Mechanism of regulation of FGFR4 gene expression by transcription factor Sp1 in human infant rhabdomyosarcomas

Abstract

Objective To investigate the role of transcription factor Spl in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 （FGFR4） expression regulation and to obtain insight into the regulatory mechanisms governing FGFR4 gene regulation and overexpression in human infant rhabdomyosarcomas. Methods By using a series of cellular and molecular biology methods like transfection, Northern blotting, Western blotting etc. , the mRNA and protein expression of FGFR4 was detected. The regulatory effects of Spl on the FG- FR4 expression in the human rhabdomyosarcoma-derived cells were analyzed. Results Spl could be express highly in the human rhabdomyosarcoma-derived cells, and its binding to FGFR4 promoter could upregulate the FGFR4 expression, which was influenced by the methylation of FGFR4 promoter. Condusion Spl induces the expression of FGFR4 in human infant rhabdomyosareomas by directly binding of Spl with DNA cis elements in FGFR4 gene promoter region. Key words: Transcription factor; Gene expression ; Rhabdomyosarcomas