Dataset Information

Nuclear Factor-Y is an adipogenic factor that regulates leptin gene expression.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Leptin gene expression is highly correlated with cellular lipid content in adipocytes but the transcriptional mechanisms controlling leptin expression in vivo are poorly understood. In this report, we set out to identify cis- and trans-regulatory elements controlling leptin expression.

Methods

Leptin-BAC luciferase transgenic mice combining with other computational and molecular techniques were used to identify transcription regulatory elements including a CCAAT-binding protein Nuclear Factor Y (NF-Y). The function of NF-Y in adipocyte was studied in vitro with 3T3-L1 cells and in vivo with adipocyte-specific knockout of NF-Y.

Results

Using Leptin-BAC luciferase mice, we showed that DNA sequences between -22 kb and +8.8 kb can confer quantitative expression of a leptin reporter. Computational analysis of sequences and gel shift assays identified a 32 bp sequence (chr6: 28993820-2899385) consisting a CCAAT binding site for Nuclear Factor Y (NF-Y) and this was confirmed by a ChIP assay in vivo. A deletion of this 32 bp sequence in the -22 kb to +8.8 kb leptin-luciferase BAC reporter completely abrogates luciferase reporter activity in vivo. RNAi mediated knockdown of NF-Y interfered with adipogenesis in vitro and adipocyte-specific knockout of NF-Y in mice reduced expression of leptin and other fat specific genes in vivo. Further analyses of the fat specific NF-Y knockout revealed that these animals develop a moderately severe lipodystrophy that is remediable with leptin therapy.

Conclusions

These studies advance our understanding of leptin gene expression and show that NF-Y controls the expression of leptin and other adipocyte genes and identifies a new form of lipodystrophy.

SUBMITTER: Lu YH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4420997 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) from extracardiac sources and intracardiac synthesis regulates cardiac homeostasis, with mitogenic and growth-promoting effects largely due to altered gene expression. Here, we assessed the possibility that angiotensin-1 (AT1R) or angiotensin-2 (AT2R) receptors on the nuclear envelope mediate effects on cardiomyocyte gene expression. Immunoblots of nucleus-enriched fractions from isolated cardiomyocytes indicated the presence of AT1R and AT2R proteins that copurified with the nuclear membrane marker nucleoporin-62 and histone-3, but not markers of plasma (calpactin-I), Golgi (GRP-78), or endoplasmic reticulum (GM130) membranes. Confocal microscopy revealed AT1R and AT2R proteins on nuclear membranes. Microinjected Ang-II preferentially bound to nuclear sites of isolated cardiomyocytes. AT1R and AT2R ligands enhanced de novo RNA synthesis in isolated cardiomyocyte nuclei incubated with [alpha-(32)P]UTP (e.g. 36.0 +/- 6.0 cpm/ng of DNA control versus 246.4 +/- 15.4 cpm/ng of DNA Ang-II, 390.1 +/- 15.5 cpm/ng of DNA L-162313 (AT1), 180.9 +/- 7.2 cpm/ng of DNA CGP42112A (AT2), p < 0.001). Ang-II application to cardiomyocyte nuclei enhanced NFkappaB mRNA expression, a response that was suppressed by co-administration of AT1R (valsartan) and/or AT2R (PD123177) blockers. Dose-response experiments with Ang-II applied to purified cardiomyocyte nuclei versus intact cardiomyocytes showed greater increases in NFkappaB mRNA levels at saturating concentrations with approximately 2-fold greater affinity upon nuclear application, suggesting preferential nuclear signaling. AT1R, but not AT2R, stimulation increased [Ca(2+)] in isolated cardiomyocyte nuclei. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor blockade by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate prevented AT1R-mediated Ca(2+) release and attenuated AT1R-mediated transcription initiation responses. We conclude that cardiomyocyte nuclear membranes possess angiotensin receptors that couple to nuclear signaling pathways and regulate transcription. Signaling within the nuclear envelope (e.g. from intracellularly synthesized Ang-II) may play a role in Ang-II-mediated changes in cardiac gene expression, with potentially important mechanistic and therapeutic implications.