Serum Response Element Sequences Research Articles

PFKFB3 activation in cancer cells by the p38/MK2 pathway in response to stress stimuli

PFK-2/FBPase-2 (6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase) catalyses the synthesis and degradation of Fru-2,6-P2 (fructose 2,6-bisphosphate), a key modulator of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. The PFKFB3 gene is involved in cell proliferation owing to its role in carbohydrate metabolism. In the present study we analysed the mechanism of regulation of PFKFB3 as an immediate early gene controlled by stress stimuli that activates the p38/MK2 [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)-activated protein kinase 2] pathway. We report that exposure of HeLa and T98G cells to different stress stimuli (NaCl, H2O2, UV radiation and anisomycin) leads to a rapid increase (15-30min) in PFKFB3 mRNA levels. The use of specific inhibitors in combination with MK2-deficient cells implicate control by the protein kinase MK2. Transient transfection of HeLa cells with deleted gene promoter constructs allowed us to identify an SRE (serum-response element) to which SRF (serum-response factor) binds and thus transactivates PFKFB3 gene transcription. Direct binding of phospho-SRF to the SRE sequence (-918nt) was confirmed by ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipiation) assays. Moreover, PFKFB3 isoenzyme phosphorylation at Ser461 by MK2 increases PFK-2 activity. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest a multimodal mechanism of stress stimuli affecting PFKFB3 transcriptional regulation and kinase activation by protein phosphorylation, resulting in an increase in Fru-2,6-P2 concentration and stimulation of glycolysis in cancer cells.

Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Tax Enhances Serum Response Factor DNA Binding and Alters Site Selection

Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia. The viral transforming protein Tax regulates the transcription of viral and cellular genes by interacting with cellular transcription factors and coactivators. The effects of Tax on cellular gene expression have an important impact on HTLV-1-mediated cellular transformation. Expression of the c-fos cellular oncogene is regulated by serum response factor (SRF), and Tax is known to induce c-fos gene expression by activating SRF-responsive transcription. SRF activates cellular gene expression by binding to a consensus DNA sequence (CArG box) located within a serum response element (SRE). Since SRF activates transcription of many growth regulatory genes, this pathway is likely to have a significant impact on Tax-mediated transformation. Here we demonstrate that Tax interacts with SRF and enhances the binding of SRF to SREs located in the c-fos, Nur77, and viral promoters. Also, we establish that in the presence of Tax, SRF selects more divergent CArG box sequences than in the absence of Tax, revealing a novel mechanism for regulating SRF-responsive gene expression. Finally, increased association of SRF with chromatin and specific promoters was observed in Tax-expressing cells, correlating with increased c-fos and Nur77 mRNA levels in Tax-expressing cells. These results suggest that Tax activates SRF-responsive transcription by enhancing its binding affinity to multiple different SRE sequences.

The single-strand DNA/RNA-binding protein, Purβ, regulates serum response factor (SRF)-mediated cardiac muscle gene expressionThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled The Cellular and Molecular Basis of Cardiovascular Dysfunction, Dhalla 70th Birthday Tribute.

Single-strand DNA-binding proteins, Puralpha and Purbeta, play a role in cell growth and differentiation by modulating both transcriptional and translational controls of gene expression. We have previously characterized binding of Puralpha and Purbeta proteins to a purine-rich negative regulatory (PNR) element of the rat cardiac alpha-myosin heavy chain (MHC) gene that controls cardiac muscle specificity. In this study we investigated the role of upstream sequences of the alpha-MHC promoter in Purbeta-mediated gene repression. In the transient transfection analysis overexpression of Purbeta revealed a negative regulatory effect on serum response factor (SRF)-dependent alpha-MHC and alpha-skeletal actin expression in muscle cell background. Contrary, in nonmuscle cells, Purbeta showed no repressive effect. The results obtained from gel-shift assays demonstrated a sequence specific competitive binding of Purbeta to the minus strand of the SRF-binding, CArG box sequences of different muscle genes, but not to the SRF-binding, SRE sequences of the c-fos gene. These element-specific associations of Purbeta with muscle CArG boxes may, in part, explain why muscle gene expression is downregulated in disease states in which Purbeta levels are elevated. This data also provide a mechanistic distinction between muscle CArG boxes and nonmuscle serum response element (SRE) sequences in terms of their affinity to bind to SRF and their ability to regulate cell-specific gene expression.

Effect of amphetamine and phencyclidine on DNA-binding activities of serum response and dyad symmetry elements

Acute administration of d-amphetamine sulphate (AMPH) and (1-[1-phenylcyclohexyl]piperidine hydrochloride) (phencyclidine; PCP) produces a characteristic spatio-temporal distribution of c-Fos protein in the brain. As transcriptional mechanisms underlying the induction of c-fos gene expression may be regulated in a stimulus-specific manner, we have analyzed the binding activities of serum response element (SRE), dyad symmetry element (DSE) and calcium response element (CRE), the major regulatory sites of the c-fos promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift showed that SRE binding activity was increased for 50–60%, 2–6 h after AMPH, while treatment with PCP resulted in light decrease of SRE binding activity throughout the same time period. Co-administration of AMPH and PCP induced gradual increase of SRE binding activity, reaching maximum (86%) at 6 h. Binding of nuclear proteins to DSE sequence was increased 1–2 h after administration of AMPH (72–87%) and remained elevated till the end of the time window observed. PCP and AMPH/PCP caused different temporal profile of DSE binding with peak (40–54%) 4–6 h after administration. In contrast, DNA-binding activity of the CRE sequences remained unchanged throughout the time period of 6 h under all conditions. Finally, supershift analysis clearly demonstrated presence of SRF and c-Fos protein in the transcriptional complexes bound to SRE and DSE sequences irrespective to AMPH, PCP or combined treatment. These findings also showed that the presence of c-Fos protein in SRE and DSE nucleocomplex support the hypothesis concerning autoregulation of c-fos gene expression during psychostimulant action in vivo.

The Rho effector, PKN, regulates ANF gene transcription in cardiomyocytes through a serum response element.

The low-molecular-weight GTP-binding protein RhoA mediates hypertrophic growth and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) gene expression in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Neither the effector nor the promoter elements through which Rho exerts its regulatory effects on ANF gene expression have been elucidated. When constitutively activated forms of Rho kinase and two protein kinase C-related kinases, PKN (PRK1) and PRK2, were compared, only PKN generated a robust stimulation of a luciferase reporter gene driven by a 638-bp fragment on the ANF promoter. This ANF promoter fragment contains a proximal serum response element (SRE) and an Sp-1-like element required for the transcriptional response to phenylephrine (PE). This response was inhibited by dominant negative Rho. The ability of dominant negative Rho to inhibit the response to PE and the ability of PKN to stimulate ANF reporter gene expression were both lost when the SRE was mutated. Mutation of the Sp-1-like element also attenuated the response to PKN. A minimal promoter driven by ANF SRE sequences was sufficient to confer Rho- and PKN-mediated gene expression. Interestingly, PKN preferentially stimulated the ANF versus the c-fos SRE reporter gene. Thus PKN and Rho are able to regulate transcriptional activation of the ANF SRE by a common element that could implicate PKN as a downstream effector of Rho in transcriptional responses associated with hypertrophy.

Growth hormone regulates ternary complex factors and serum response factor associated with the c-fos serum response element.

For insight into the mechanisms of gene regulation by growth hormone (GH), the regulation of transcription factors associated with the serum response element (SRE) located upstream of c-fos was examined. The SRE can mediate induction of reporter expression in response to GH. For insight into the mechanism by which GH regulates transcription factors, regulation of SRE-associated proteins by GH was examined. In nuclear extracts from 3T3-F442A fibroblasts, several SRE-binding complexes were identified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. GH treatment for 2-10 min transiently increased binding of two complexes; binding returned to control values within 30 min. The two GH-stimulated complexes were supershifted by antibodies against the serum response factor (SRF), indicating that they contained SRF or an antigenically related protein. One of the GH-stimulated complexes was supershifted by antibody against Elk-1, suggesting that it contains a ternary complex factor (TCF) such as Elk-1 in addition to SRF. Induction of binding by GH was lost when the SRF binding site in the SRE was mutated, and mutation of either the SRF or TCF binding site altered the pattern of protein binding to the SRE. Mutation of the SRF or TCF binding site in SRE-luciferase plasmids inhibited the ability of GH to stimulate reporter expression, supporting a role for both SRF and TCF in GH-induced transcription of c-fos via the SRE. The TCF family member Elk-1 is capable of mediating GH-stimulated transcription, since GH-stimulated reporter expression was mediated by the transcriptional activation domain of Elk-1. Consistent with this stimulation, GH rapidly and transiently stimulated the serine phosphorylation of Elk-1. The increase was evident within 10 min and subsided after 30 min. Taken together, these data indicate that SRF and TCF contribute to GH-promoted transcription of c-fos via the SRE and are consistent with GH-promoted phosphorylation of Elk-1 contributing to GH-promoted transcriptional activation via the SRE.

Demonstration of Trans-acting Factors Binding to the Promoter Region of the Testis-Specific Rat Protamine P1 Gene

Potential regulatory DNA elements within the rat protamine P1 promoter region have been identified using gel retardation assays and DNase I footprinting analysis with rat nuclear extracts obtained from different tissues. Distinctive gel shift bands are generated by rat nuclear extracts from mature testis, kidney, brain, spleen and liver, which bind to the cis-acting SRE (Serum response element) and Prot1C (Protamine 1 Consensus) oligonucleotide sequences [Queralt R. and Oliva R. Gene. 133 (1993) 197-204]. In vitro DNase I footprinting analysis demonstrates protection of the SRE region at positions −124 to −115. In addition, we have detected protection in two new regions adjacent to the SRE that we called SAP (SRE Adjoining Protection; nt −153 to −141) and SEP (SRE Extended Protection; nt −114 to −100), respectively. These sequences, SAP and SEP, show no apparent consensus homology with cis-acting elements of other known transcription factors. Two additional DNase I protected regions have also been found at positions +27 to +46 and +61 to +88, the first of which contains the sequence +42 TCGNNNNNGCCAA +30 recognized by nuclear factor I (NFI).

Determination of the Promoter Elements That Mediate Repression of c-fos Gene Transcription by Thyroid Hormone and Retinoic Acid Receptors

Basal and stimulated activity of the c-fos promoter is reduced by triiodothyronine (T3) and retinoic acid (RA) in GH1 cells. We examined the influence of these ligands on the activity of reporter constructs containing the AP-1 site, the serum response element (SRE) and the cyclic AMP responsive element (CRE) of the c-fos promoter under control of an heterologous promoter. T3 and RA decreased the response of AP-1 and SRE sequences to phorbol esters, forskolin or serum but they did not reduce basal or forskolin-stimulated activity mediated by the CRE. Therefore, repression of c-fos gene expression by T3 and RA receptors appears to be exerted through transcriptional interference with the SRE and the AP-1 binding site of the promoter.

Suppression of Ras transformation by serum response factor.

Serum response factor (SRF) is a nuclear transcription factor that binds to the serum response element (SRE) found in the promoter regions of a number of growth factor-inducible genes, as well as muscle-specific genes. The smooth muscle alpha-actin promoter contains two SRE sequences that can bind to SRF. Its expression is repressed in Ras-transformed fibroblast cells and derepressed in revertant cells. In this study, we demonstrate that SRF can activate alpha-actin expression in Ras-transformed cells and that overexpression of SRF in Ras-transformed cells can revert their transformed phenotype. The ability of SRF to bind to the SRE was required for this effect, since mutations that inhibit DNA binding abolish SRF's ability to activate alpha-actin expression and suppress transformation by the ras oncogene. These results show that SRF, thought to be involved in stimulation of cell growth through activation of growth factor-inducible genes, can actually have the opposite effect and suggest a novel mechanism for suppression of transformation by Ras.

The serum response element can mediate induction of c-fos by growth hormone.

The c-fos protooncogene is transcriptionally activated by a wide variety of agents including serum, growth factors, and phorbol esters. This induction is rapid and transient and is mediated through a number of identified promoter elements. Growth hormone (GH) is also known to induce transcription of c-fos in a variety of cell types including NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and 3T3-F442A preadipocytes. To identify DNA sequences in the c-fos gene regulated by GH, this study sought to determine whether induction of c-fos by GH involves previously identified c-fos promoter elements. A plasmid containing a growth factor-sensitive fragment of the upstream region of the c-fos promoter from -361 to -264 bp was tested for GH sensitivity. The fragment was cloned upstream of a human c-fos reporter [designated FOS by Human Gene Mapping 11 (1991)], which included basal promoter elements. In transiently transfected mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, the promoter fragment conferred GH sensitivity on the human c-fos reporter. To identify a specific GH-sensitive DNA sequence in this promoter, a serum response element (SRE)-reporter plasmid was tested and found to be stimulated by GH. GH was effective in inducing expression through the SRE over a range of physiological GH concentrations. Since GH was recently found to synergize with serum factors in inducing c-fos transcription, the effect of GH and serum on SRE function was examined for insight into the mechanism for such synergism. The combined effect of GH and serum to induce reporter expression through the SRE was greater than the added effects of GH and serum, indicating that the synergism between GH and serum in inducing c-fos involves the SRE sequence. These studies identify the SRE as one specific DNA sequence in the c-fos promoter functionally regulated by GH. It is notable that GH is effective at physiological concentrations. Furthermore, synergism in c-fos induction between GH and serum factors is evident through the SRE.

Functional antagonism between YY1 and the serum response factor.

The rapid, transient induction of the c-fos proto-oncogene by serum growth factors is mediated by the serum response element (SRE). The SRE shares homology with the muscle regulatory element (MRE) of the skeletal alpha-actin promoter. It is not known how these elements respond to proliferative and cell-type-specific signals, but the response appears to involve the binding of the serum response factor (SRF) and other proteins. Here, we report that YY1, a multifunctional transcription factor, binds to SRE and MRE sequences in vitro. The methylation interference footprint of YY1 overlaps with that of the SRF, and YY1 competes with the SRF for binding to these DNA elements. Overexpression of YY1 repressed serum-inducible and basal expression from the c-fos promoter and repressed basal expression from the skeletal alpha-actin promoter. YY1 also repressed expression from the individual SRE and MRE sequences upstream from a TATA element. Unlike that of YY1, SRF overexpression alone did not influence the transcriptional activity of the target sequence, but SRF overexpression could reverse YY1-mediated trans repression. These data suggest that YY1 and the SRF have antagonistic functions in vivo.

Functional antagonism between YY1 and the serum response factor.

The rapid, transient induction of the c-fos proto-oncogene by serum growth factors is mediated by the serum response element (SRE). The SRE shares homology with the muscle regulatory element (MRE) of the skeletal alpha-actin promoter. It is not known how these elements respond to proliferative and cell-type-specific signals, but the response appears to involve the binding of the serum response factor (SRF) and other proteins. Here, we report that YY1, a multifunctional transcription factor, binds to SRE and MRE sequences in vitro. The methylation interference footprint of YY1 overlaps with that of the SRF, and YY1 competes with the SRF for binding to these DNA elements. Overexpression of YY1 repressed serum-inducible and basal expression from the c-fos promoter and repressed basal expression from the skeletal alpha-actin promoter. YY1 also repressed expression from the individual SRE and MRE sequences upstream from a TATA element. Unlike that of YY1, SRF overexpression alone did not influence the transcriptional activity of the target sequence, but SRF overexpression could reverse YY1-mediated trans repression. These data suggest that YY1 and the SRF have antagonistic functions in vivo.

Casein kinase II induces c-fos expression via the serum response element pathway and p67SRF phosphorylation in living fibroblasts.

Elevation of intracellular casein kinase II (CKII) levels through microinjection of purified CKII results in the rapid and transient induction of c-fos in quiescent rat embryo fibroblasts, and activation of quiescent cells by serum is accompanied by the nuclear relocation of endogenous CKII. The induction of c-fos by CKII is inhibited by coinjection of oligonucleotides corresponding to the sequence of the serum response element (SRE) present in the c-fos promoter, indicating that competitive displacement of positive factors from the endogenous c-fos SRE prevents c-fos induction by CKII. Furthermore, the expression of c-fos induced by either CKII injection or serum activation is also inhibited by microinjection of antibodies against the 67 kDa serum response factor (p67SRF) indicating the absolute requirement of p67SRF in this process. Finally, we show the specific phosphorylation of p67SRF in vivo following microinjection of CKII into quiescent cells. Together, these data strongly support that CKII induces c-fos expression through binding/activation of the phosphorylated p67SRF at the SRE sequence.

Identification of a multiprotein complex interacting with the c-fos serum response element.

The serum response element (SRE) is essential for serum and growth factor stimulation of the c-fos gene. We have examined the nuclear proteins, obtained from tissues with elevated expression of the c-fos gene (proliferating rat liver and hepatocarcinoma), that bind to the SRE sequence. A synthetic oligonucleotide containing the SRE sequence from the mouse c-fos gene promoter (-299 to -322) was radioactively labeled, used as a probe for the mobility shift assay and Southwestern (DNA-protein) blotting, and also used for sequence-specific affinity chromatography. We have identified a group of nuclear proteins of molecular sizes 36, 45, 62, 67, 72, and 112 kDa capable of interacting with the SRE sequence. The 36-, 67-, and 112-kDa proteins have DNA-binding properties, but the presence of the others in the SRE-protein complex could be the result of protein-protein interaction. All of these protein factors were present in nuclei obtained from intact and proliferating rat liver as well as from 5123tc Morris hepatoma. The DNA-binding activity (on Southwestern blots) of the 67- and 112-kDa proteins was not affected by alkaline phosphatase treatment, but the ability of the dephosphorylated nuclear proteins to form the complex with the SRE sequence under gel shift assay conditions was severely impaired. The same alkaline phosphatase treatment completely abolished the DNA-binding properties of the c-fos cyclic AMP-responsive element-specific proteins. Therefore, transcriptional activation of the c-fos gene at the SRE must require the presence of a multiprotein complex the formation of which is governed by phosphorylation. The binding of the 67- and 62-kDa proteins to the c-fos SRE has been previously reported; however, the 36-. 45-, 72-, and 112-kDa proteins are novel factors involved in the multifaceted regulation of c-fos gene expression in vivo.

Identification of a Multiprotein Complex Interacting with the c-fos Serum Response Element

The serum response element (SRE) is essential for serum and growth factor stimulation of the c-fos gene. We have examined the nuclear proteins, obtained from tissues with elevated expression of the c-fos gene (proliferating rat liver and hepatocarcinoma), that bind to the SRE sequence. A synthetic oligonucleotide containing the SRE sequence from the mouse c-fos gene promoter (-299 to -322) was radioactively labeled, used as a probe for the mobility shift assay and Southwestern (DNA-protein) blotting, and also used for sequence-specific affinity chromatography. We have identified a group of nuclear proteins of molecular sizes 36, 45, 62, 67, 72, and 112 kDa capable of interacting with the SRE sequence. The 36-, 67-, and 112-kDa proteins have DNA-binding properties, but the presence of the others in the SRE-protein complex could be the result of protein-protein interaction. All of these protein factors were present in nuclei obtained from intact and proliferating rat liver as well as from 5123tc Morris hepatoma. The DNA-binding activity (on Southwestern blots) of the 67- and 112-kDa proteins was not affected by alkaline phosphatase treatment, but the ability of the dephosphorylated nuclear proteins to form the complex with the SRE sequence under gel shift assay conditions was severely impaired. The same alkaline phosphatase treatment completely abolished the DNA-binding properties of the c-fos cyclic AMP-responsive element-specific proteins. Therefore, transcriptional activation of the c-fos gene at the SRE must require the presence of a multiprotein complex the formation of which is governed by phosphorylation. The binding of the 67- and 62-kDa proteins to the c-fos SRE has been previously reported; however, the 36-. 45-, 72-, and 112-kDa proteins are novel factors involved in the multifaceted regulation of c-fos gene expression in vivo.

Cutting the Chain of Command: Specific Inhibitors of Transcription

Cell growth and differentiation are regulated (at least in part) by changes in gene transcription. The cloning and characterization of transcription factors has revealed that these factors coordinately regulate the transcription of specific genetic programs; for example, a number of phorbol ester-induced genes are activated by binding of the transcription factors Fos and Jun to specific DNA sequences. Clearly, inhibition of either the production or function of specific transcription factors would alter complete genetic programs, changing the expression of a great number of genes (analogous to cutting the chain of military command and affecting an entire brigade or division). Our laboratory and others have employed genetic methods to specifically inhibit transcription by two distinct methods: (1) antisense inhibition of the production of transcription factors; and (2) introduction of target DNA sequences to "soak up"or quench transcription factors. In this report, we present data showing that serum-stimulated induction of the c-fos gene may be reduced more than 90% by introduction of target DNA sequences containing the serum response element (SRE); identical amounts of mutant SRE sequences have no effect on gene induction. These studies demonstrate that specific inhibitors of transcription can have significant effects on cellular gene expression. The challenge is to modulate transcriptional programs without deleterious effects on normal cells.

Demonstration in living cells of an intragenic negative regulatory element within the rodent c- fos gene

We studied c- fos gene expression in rat fibroblasts by microinjection of regulatory DNA sequences, such as the serum response element (SRE) present in c- fos promotor, in order to compete directly with such sequences for binding of putative regulatory factors. We show that an additional fos intragenic regulatory element (FIRE) is located at the end of exon 1. When coinjected with an SRE oligonucleotide, it induced c- fos expression in quiescent cells, whereas injection of SRE sequence alone failed to do so. Moreover, injection in quiescent cells of an SRE oligonucleotide together with a p- fos-lacZ construct containing the c- fos SRE as well as an in-frame insertion of FIRE resulted in a block to β-galactosidase expression that can be relieved by coinjection of the FIRE sequence.

Occupation of the c-fos serum response element in vivo by a multi-protein complex is unaltered by growth factor induction.

Rapid, transient induction of the human c-fos proto-oncogene by extracellular signals requires the presence in cis of the serum response element (SRE). Two protein factors that bind to the SRE in vitro are the serum response factor (p67SRF) and polypeptide p62. These polypeptides must interact with one another and the SRE for efficient serum induction of the c-fos gene. Here we use dimethyl sulphate genomic footprinting to establish the in vivo protein contacts on the SRE and flanking sequences. In human A431 cells the patterns of protection and hyper-reactivity that we find are consistent with the presence of p67SRF, p62, and at least one other protein immediately 3' to p67SRF. The protein-DNA contacts we observe within the SRE are present before induction by epidermal growth factor and are unchanged during gene activation and subsequent repression. Our results indicate that a specific DNA-protein architecture may be maintained at the c-fos SRE, regardless of changes in the transcriptional state of the gene. Such established structures could be important generally in rapid transcriptional responses to extracellular signals.

Identification and purification of a polypeptide that binds to the c-fos serum response element.

A short DNA sequence element, the serum response element (SRE), which binds a nuclear protein, serum response factor (SRF), mediates transient transcriptional activation of c-fos and cytoskeletal actin genes in response to serum factors. Variant SRE sequences with different affinities for HeLa cell SRF were synthesised. Binding of SRF to these sites in vitro correlates with the transcriptional properties of these elements in vivo, suggesting that SRF is a positively acting transcription factor. A 67-kd polypeptide was identified as the DNA-binding component of SRF by photoactivated DNA-protein cross-linking in vitro. The high affinity SRF-binding site was used to purify this polypeptide to virtual homogeneity in a single DNA affinity chromatography step.