Interaction Of P65 Research Articles

Cooperative interaction of p65 and C/EBPβ modulates transcription of BKV early promoter

Reactivation of the human polyomavirus BK (BKV) has emerged as an important cause of allograft rejection in renal transplant recipients. Expression of the viral early promoter that leads to production of T-antigen is the first event in viral lytic infection. In an effort to understand the mechanism involved in the activation of BKV early gene (BKV E) expression, we analyzed the promoter/enhancer region of the virus and identified binding motifs for the inducible transcription factors NF-κB and C/EBPβ, which are in juxtaposition to each other downstream from the early gene transcription initiation site. Results from transfection studies demonstrate that overexpression of the p65 subunit of NF-κB, but not C/EBPβ stimulates transcription of the BKV E promoter in CV-1 cells. Interestingly, low level expression of C/EBPβ showed a synergistic effect on p65 activation of the BKV E promoter, suggesting a functional cooperativity between these two regulators upon viral gene transcription. Results from DNA-binding studies showed the ability of p65 and C/EBPβ to bind independently with BKV DNA as removal of the binding site for p65 or C/EBPβ had no significant effect on the interaction of p65 and C/EBPβ with their motifs, respectively. Functional evaluation of the mutant promoter with no binding sites for either NF-κB or C/EBPβ showed that the observed synergism requires the p65 but not the C/EBPβ binding site, suggesting cross-talk between C/EBPβ and p65 in this event. Results from the co-expression of p65 and C/EBPβ showed no evidence for the formation of a DNA–protein complex containing both p65 and C/EBPβ, although results from protein–protein interaction studies verified the ability of C/EBPβ to interact with p65. A dominant-negative isoform of C/EBPβ which contains the DNA binding but not activation domain of full-length C/EBPβ cooperated with p65 in activating the BKV E promoter, suggesting a functional interaction between the b-ZIP domain of C/EBPβ and NF-κB.

Cis-Acting Element-specific Transcriptional Activity of Differentially Phosphorylated Nuclear Factor-κB

Phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) subunits emerges as a mechanism by which transcriptional activity of nuclear NF-kappa B complexes is regulated in an inhibitor kappa B-independent fashion. As the main transactivator, the p65 subunit of NF-kappa B has an outstanding position in the hierarchy of NF-kappa B proteins. p65 is a multiply phosphorylated protein with phosphorylation sites in the C-terminal transactivation domain and the N-terminal Rel homology domain (RHD). In this study, we describe two previously non-reported phospho-acceptor sites within the p65 RHD. We show that differential phosphorylation of serine residues within the RHD modulates transcriptional activity in a cis-acting element and promoter-specific context, thus leading to a phosphorylation state-dependent gene expression profile. RelA(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts reconstituted with wild-type p65 or p65 phosphorylation-deficient mutants showed a distinctive expression profile of synthetic kappa B-dependent reporters as well as endogenous genes. Hypophosphorylated p65 did not display cis-acting element-specific changes in DNA binding or dimerization behavior. This study shows for the first time that site-specific phosphorylation can target a transcription factor to a particular subset of genes.

HTLV-I Tax induces a novel interaction between p65/RelA and p53 that results in inhibition of p53 transcriptional activity

AbstractNuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation plays a critical role in oncogenesis by human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I), the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), and is indispensable for maintenance of the malignant phenotype. In T lymphocytes, Tax-mediated p53 inhibition is dependent on Tax activation of the NF-κB pathway and is linked to p53 phosphorylation. We now report that blocking NF-κB transcriptional activation in HTLV-I–transformed cells restores p53 activity. Further, using mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) null cells and antisense oligonucleotides to inhibit expression of NF-κB family members, we demonstrate that the p65 subunit of NF-κB is uniquely involved in p53 inhibition. Coimmunoprecipitation assays demonstrate an interaction between p65 and p53 in HTLV-I–transformed cells. In transient transfection assays, we demonstrate that Tax induces the p53-p65 interaction. Phosphorylation of p53 at serines 15 and 392 is critical for complex formation. Importantly, Tax-mediated p53 inhibition correlates with p65 and p53 interaction. By using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, we find that in HTLV-I–transformed cells p53 and p65 form a complex on the inactive, p53-responsive murine double minute 2 (MDM2) promoter. Consistent with reduced transcriptional activity, transcription factor IID (TFIID) binding is not observed. These studies identify a unique mechanism for p53 regulation by the p65/RelA subunit of NF-κB.

Novel sites in the p65 subunit of NF-κB interact with TFIIB to facilitate NF-κB induced transcription

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) transcription factors regulate a large number of genes in response to inflammation, infection and stressful conditions. In this study, we investigated whether NF-κB p65 regulates the transcription of target genes by interacting with components of the basal transcription machinery. We examined the interaction of p65 with the basal transcription factor IIB (TFIIB). Glutathione S-transferase pull down assays showed that the Rel homology domain of p65 is important for binding to TFIIB. Molecular modelling, together with the generation of specific point mutants, revealed that residues 41 R and 42 S in the Rel homology domain of p65 facilitate the interaction with TFIIB. Mutation of these residues showed a decrease in p65 induced transcription, suggesting that they are involved in a functional interaction with TFIIB.

Inhibition of the endothelial cell activation by antithrombin in vitro

We examined whether antithrombin (AT) inhibits tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced endothelial cell activation to elucidate molecular mechanism(s) of the anti-inflammatory activity of AT. AT inhibited the increase in E-selectin expression in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with TNF-alpha. In contrast, chemically modified AT that lacks affinity for heparin did not. AT inhibited the TNF-alpha-induced interaction of NF-kappaB p65 with p300, a homologue of cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP). AT increased both intracellular levels of cAMP and binding of phosphorylated-CREB to DNA in HUVECs. Forskolin showed the inhibitory effect similar to that of AT and pretreatment of HUVECs with KT-5720, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, reversed the inhibitory effect of AT. These observations suggested that AT inhibited the TNF-alpha-induced increase in E-selectin expression in HUVECs by inhibiting the interaction of NF-kappaB with CBP/p300 through cAMP-dependent protein kinase A-induced CREB activation. This inhibitory activity of AT might depend on its binding to heparin-like substances on the endothelial cell. Such an inhibitory effect of AT on TNF-alpha-induced endothelial cell activation might at least partly contribute to its anti-inflammatory activity.

Inhibition by antithrombin of cytokine-induced endothelial cell activation in vitro

Antithrombin (AT) is the physiological inhibitor of thrombin or other serine proteases of coagulation cascades. AT is also known to regulate inflammatory reactions. To determine whether AT inhibits cytokine-induced endothelial activation, we examined the effect of AT on an increase in endothelial cell adhesion molecules E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. AT inhibited increase in E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression induced by tumor necrosis factor-α. AT inhibited neither IκB degradation, nuclear translocation of NF-κB, nor nuclear binding activity of NF-κB. This suggests that AT did not inhibit the NF-κB pathway. AT inhibited physical interaction of p65 with p300, nuclear cofactor of NF-κB. Intracellular levels of cAMP increased by AT. These results suggest that AT inhibits endothelial cell activation by, at least in some part, inhibiting physical interaction of NF-κB with cAMP/p300 by increasing in intracellular levels of cAMP in endothelial cells.

Cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor interaction with nuclear factor-kappa B proteins in rat liver cells.

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) acts as an anti-inflammatory factor. To a large extent, this activity is exerted by the interference of pro-inflammatory nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) activity. In their respective inactive forms, both GR and NF-kappa B reside in the cytoplasm and translocate to the nucleus on relevant stimulation. Previously, p65, a component of the NF-kappa B complex, and GR have been shown to interact physically in vitro, and the interaction is assumed to take place in the nucleus of cells [McKay and Cidlowski (1999) Endocrine Rev. 20, 435-459]. We have studied the interaction between GR and NF-kappa B using in vivo -like conditions. Using immunoaffinity chromatography or immunoprecipitation, combined with Western blotting, we observed that, with endogenous protein levels in cytosolic extracts of rat liver and of H4-II-E-C3 hepatoma cells and in contrast with the current belief, p65, p50 and inhibitory kappa B alpha complex interact with GR, even in the absence of glucocorticoid or an inflammatory signal. The interaction between non-liganded/non-activated GR and p65/p50 has also been verified by both p65 and p50 co-immunoprecipitations. Intracellular localization studies, using Western blotting, revealed that glucocorticoids can decrease tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-induced nuclear entry of p65, whereas glucocorticoid-induced GR translocation was much less affected by TNFalpha. We were also able to demonstrate a nuclear interaction of GR and p65 and p50 using in vivo -like protein concentrations. Furthermore, nuclear GR interaction with heat-shock protein 90 was enhanced distinctly by TNFalpha treatment. In conclusion, our studies suggest a strong interconnectivity between the NF-kappa B and GR-signalling pathways where also, somewhat unexpectedly, a physical interaction in the cytosol constitutes an integral part of GR-NF-kappa B cross-talk.

Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibits transcription of the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene by interacting with nuclear factor kappaB.

Prolific generation of NO by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) can cause unintended injury to host cells during glomerulonephritis and other inflammatory diseases. While much is known about the mechanisms of iNOS induction, few transcriptional repressors have been found. We explored the role of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) proteins in interleukin (IL)-1beta- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)+interferon (IFN)-gamma-mediated iNOS induction in murine mesangial cells. Both stimuli induced rapid phosphorylation of STAT3 and sequence-specific STAT3 DNA-binding activity. Supershift assays with a STAT3 element probe demonstrated that nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 and p50 complexed with STAT3 in the DNA-protein complex. The direct interaction of STAT3 and NF-kappaB p65 was verified in vivo by co-immunoprecipitation and in vitro by pull-down assays with glutathione S-transferase-NF-kappaB p65 fusion protein and in vitro -translated STAT3alpha. Overexpression of STAT3 dramatically inhibited IL-1beta- or LPS+IFN-gamma-mediated induction of iNOS promoter-luciferase constructs that contained the wild-type iNOS promoter or ones harbouring mutated STAT-binding elements. In tests of indirect inhibitory effects of STAT3, overexpression of STAT3 dramatically inhibited the activity of an NF-kappaB-dependent promoter devoid of STAT-binding elements without affecting NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity. Thus STAT3, via direct interactions with NF-kappaB p65, serves as a dominant-negative inhibitor of NF-kappaB activity to suppress indirectly cytokine induction of the iNOS promoter in mesangial cells. These results provide a new model for the termination of NO production by activated iNOS following exposure to pro-inflammatory stimuli.

Glucocorticoids repress NF-kappaB-driven genes by disturbing the interaction of p65 with the basal transcription machinery, irrespective of coactivator levels in the cell.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used to combat inflammatory diseases. Their beneficial effect relies mainly on the inhibition of NF-kappaB- and/or AP-1-driven proinflammatory gene expression. Previously, we have shown that GCs repress tumor necrosis factor-induced IL-6 gene expression by an NF-kappaB-dependent nuclear mechanism without changing the DNA-binding capacity of NF-kappaB or the expression levels of the cytoplasmic inhibitor of NF-kappaB (IkappaB-alpha). In the present work, we investigate the effect of GC repression on different natural and/or recombinant NF-kappaB-driven reporter gene constructs in the presence of increasing amounts of various coactivator molecules, such as CREB-binding protein (CBP), p300, and SRC-1. We found that GCs maintain their repressive capacities, irrespective of the amount of cofactor present in the cell. Similar results were obtained for the reciprocal transrepression of a GC receptor (GR) element-driven reporter gene by p65. We demonstrate that neither the expression levels of p65 and CBP nor their physical association are affected by activated GR. Using Gal4 chimeras, we show that repression by GCs is specific for p65-mediated transactivation, ruling out competition for limiting nuclear factors as the major underlying mechanism of gene repression. In addition, the transactivation potential of a point-mutated Gal4-p65 variant with a decreased CBP interaction capability is still repressed by GR. Finally, we present evidence that the specificity of GC repression on p65-driven gene expression is codetermined by the TATA box context.

Chromium(VI) Inhibits the Transcriptional Activity of Nuclear Factor-κB by Decreasing the Interaction of p65 with cAMP-responsive Element-binding Protein-binding Protein

Chromium(VI) regulation of gene expression has been attributed to the generation of reactive chromium and oxygen species, DNA damage, and alterations in mRNA stability. However, the effects of Cr(VI) on signal transduction leading to gene expression are not resolved. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of Cr(VI) on basal and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced transcriptional competence of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in A549 human lung carcinoma cells. Pretreatment of A549 cells with nontoxic levels of Cr(VI) inhibited TNF-alpha-stimulated expression of the endogenous gene for interleukin-8 and of an NF-kappaB-driven luciferase gene construct, but not expression of urokinase, a gene with a more complex promoter. Chromium did not inhibit TNF-alpha-stimulated IkappaBalpha degradation or translocation of NF-kappaB-binding proteins to the nucleus. However, Cr(VI) pretreatments prevented TNF-alpha-stimulated interactions between the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB and the transcriptional cofactor cAMP-responsive element-binding protein-binding protein (CBP). This inhibition was not the result of an effect of chromium on the protein kinase A catalytic activity required for p65/CBP interactions. In contrast, Cr(VI) caused concentration-dependent increases in c-Jun/CBP interactions. These data indicate that nontoxic levels of hexavalent chromium selectively inhibit NF-kappaB transcriptional competence by inhibiting interactions with coactivators of transcription rather than DNA binding.

Synaptotagmin restores kinetic properties of a syntaxin-associated N-type voltage sensitive calcium channel

Abstract The voltage sensitive N-type calcium channel interacts functionally and biochemically with synaptotagmin (p65). N-type channel interaction with p65 is demonstrated in the Xenopus oocyte expression system, where p65 alters the steady state voltage inactivation of the N-channel, and fully restores the syntaxin-modified current amplitude and inactivation kinetics in a calcium dependent manner. In agreement with the functional results, GST-p65 fusion protein binds to a cytosolic region, amino acids 710–1090 of the N-type channel (N-loop 710–1090 ). The results of the combined approach provide a functional and biochemical basis for proposing that p65 interaction with the N-type channel brings p65 into a close association with a syntaxin-coupled channel. In turn, calcium entry through the liberated channel initiates fusion of the primed vesicles with the cell membrane at a short distance from the site of calcium entry. © 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Synaptotagmin restores kinetic properties of a syntaxin-associated N-type voltage sensitive calcium channel

The voltage sensitive N-type calcium channel interacts functionally and biochemically with synaptotagmin (p65). N-type channel interaction with p65 is demonstrated in the Xenopus oocyte expression system, where p65 alters the steady state voltage inactivation of the N-channel, and fully restores the syntaxin-modified current amplitude and inactivation kinetics in a calcium dependent manner. In agreement with the functional results, GST-p65 fusion protein binds to a cytosolic region, amino acids 710–1090 of the N-type channel (N-loop 710–1090). The results of the combined approach provide a functional and biochemical basis for proposing that p65 interaction with the N-type channel brings p65 into a close association with a syntaxin-coupled channel. In turn, calcium entry through the liberated channel initiates fusion of the primed vesicles with the cell membrane at a short distance from the site of calcium entry. © 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Interaction of the COOH-terminal Transactivation Domain of p65 NF-κB with TATA-binding Protein, Transcription Factor IIB, and Coactivators

We show that the transactivating COOH terminus of the p65 subunit of human transcription factor NF-kappa B directly binds the general transcription factors TFIIB and TATA-binding protein (TBP) in vitro. Interaction of p65 with TFIIB required the most COOH-terminal sequence repeat within TFIIB. A functional interaction of TFIIB with p65 was evident from assays in yeast cells. Cotransfection experiments in COS cells revealed that only overexpression of TBP was able to further stimulate p65-dependent transactivation of a reporter gene. The coexpression of neither TBP nor TFIIB was able to relieve squelching, indicating the involvement of additional factors in transactivation by p65. A cell-free assay using highly purified factors revealed a specific transcriptional stimulation through the COOH-terminal activation domain of NF-kappa B by at least one cofactor, PC1, isolated from HeLa cells. These data show that the potent acidic transactivation domains in the COOH terminus of p65 are able to functionally recruit various components of the basic transcription machinery as well as coactivators.

Requirement for nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B p65 and NF-interleukin-6 binding elements in the tumor necrosis factor response region of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor promoter

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a hematopoietic growth factor produced by mesenchymal and myeloid cells following activation by inflammatory stimuli. It has previously been shown that a region of the G-CSF promoter, (-200 to -165) containing the decanucleotide CK-1 element and two repeated sequences that resemble nuclear factor (NF)- interleukin-6 (IL-6) binding sites, is required for activation of the G- CSF gene by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-1 beta. We now show that the NF-kappa B p65 protein can bind to and activate this TNF response region. There are several unusual features of this p65 interaction with the TNF response region. First, NF-kappa B p65 but not the related NF-kappa B p50 binds to the CK-1 element and a p50/65 hybrid protein that relies on the p50 rel homology domain for DNA binding does not transactivate the TNF response region. Second, p65 transactivation of this region is cell specific and requires not only its own binding site but also the NF-IL6 consensus sites. NF-IL6 also binds to the TNF response region of the G-CSF promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift studies show that p65 and NF-IL6 can bind cooperatively to the TNF response region. The ability of this region to respond to TNF-alpha or p65 is correlated with the ability to form the p65/NF-IL6 ternary complex.

Requirement for Nuclear Factor (NF)-κB p65 and NF-Ifterleukin-6 Binding Elements in the Tumor Necrosis Factor Response Region of the Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Promoter

AbstractGranulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a hematopoietic growth factor produced by mesenchymal and myeloid cells following activation by inflammatory stimuli. It has previously been shown that a region of the G-CSF promoter, (-200 to -165) containing the decanucleotide CK-1 element and two repeated sequences that resemble nuclear factor (NF)-interleukin-6 (IL-6) binding sites, is required for activation of the G-CSF gene by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-1/β. We now show that the NF-kB p65 protein can bind to and activate this TNF response region. There are several unusual features of this p65 interaction with the TNF response region. First, NF-κB p65 but not the related NF-κB p50 binds to the CK-1 element and a p50/65 hybrid protein that relies on the p50 rel homology domain for DNA binding does not transactivate the TNF response region. Second, p65 transactivation of this region is cell specific and requires not only its own binding site but also the NF-IL6 consensus sites. NF-IL6 also binds to the TNF response region of the G-CSF promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift studies show that p65 and NF-IL6 can bind cooperatively to the TNF response region. The ability of this region to respond to TNF-α or p65 is correlated with the ability to form the p65/NF-IL6 ternary complex.

Phospholipid binding by a synaptic vesicle protein homologous to the regulatory region of protein kinase C

Neurotransmitters are released at synapses by the Ca2(+)-regulated exocytosis of synaptic vesicles, which are specialized secretory organelles that store high concentrations of neurotransmitters. The rapid Ca2(+)-triggered fusion of synaptic vesicles is presumably mediated by specific proteins that must interact with Ca2+ and the phospholipid bilayer. We now report that the cytoplasmic domain of p65, a synaptic vesicle-specific protein that binds calmodulin contains an internally repeated sequence that is homologous to the regulatory C2-region of protein kinase C (PKC). The cytoplasmic domain of recombinant p65 binds acidic phospholipids with a specificity indicating an interaction of p65 with the hydrophobic core as well as the headgroups of the phospholipids. The binding specificity resembles PKC, except that p65 also binds calmodulin, placing the C2-regions in a context of potential Ca2(+)-regulation that is different from PKC. This is a novel homology between a cellular protein and the regulatory domain of protein kinase C. The structure and properties of p65 suggest that it may have a role in mediating membrane interactions during synaptic vesicle exocytosis.