Cellular Immediate-early Genes Research Articles

CAMKK2‐dependent AMPK activation is required to drive cell cycle progression and hepatocyte proliferation after partial hepatectomy in the rat

Liver regeneration is a unique repair response to tissue damage where normally quiescent liver cells reenter the cell cycle and undergo cell division, regaining the damaged or lost tissue, while maintaining the differentiated function of the tissue. In previous studies, we and others demonstrated that 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) in the rat leads to an instantaneous (within 30 sec) release of up to 25% of ATP from the remnant liver. Released ATP served to activate purinergic receptors that enhance cellular stress responses and immediate‐early gene expression. ATP loss was mediated at least in part by a transient opening of connexin hemichannels and activation of stress signals and cell cycle progression was inhibited by hemichannel blocking peptides. The low ATP levels persist through the cell cycle progression and tissue ATP levels did not recover until 24–48 hrs post‐PHx. In the current study, we assessed the intracellular signaling events initiated by ATP loss. The decline in tissue ATP levels was accompanied by a persistent increase in ATP/AMP ratio and a transient activation of AMPK in the remnant liver, which peaked within 1 min after PHx, but then declined to basal levels within 15 min, despite the persistence of a low ATP/AMP. A second, extended phase of AMPK activation occurred, which peaked at 12–24 hrs after 70% PHx without being accompanied by major changes in tissue ATP/AMP ratios. This secondary AMPK activation in the regenerating rat liver accompanied cell cycle progression and DNA synthesis through G1‐S phase. After 30% PHx, a model that exhibits the hepatocyte priming events, but does not display the synchronized cell cycle progression and proliferation response, the initial ATP release and signaling events were comparable, but the secondary peak of AMPK activation is absent in the 30% PHx. Treatment with STO‐609, a selective inhibitor of CAMKK2, suppressed the second AMPK activation peak and inhibited hepatocyte proliferation after 70% PHx, suggesting the importance of calcium signaling in the regenerating liver. We conclude that an AMP‐independent CAMKK2‐mediated activation of AMPK is essential for effective cell cycle progression after PHx.Support or Funding InformationSupported by AA018873This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Histone H2A monoubiquitylation and p38-MAPKs regulate immediate-early gene-like reactivation of latent retrovirus HTLV-1.

It is not understood how the human T cell leukemia virus human T-lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1), a retrovirus, regulates the in vivo balance between transcriptional latency and reactivation. The HTLV-1 proviral plus-strand is typically transcriptionally silent in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from infected individuals, but after short-term ex vivo culture, there is a strong, spontaneous burst of proviral plus-strand transcription. Here, we demonstrate that proviral reactivation in freshly isolated, naturally infected primary CD4+ T cells has 3 key attributes characteristic of an immediate-early gene. Plus-strand transcription is p38-MAPK dependent and is not inhibited by protein synthesis inhibitors. Ubiquitylation of histone H2A (H2AK119ub1), a signature of polycomb repressive complex-1 (PRC1), is enriched at the latent HTLV-1 provirus, and immediate-early proviral reactivation is associated with rapid deubiquitylation of H2A at the provirus. Inhibition of deubiquitylation by the deubiquitinase (DUB) inhibitor PR619 reverses H2AK119ub1 depletion and strongly inhibits plus-strand transcription. We conclude that the HTLV-1 proviral plus-strand is regulated with characteristics of a cellular immediate-early gene, with a PRC1-dependent bivalent promoter sensitive to p38-MAPK signaling. Finally, we compare the epigenetic signatures of p38-MAPK inhibition, DUB inhibition, and glucose deprivation at the HTLV-1 provirus, and we show that these pathways act as independent checkpoints regulating proviral reactivation from latency.

Valpromide Inhibits Lytic Cycle Reactivation of Epstein-Barr Virus.

ABSTRACTReactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) from latency into the lytic phase of its life cycle allows the virus to spread among cells and between hosts. Valproic acid (VPA) inhibits initiation of the lytic cycle in EBV-infected B lymphoma cells. While VPA blocks viral lytic gene expression, it induces expression of many cellular genes, because it is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. Here we show, using derivatives of VPA, that blockade of EBV reactivation is separable from HDAC inhibition. Valpromide (VPM), an amide derivative of valproic acid that is not an HDAC inhibitor, prevented expression of two EBV genes, BZLF1 and BRLF1, that mediate lytic reactivation. VPM also inhibited expression of a viral late gene, but not early genes, when BZLF1 was exogenously expressed. Unlike VPA, VPM did not activate lytic expression of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. Expression of cellular immediate-early genes, such as FOS and EGR1, is kinetically upstream of the EBV lytic cycle. VPM did not activate expression of these cellular immediate-early genes but decreased their level of expression when induced by butyrate, an HDAC inhibitor. VPM did not alter expression of several other cellular immediate-early genes, including STAT3, which were induced by the HDAC inhibitors in cells refractory to lytic induction. Therefore, VPM selectively inhibits both viral and cellular gene expression. VPA and VPM represent a new class of antiviral agents. The mechanism by which VPA and VPM block EBV reactivation may be related to their anticonvulsant activity.

Structural Basis of Arc Binding to Synaptic Proteins: Implications for Cognitive Disease

Arc is a cellular immediate-early gene (IEG) that functions at excitatory synapses and is required for learning and memory. We report crystal structures of Arc subdomains that form a bi-lobar architecture remarkably similar to the capsid domain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gag protein. Analysis indicates Arc originated from the Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposon family and was "domesticated" in higher vertebrates for synaptic functions. The Arc N-terminal lobe evolved a unique hydrophobic pocket that mediates intermolecular binding with synaptic proteins as resolved in complexes with TARPγ2 (Stargazin) and CaMKII peptides and is essential for Arc's synaptic function. A consensus sequence for Arc binding identifies several additional partners that include genes implicated in schizophrenia. Arc N-lobe binding is inhibited by small chemicals suggesting Arc's synaptic action may be druggable. These studies reveal the remarkable evolutionary origin of Arc and provide a structural basis for understanding Arc's contribution to neural plasticity and disease.

MiR-190 is upregulated in Epstein–Barr Virus type I latency and modulates cellular mRNAs involved in cell survival and viral reactivation

Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) is a prevalent human pathogen infecting over 90% of the population. Much of the success of the virus is attributed to its ability to maintain latency. The detailed mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of EBV latency remain poorly understood. A microRNA profiling study revealed differential expression of many cellular miRNAs between types I and III latency cells, suggesting cellular miRNAs may play roles in regulating EBV latency. mir-190 is the most differentially up-regulated miRNA in type I latency cells as compared with type III latency cells and the up-regulation appears to be attributed to EBER RNAs that express in higher levels in type I latency cells than type III cells. With the aide of a lentiviral overexpression system and microarray analysis, several cellular mRNAs are identified as potential targets of mir-190. By targeting TP53INP1, miR-190 enhances cell survival by preventing apoptosis and relieving G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Additionally, miR-190 down-regulates NR4A3, a cellular immediate-early gene for EBV reactivation, and inhibits the expression of the viral immediate-early gene bzlf1 and viral lytic DNA replication. Taken together, our data revealed a mechanism that EBV utilizes a cellular microRNA to promote host cell survival and prevent virus from entering lytic life cycle for latency maintenance.

Cellular Immediate-Early Gene Expression Occurs Kinetically Upstream of Epstein-Barr Virus bzlf1 and brlf1 following Cross-Linking of the B Cell Antigen Receptor in the Akata Burkitt Lymphoma Cell Line

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) lytic activator genes bzlf1 and brlf1 are conventionally referred to as immediate-early (IE) genes. However, previous studies showed that the earliest expression of these genes was blocked by cycloheximide when the EBV lytic cycle was induced by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and protein kinase C agonists. Anti-IgG activates a complex signal transduction pathway that leads to EBV lytic activation in the Akata cell line. Here we demonstrate that in Akata cells, where lytic cycle activation occurs very rapidly after anti-IgG treatment, de novo protein synthesis is also required for induction of bzlf1 and brlf1 expression. New protein synthesis is required up to 1.25 h after application of anti-IgG; bzlf1 and brlf1 mRNAs can be detected 1.5 h after anti-IgG. Five cellular IE genes were shown to be expressed by 1 h after addition of anti-IgG, and their expression preceded that of bzlf1 and brlf1. These include early growth response genes (egr1, egr2, and egr3) and nuclear orphan receptors (nr4a1 and nr4a3). These genes were activated by anti-IgG treatment of Akata cells with and without the EBV genome; therefore, their expression was not dependent on expression of any EBV gene product. EGR1, EGR2, and EGR3 proteins were kinetically upstream of ZEBRA and Rta proteins. Expression of EGR1, ZEBRA, and Rta proteins were inhibited by bisindolylmaleimide X, a selective inhibitor of PKC. The findings suggest a revised model in which the signal transduction cascade activated by cross-linking of the B cell receptor induces expression of cellular IE genes, such as early growth response and nuclear orphan receptor genes, whose products, in turn, regulate bzlf1 and brlf1 expression.

176 – Stargazin involvement with bipolar disorder and response to lithium treatment

Arc is a cellular immediate-early gene (IEG) that functions at excitatory synapses and is required for learning and memory. We report crystal structures of Arc subdomains that form a bi-lobar architecture remarkably similar to the capsid domain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gag protein. Analysis indicates Arc originated from the Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposon family and was “domesticated” in higher vertebrates for synaptic functions. The Arc N-terminal lobe evolved a unique hydrophobic pocket that mediates intermolecular binding with synaptic proteins as resolved in complexes with TARPγ2 (Stargazin) and CaMKII peptides and is essential for Arc’s synaptic function. A consensus sequence for Arc binding identifies several additional partners that include genes implicated in schizophrenia. Arc N-lobe binding is inhibited by small chemicals suggesting Arc’s synaptic action may be druggable. These studies reveal the remarkable evolutionary origin of Arc and provide a structural basis for understanding Arc’s contribution to neural plasticity and disease.

Measles virus enhances the expression of cellular immediate-early genes and DNA-binding of transcription factor AP-1 in lung epithelial A549 cells

In this work we investigated the effect of measles virus (MV) infection on the expression of immediate-early genes junB, c-jun and c-fos mRNA as well as AP-1 DNA-binding activity in the lung epithelial-like adenocarcinoma cell line A549. The transcription factor AP-1, which is a group of dimeric complexes of the Fos and Jun family proteins, is an important regulator in many cellular responses to different extracellular stimuli. Membrane cofactor protein CD46, which acts as a receptor for laboratory-adapted and vaccine strains of MV, has been reported to associate with beta1 integrin molecules, which are known to trigger signaling events and activate immediate-early genes. The expression of junB and c-jun mRNA was rapidly induced by MV. It was observed already at 1 h postinfection and detected again at the later phase of infection. Moreover, the expression of c-fos mRNA seemed to be weak and transient. The early induction was apparently associated with MV binding and CD46 clustering, whereas the later induction coincided with virus replication. MV infection also enhanced the activation of AP-1 DNA-binding. Our results suggest that changes in the expression of immediate-early genes and in the activation of AP-1 DNA-binding may have an important role in many cellular events detected in MV-infected cells.

Serum response factor is required for immediate-early gene activation yet is dispensable for proliferation of embryonic stem cells.

Addition of serum to mitogen-starved cells activates the cellular immediate-early gene (IEG) response. Serum response factor (SRF) contributes to such mitogen-stimulated transcriptional induction of many IEGs during the G0-G1 cell cycle transition. SRF is also believed to be essential for cell cycle progression, as impairment of SRF activity by specific antisera or antisense RNA has previously been shown to block mammalian cell proliferation. In contrast, Srf(-/-) mouse embryos grow and develop up to E6.0. Using the embryonic stem (ES) cell system, we demonstrate here that wild-type ES cells do not undergo complete cell cycle arrest upon serum withdrawal but that they can mount an efficient IEG response. This IEG response, however, is severely impaired in Srf(-/-) ES cells, providing the first genetic proof that IEG activation is dependent upon SRF. Also, Srf(-/-) ES cells display altered cellular morphology, reduced cortical actin expression, and an impaired plating efficiency on gelatin. Yet, despite these defects, the proliferation rates of Srf(-/-) ES cells are not substantially altered, demonstrating that SRF function is not required for ES cell cycle progression.

Ca2+-dependent Gene Expression Mediated by MEF2 Transcription Factors

Ca(2+) induction of a subset of cellular and viral immediate-early activation genes in lymphocytes has been previously mapped to response elements recognized by the MEF2 family of transcription factors. Here, we demonstrate that Ca(2+) activation of MEF2 response elements in T lymphocytes is mediated in synergy by two Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent enzymes, the phosphatase calcineurin, and the kinase type IV/Gr (CaMKIV/Gr), which promote transcription by the MEF2 family members MEF2A and MEF2D. Calcineurin up-regulates the activity of both factors by an NFAT-dependent mechanism, while CaMKIV/Gr selectively and independently activates MEF2D. These results identify MEF2 proteins as effectors of a pathway of gene induction in T lymphocytes which integrates diverse Ca(2+) activation signals and may be broadly operative in several tissues.

A gene expression approach to mapping the functional maturation of the hippocampus

Previous studies have shown an association among seizures, neuronal death and the expression of cellular immediate-early genes (cIEG). To understand further the relationship between these processes, we investigated the ability of kainic acid (KAI) to induce behavioral responses and gene expression in the hippocampus of developing fos– lacZ transgenic mice. Despite the fact that KAI elicited seizure-like activity from P2 onwards, Fos–lacZ was first detected at P5 in CA3 pyramidal neurons. Thus, intense behavioral responses were not invariably associated with fos– lacZ expression. Furthermore, while adult CA3 neurons are highly susceptible to KAI toxicity, they are resistant at P5. Therefore, the presence of Fos–lacZ in CA3 neurons is not necessarily predictive of their fate. By P10, Fos–lacZ was induced in CA3 neurons and in the most mature granule neurons of the dentate gyrus (DG). Between P15 and P20, KAI induced fos– lacZ in all CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons and most granule neurons of the DG. This stereotypical pattern of fos– lacZ expression mirrors the ontogeny of hippocampal circuitry and glutamate signalling. Thus the fos– lacZ mice can be used to map the functional maturation of the nervous system with single cell resolution. The scope of this approach was extended by administration of additional chemoconvulsants to fos– lacZ mice and by analysis of fos– lacZ transgenic mice with mutations in their FAP site. These additional studies revealed anatomical and mechanistic differences in glutamate receptor-mediated transcriptional responses in the nervous system.

Echovirus 1 Infection Induces both Stress- and Growth-Activated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathways and Regulates the Transcription of Cellular Immediate-Early Genes

We have previously shown that echovirus 1 (EV1) infection increases the mRNA levels of cellular immediate-early (IE) genes in host cells. Here we provide further evidence that the induction ofjunB,c-jun,and c-fosgenes is due to active viral macromolecular synthesis rather than to the interaction of EV1 with its receptor, α2β1integrin. Nuclear run-on transcription assays indicated that differences in mRNA levels in infected and uninfected cells are brought about by regulation at the transcriptional level. EV1 infection induced the phosphorylation of both the stress-related p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the growth signal-related ERK1/2 MAPKs. Studies with selective MAPK inhibitors revealed that p38 was the main inducer ofjunBexpression, whereas both MAPK pathways were involved in the induction of c-fos.Activation of AP-1 genes was also observed to occur during infections with other enteroviruses and with Semliki Forest A7(74) virus, suggesting that the phosphorylation of MAPKs and induction of AP-1 gene expression may be important regulators of host cell behavior during viral infections.

MPTP-Parkinsonism is accompanied by persistent expression of a Δ-FosB-like protein in dopaminergic pathways

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the relatively selective and progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. During the early stages of PD, there are marked compensatory changes in the dopaminergic system, although little is known of how these responses are orchestrated. Since the induction of cellular immediate-early genes (cIEG) has been linked to adaptive responses in the nervous system, we examined their expression in the N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) murine model of PD. MPTP elicited an induction of c- fos, fosB, Δ- fosB and c- jun mRNAs in the striatum that persisted for 24 h. There was a parallel increase in AP-1-like DNA binding activity for up to 7 days post-treatment. At 7 days, AP-1 complexes were specifically supershifted with antisera to FosB and JunD. Immunoblotting of MPTP-treated striata with a FosB-specific antiserum revealed elevated levels of ∼35 and ∼46 kDa cross-reactive proteins. Only the 35 kDa protein was increased at 7 days. Thus, the persistent AP-1 complex seen in the MPTP-treated striatum is composed of JunD and a 35 kDa FosB-related protein, possibly Δ-FosB. In situ hybridization revealed elevated expression of fosB and Δ- fosB in the MPTP-treated brain. Expression of both transcripts was highest in ventral striatum, nucleus accumbens and other terminal fields of the mesolimbic system, such as the olfactory tubercle and Islands of Calleja. Thus, the increased fosB expression accompanying MPTP treatment was predominantly associated with dopaminergic pathways. Since FosB was expressed in both vulnerable and spared neuronal populations, we suggest that Δ-FosB–JunD heterodimers play a role in the adaptive response to MPTP neurotoxicity.

Induction of FOS and JUN proteins during focal epilepsy: congruences with and differences to [14C]deoxyglucose metabolism.

fos and jun belong to multigene families coding for transcription factors. These cellular immediate-early genes (IEGs) are thought to be involved in coupling neuronal excitation to changes of target gene expression. Immunocytochemistry with specific antisera was used to assess regional levels of five IEG-encoded proteins (c-FOS, FOS B, c-JUN, JUN B and JUN D) in a rat model of penicillin-induced focal epilepsy. To assess whether brain regions with post-ictal de novo transcription factor synthesis correspond to those areas with increased glucose metabolism, IEG expression patterns were compared with [14C]deoxyglucose autoradiography performed in a subset of animals. The results demonstrated marked induction of c-FOS, FOS B, c-JUN and JUN B but not JUN D in the cortical epileptic focus. Thereby, individual IEG-encoded proteins exhibited differential temporal and spatial expression patterns. Within the epileptic focus, IEG expression correlated with increased glucose metabolism. In contrast, IEG induction was not observed in brain areas distant from the epileptic focus that also demonstrated increased glucose metabolism, such as homotopic contralateral motor cortex and ipsilateral thalamic nuclei. These findings indicate that in focal epilepsy changes of the genetic programme are restricted to neurons of the epileptic focus. In contrast, the increased [14C]deoxyglucose metabolism in contralateral motor cortex and ipsilateral thalamus seems to indicate functional changes.

High conservation of the serum response factor within Metazoa: cDNA from the sponge Geodia cydonium

Abstract A cDNA clone encoding the sequence-specific DNA binding protein, serum response factor (SRF), has been isolated and analysed from the marine sponge Geodia cydonium . The 1443 bp long cDNA comprises an open reading frame of 1149 bp, from which an aa sequence with a M r 42,149 can be deduced. Sequence comparisons revealed that the aa sequence shares high homology to human and Xenopus laevis SRFs. Like these vertebrate sequences also the sponge sequence displays the MADS-box motif present in the DNA-binding domain. The SRF, and also other transcription factors, such as ternary complex factors, recognizes the serum response element (CArG box) in promoter regions of a series of cellular immediate-early genes, whose expression is controlled by growth factors. A related CArG box sequence is present in sponge gene, encoding a receptor tyrosine kinase. Expression of SRF is strongly regulated by temperature stress; after incubation of the sponge at high temperature, the 1.6 kb transcript of SRF is downregulated. It is suggested that the SRF is involved in the transcriptional regulatory circuits, which control the response of the animal to altered environmental conditions.

High conservation of the serum response factor within Metazoa: cDNA from the spongeGeodia cydonium

A cDNA clone encoding the sequence-specific DNA binding protein, serum response factor (SRF), has been isolated and analysed from the marine sponge Geodia cydonium . The 1443 bp long cDNA comprises an open reading frame of 1149 bp, from which an aa sequence with a M r 42,149 can be deduced. Sequence comparisons revealed that the aa sequence shares high homology to human and Xenopus laevis SRFs. Like these vertebrate sequences also the sponge sequence displays the MADS-box motif present in the DNA-binding domain. The SRF, and also other transcription factors, such as ternary complex factors, recognizes the serum response element (CArG box) in promoter regions of a series of cellular immediate-early genes, whose expression is controlled by growth factors. A related CArG box sequence is present in sponge gene, encoding a receptor tyrosine kinase. Expression of SRF is strongly regulated by temperature stress; after incubation of the sponge at high temperature, the 1.6 kb transcript of SRF is downregulated. It is suggested that the SRF is involved in the transcriptional regulatory circuits, which control the response of the animal to altered environmental conditions.

Echovirus 1 replication, not only virus binding to its receptor, VLA-2, is required for the induction of cellular immediate-early genes.

Induction of immediate-early genes c-jun, junB, and c-fos was demonstrated during echovirus 1 infection in a human osteogenic sarcoma (HOS) cell line. Tenfold induction was seen at 10 h postinfection, corresponding approximately to the end of the first replication cycle of the virus. Echovirus 1 uses VLA-2 integrin as its cellular receptor, and ligand binding by integrin is known to trigger signal transduction pathways ultimately activating immediate-early genes. In the present study, however, VLA-2 binding alone was not sufficient to induce their expression; viral replication was needed. This conclusion was based on the observations that no stimulation of the immediate-early genes occurred in the MG-63 cell line where the virus attached only to VLA-2 but was not able to replicate and that induction of these genes was observed when the HOS cells were infected with echovirus type 7, known to use a different cellular receptor. Induction was not seen in the presence of the antiviral compound WIN 54954, which evidently inhibits the uncoating but not receptor binding of echovirus 1, suggesting that viral replication triggers the activation of the immediate-early genes. The induction of these genes may have a role in viral replication and in the pathogenesis of infection.

Rhythms of cellular immediate-early gene expression: more than just an early response.

Rhythms of cellular immediate-early gene expression: more than just an early response.

Cellular immediate-early genes and cell death in the nervous system.

Cellular immediate-early genes and cell death in the nervous system.

Dopamine D 3 receptors are not involved in the induction of c- fos mRNA by neuroleptic drugs: comparison of the dopamine D 3 receptor antagonist GR103691 with typical and atypical neuroleptics

The effect of acute and chronic administration of dopamine receptor antagonists on the expression of mRNA encoding the cellular immediate-early gene c- fos was investigated in rat brain by in situ hybridization using 35S-labelled oligonucleotide probes. The selective dopamine D 3 receptor antagonist GR103691 had no effect on the level of c- fos mRNA after acute or chronic treatment. Acute treatment with haloperidol increased the level of c- fos mRNA in the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens shell and core, olfactory tubercle and parietal cortex. After chronic treatment with haloperidol increases in the level of c- fos mRNA in the caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens core were no longer observed. The increase in the level of c- fos mRNA in the nucleus accumbens shell was attenuated but still significantly elevated above the level measured in vehicle-treated animals. In the olfactory tubercle, parietal cortex, frontal cortex and cingulate cortex the level of c- fos mRNA was decreased after chronic haloperidol treatment. Acute sulpiride treatment reduced the level of c- fos mRNA in the olfactory tubercle, parietal cortex and cingulate cortex. After chronic treatment with sulpiride the level of c- fos mRNA was reduced in the dorsal caudate-putamen only. Acute clozapine treatment increased the level of c- fos mRNA in the nucleus accumbens shell and islands of Calleja. After chronic treatment with clozapine the level of c- fos mRNA remained elevated in the islands of Calleja but not in the nucleus accumbens shell. These results indicate that acute and chronic blockade of dopamine D 3 receptors does not cause induction of c- fos transcription in limbic, striatal or cortical regions of rat brain. This study also demonstrated that acute blockade of dopamine receptors with haloperidol, sulpiride and clozapine induced different regionally specific patterns of c- fos expression which were altered after chronic blockade.