 induction leads to a threefold accumulation of the native TGF-alpha mRNA. IN cotransfection assays using a TGF-alpha promoter reporter construct, we show that expression of wild-type but not mutant p53 increases transcriptional activity of the TGF-alpha promoter by approximately 2.5-fold. In vitro, wild-type p53 binds to a consensus binding site found in the proximal portion of the promoter, and this sequence is necessary for the p53 transcriptional response. Furthermore, this element confers p53 induction to the otherwise nonresponsive adenovirus major late promoter. In addition to these results, we found that the TGF-alpha promoter contains a nonconsensus but functional TATA box-binding protein-binding site approximately 30 bp upstream of the transcription start site. Although p53 can repress transcription from promoters containing a TATA box, the nonconsensus TGF-alpha TATA motif is resistant to this effect. On the basis of these results, we propose that p53 may play a dual role, which includes both the elimination of irreparably genetically damage cells and the proliferative response necessary for their replacement, in the response to physical-chemical damage.

The heparin-binding domain of amphiregulin necessitates the precursor pro-region for growth factor secretion

The five members of the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) family (EGF, transforming growth factor alpha [TGF-alpha], heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor [HB-EGF], betacellulin, and amphiregulin [AR]) are synthesized as transmembrane proteins whose extracellular domains are proteolytically processed to release the biologically active mature growth factors. These factors all activate the EGF receptor, but in contrast to EGF and TGF-alpha, the mature forms of HB-EGF and AR are also glycosylated, heparin-binding proteins. We have constructed a series of mutants to examine the influence of the distinct precursor domains in the biosynthesis of AR. The transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the precursor are not required for secretion of bioactive AR from either COS or mammary epithelium-derived cells, although proteolytic removal of the N-terminal pro-region is less efficient in the absence of the membrane anchor. Deletion of the N-terminal pro-region, however, results in rapid intracellular degradation of the molecule with no detectable secretion of active growth factor. AR secretion is preserved by replacing the native pro-region with the corresponding domain of the HB-EGF precursor but not with that of the TGF-alpha precursor. In the absence of any N-terminal pro-region, secretion of the molecule is restored by deleting the N-terminal heparin-binding domain of mature AR. Both EGF and TGF-alpha, in contrast, can be secreted without their pro-regions. However, if the protein is fused with the AR heparin-binding domain, TGF-alpha secretion is inhibited unless the AR pro-region is also present. We propose that the heparin-binding domain of mature AR necessitates the presence of a specific structural motif in an N-terminal pro-region to permit proper folding, and thus secretion, of a bioactive molecule.

The heparin-binding domain of amphiregulin necessitates the precursor pro-region for growth factor secretion

The five members of the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) family (EGF, transforming growth factor alpha [TGF-alpha], heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor [HB-EGF], betacellulin, and amphiregulin [AR]) are synthesized as transmembrane proteins whose extracellular domains are proteolytically processed to release the biologically active mature growth factors. These factors all activate the EGF receptor, but in contrast to EGF and TGF-alpha, the mature forms of HB-EGF and AR are also glycosylated, heparin-binding proteins. We have constructed a series of mutants to examine the influence of the distinct precursor domains in the biosynthesis of AR. The transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the precursor are not required for secretion of bioactive AR from either COS or mammary epithelium-derived cells, although proteolytic removal of the N-terminal pro-region is less efficient in the absence of the membrane anchor. Deletion of the N-terminal pro-region, however, results in rapid intracellular degradation of the molecule with no detectable secretion of active growth factor. AR secretion is preserved by replacing the native pro-region with the corresponding domain of the HB-EGF precursor but not with that of the TGF-alpha precursor. In the absence of any N-terminal pro-region, secretion of the molecule is restored by deleting the N-terminal heparin-binding domain of mature AR. Both EGF and TGF-alpha, in contrast, can be secreted without their pro-regions. However, if the protein is fused with the AR heparin-binding domain, TGF-alpha secretion is inhibited unless the AR pro-region is also present. We propose that the heparin-binding domain of mature AR necessitates the presence of a specific structural motif in an N-terminal pro-region to permit proper folding, and thus secretion, of a bioactive molecule.

Molecular cloning and tissue distribution of pig transforming growth factor alpha

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) was originally identified as a product of tumour tissues and transformed cells in culture. Although it is now clear that expression of this factor is not restricted to neoplastic cells, there remains relatively little information about the sites of expression of TGF alpha in normal tissues. Therefore, an amplified DNA fragment encoding the pig TGF alpha precursor was cloned by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) using RNA isolated from normal skin tissue as the template. Nucleotide sequence analysis predicts a 160-residue transmembrane polypeptide that differs from the rat, mouse and human TGF alpha precursors at 14, 15 and six sites respectively. The distribution of TGF alpha mRNA in a wide variety of pig tissues was analysed by RT-PCR, using oligonucleotide primers based on the pig TGF alpha cDNA sequence. TGF alpha transcripts were detected in RNA isolated from 17 of the 22 tissues analysed, including four previously unreported sites. Using an antibody raised against a synthetic TGF alpha peptide, we have immunolocalized TGF alpha protein to cells within the red pulp of the spleen and to the distal convoluted tubules of the kidney.

Tissue distribution of mRNA for heparin-binding epidermal growth factor

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) is a recently identified member of the EGF family. Mature HB-EGF is processed from a larger transmembrane precursor which can itself act as a cell-surface receptor for the internalization of diphtheria toxin into eukaryotic cells. However, to date there is no information available on the distribution of HB-EGF in mammalian tissues. We have therefore used reverse-transcription PCR to analyse the expression of HB-EGF mRNA in a wide range of tissues. HB-EGF transcripts were detected in RNA isolated from 15 of the 22 tissues obtained from adult pigs, which is consistent with the ability of diphtheria toxin to affect many body tissues.

Regulation of the Epstein-Barr virus DNA polymerase gene

The gene (pol) encoding the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA polymerase is a member of the "early" class of viral genes which are expressed shortly after activation of latent virus infection. First, mRNA from the EBV-producing cell line, B95-8, treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and sodium butyrate to induce lytic replication and expression of this gene was analyzed. Northern (RNA) analysis revealed a message of 3.7 kb found only in induced cells. 5' mapping of pol mRNA by S1 nuclease and primer extension analyses indicates that transcription initiates at tightly clustered sites within a G + C-rich region 126 bp upstream of the open reading frame. The same initiation region was identified in two other EBV-infected cell lines, P3HR1 and Raji, after induction. Second, a 1.29-kb genomic fragment containing this region, when cloned upstream of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene, demonstrated promoter activity in lymphoid cells cotransfected with pEBV-RZ, a genomic expression construct that includes genes for the EBV immediate-early transactivator proteins, BZLF-1 and BRLF-1. Within the upstream 1.29-kb sequence, two regions of 140 bp and 101 bp appear to be needed for promoter activity. These results demonstrate that unlike most EBV genes studied thus far, the pol gene contains multiple transcriptional start sites. The upstream regulatory region of the promoter for the pol gene does not contain canonical promoter elements such as TATA and CAAT boxes and, furthermore, is not constitutively active but requires transactivation by two or more viral proteins.

Molecular and functional analysis of the XPBC/ERCC-3 promoter: transcription activity is dependent on the integrity of an Sp1-binding site

The human XPBC/ERCC-3 gene, which corrects the excision-repair defect in xeroderma pigmentosum group B cells and the UV-sensitive CHO mutant 27-1 cells, appears to be expressed constitutively in various cell types and tissues. We have analysed the structure and functionality of the XPBC/ERCC-3 promoter. Transcription of the XPBC/ERCC-3 gene is initiated from heterogeneous sites, with a major startpoint mapped at position -54 (relative to the translation start codon ATG). The promoter region does not possess classical TATA and CAAT elements, but it is GC-rich and contains three putative Sp1-binding sites. In addition, there are two elements related to the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-response element (CRE) and the 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate-response element (TRE) in the 5'-flanking region. Transient expression analysis of XPBC/ERCC-3 promoter-CAT chimeric plasmids revealed that a 127-bp fragment, spanning position -129 to -3, is minimally required for the promoter activity. Transcription of the XPBC/ERCC-3 promoter depends on the integrity of a putative Sp1-binding site in close proximity to the major cap site. Band shift assays showed that this putative Sp1-binding site can interact specifically with a nuclear factor, most likely transcription factor Sp1 (or an Sp1-like factor) in vitro.

An analysis of vertebrate mRNA sequences: intimations of translational control

Five structural features in mRNAs have been found to contribute to the fidelity and efficiency of initiation by eukaryotic ribosomes. Scrutiny of vertebrate cDNA sequences in light of these criteria reveals a set of transcripts--encoding oncoproteins, growth factors, transcription factors, and other regulatory proteins--that seem designed to be translated poorly. Thus, throttling at the level of translation may be a critical component of gene regulation in vertebrates. An alternative interpretation is that some (perhaps many) cDNAs with encumbered 5' noncoding sequences represent mRNA precursors, which would imply extensive regulation at a posttranscriptional step that precedes translation.

Transcriptional initiation is controlled by upstream GC-box interactions in a TATAA-less promoter

Numerous genes contain TATAA-less promoters, and the control of transcriptional initiation in this important promoter class is not understood. We have determined that protein-DNA interactions at three of the four proximal GC box sequence elements in one such promoter, that of the hamster dihydrofolate reductase gene, control initiation and relative use of the major and minor start sites. Our results indicate that although the GC boxes are apparently equivalent with respect to factor binding, they are not equivalent with respect to function. At least two properly positioned GC boxes were required for initiation of transcription. Abolishment of DNA-protein interaction by site-specific mutation of the most proximal GC box (box I) resulted in a fivefold decrease in transcription from the major initiation site and a threefold increase in heterogeneous transcripts initiating from the vicinity of the minor start site in vitro and in vivo. Mutations that separately abolished interactions at GC boxes II and III while leaving GC box I intact affected the relative utilization of both the major and minor initiation sites as well as transcriptional efficiency of the promoter template in in vitro transcription and transient expression assays. Interaction at GC box IV when the three proximal boxes were in a wild-type configuration had no effect on transcription of the dihydrofolate reductase gene promoter. Thus, GC box interactions not only are required for efficient transcription but also regulate start site utilization in this TATAA-less promoter.

Transcriptional initiation is controlled by upstream GC-box interactions in a TATAA-less promoter

Numerous genes contain TATAA-less promoters, and the control of transcriptional initiation in this important promoter class is not understood. We have determined that protein-DNA interactions at three of the four proximal GC box sequence elements in one such promoter, that of the hamster dihydrofolate reductase gene, control initiation and relative use of the major and minor start sites. Our results indicate that although the GC boxes are apparently equivalent with respect to factor binding, they are not equivalent with respect to function. At least two properly positioned GC boxes were required for initiation of transcription. Abolishment of DNA-protein interaction by site-specific mutation of the most proximal GC box (box I) resulted in a fivefold decrease in transcription from the major initiation site and a threefold increase in heterogeneous transcripts initiating from the vicinity of the minor start site in vitro and in vivo. Mutations that separately abolished interactions at GC boxes II and III while leaving GC box I intact affected the relative utilization of both the major and minor initiation sites as well as transcriptional efficiency of the promoter template in in vitro transcription and transient expression assays. Interaction at GC box IV when the three proximal boxes were in a wild-type configuration had no effect on transcription of the dihydrofolate reductase gene promoter. Thus, GC box interactions not only are required for efficient transcription but also regulate start site utilization in this TATAA-less promoter.