The PP2A-Aβ gene is regulated by multiple transcriptional factors including Ets-1, SP1/SP3, and RXRα/β

Curr Mol Med. 2012 Sep;12(8):982-94. doi: 10.2174/156652412802480916.

Abstract

Protein phosphatase-2A (PP-2A) is a major serine/threonine phosphatase abundantly expressed in eukaryotes. PP-2A is a heterotrimer that contains a 65 kD scaffold A subunit, a 36 kD catalytic C subunit, and a regulatory B subunit of variable isoforms ranging from 54-130 kDs. The scaffold subunits, PP2A-Aα/β, act as platforms for both the C and B subunits to bind, and thus are key structural components for PP-2A activity. Mutations in both genes encoding PP2A-Aα and PP2A-Aβ lead to carcinogenesis and likely other human diseases. Our previous work showed that the gene coding for PP2A-Aα is positively regulated by multiple transcription factors including Ets-1, CREB, and AP-2α but negatively regulated by SP-1/SP-3. In the present study, we have functionally dissected the promoter of the mouse PP2A-Aβ gene. Our results demonstrate that three major cis-elements, including the binding sites for Ets-1, SP1/SP3, and RXRα/β, are present in the proximal promoter of the mouse PP2A-Aβ gene. Gel mobility shifting assays reveal that Ets-1, SP1/SP3, and RXRα/β all bind to PP2A-Aβ gene promoter. In vitro mutagenesis and reporter gene activity assays demonstrate that while Ets-1 displays negative regulation, SP1/SP3 and RXRα/β positively regulate the promoter of the PP2A-Aβ gene. Co-expression of the cDNAs encoding Ets-1, SP1/SP3, or RXRα/β and the luciferase reporter gene driven by PP2A-Aβ promoter further confirm their control over the PP2A-Aβ promoter. Finally, ChIP assays demonstrate that Ets-1, SP1/SP3, and RXRα/β can all bind to the PP2A-Aβ gene promoter. Together, our results reveal that multiple transcription factors regulate the PP2A-Aβ gene. Moreover, our results provide important information explaining why PP2A-Aα and PP2A-Aβ display distinct expression levels.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Luciferases, Renilla / biosynthesis
  • Luciferases, Renilla / genetics
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / genetics*
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 / physiology*
  • Retinoid X Receptor alpha / physiology*
  • Retinoid X Receptor beta / physiology*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • Sp3 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • Ets1 protein, mouse
  • Ppp2r1b protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1
  • Retinoid X Receptor alpha
  • Retinoid X Receptor beta
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor
  • Sp3 protein, mouse
  • Sp3 Transcription Factor
  • Luciferases, Renilla
  • Protein Phosphatase 2