ATF6 modulates SREBP2-mediated lipogenesis

EMBO J. 2004 Feb 25;23(4):950-8. doi: 10.1038/sj.emboj.7600106. Epub 2004 Feb 5.

Abstract

Activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) are activated by proteolytic cleavage. The ensuing nuclear translocation of their N-termini (i.e., ATF6(N) and SREBP(N)) activates the respective target genes involved in unfolded protein response and lipogenesis. Here, we report that glucose deprivation activated ATF6 but suppressed the SREBP2-regulated transcription. Overexpression of ATF6(N) had similar inhibitory effects on SREBP2-targeted genes. The blockade of ATF6 cleavage by BiP/grp78 reversed this inhibitory effect. GST pull-down and immunoprecipitation assays revealed that ATF6(N) bound to SREBP2(N). Deletion analysis of the various functional domains of ATF6 indicated that the interaction was through its leucine-zipper domain. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that ATF6(N) formed a complex with the SRE-bound SREBP2(N). The attenuated transcriptional activity of SREBP2 was due, in part, to the recruitment of HDAC1 to the ATF6-SREBP2 complex. As a functional consequence, the lipogenic effect of SREBP2(N) in liver cells was suppressed by ATF6(N). Our results provide a novel mechanism by which ATF6 antagonizes SREBP2 to regulate the homeostasis of lipid and glucose.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Activating Transcription Factor 6
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP
  • Glucose / deficiency
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Histone Deacetylase 1
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Leucine Zippers
  • Lipids / biosynthesis*
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Transport
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • ATF6 protein, human
  • Activating Transcription Factor 6
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP
  • HSPA5 protein, human
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Lipids
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • SREBF2 protein, human
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2
  • Transcription Factors
  • HDAC1 protein, human
  • Histone Deacetylase 1
  • Histone Deacetylases
  • Glucose