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J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 282, Issue 22, 16164-16176, June 1, 2007
HoxA10 Activates Transcription of the Gene Encoding Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Phosphatase 2 (Mkp2) in Myeloid Cells*![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 1
From the
Received for publication, November 14, 2006 , and in revised form, March 8, 2007.
HoxA10 is a homeodomain transcription factor that is frequently overexpressed in human acute myeloid leukemia. In murine bone marrow transplantation studies, HoxA10 overexpression induces a myeloproliferative disorder with accumulation of mature phagocytes in the peripheral blood and tissues. Over time, differentiation block develops in these animals, resulting in acute myeloid leukemia. In immature myeloid cells, HoxA10 represses transcription of some genes that confer the mature phagocyte phenotype. Therefore, overexpressed HoxA10 blocks differentiation by repressing myeloid-specific gene transcription in differentiating myeloid cells. In contrast, target genes involved in myeloproliferation due to HoxA10 overexpression have not been identified. To identify such genes, we screened a CpG island microarray with HoxA10 co-immunoprecipitating chromatin. We identified the DUSP4 gene, which encodes mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 2 (Mkp2), as a HoxA10 target gene. We analyzed the DUSP4 5'-flank and identified two proximal-promoter cis elements that are activated by HoxA10. We find that DUSP4 transcription and Mkp2 expression decrease during normal myelopoiesis. However, this down-regulation is impaired in myeloid cells overexpressing HoxA10. In hematopoietic cells, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (Jnk) are the preferred substrates for Mkp2. Therefore, Mkp2 inhibits apoptosis by dephosphorylating (inactivating) Jnk. Consistent with this, HoxA10 overexpression decreases apoptosis in differentiating myeloid cells. Therefore, our studies identify a mechanism by which overexpressed HoxA10 contributes to inappropriate cell survival during myelopoiesis.
The 39 human and murine HOX genes are arranged in four paralog groups on four different chromosomes These genes encode homeodomain transcription factors that are highly conserved from Drosophila to humans. During embryogenesis, HOX gene transcription is activated 3' to 5' with the 3'-most genes regulating cephlad development and the 5'-most genes regulating caudal development (1). Transcription of the HOX genes is also tightly regulated during definitive hematopoiesis. Genes 3' in the locus (HOX1 to -4) are actively transcribed in hematopoietic stem cells, and more 5' genes (HOX5 to -11) are actively transcribed in lineage-committed progenitors (2). Therefore, HOX1 to -4 genes are transcribed in CD34+CD38 cells. In contrast, HOX5 to -11 genes (also referred to as ABD HOX genes) are transcribed throughout the CD34+ compartment and down-regulated in CD34 cells. In poor prognosis AML, the normal decrease in HoxA7, A9, and A10 expression in CD34 cells does not occur (3, 4). Consistent with this, mice transplanted with bone marrow overexpressing either HoxA9 or HoxA10 rapidly develop a myeloproliferative disorder, which evolves to acute myeloid leukemia over time. This myeloproliferative disorder is characterized by an increase in mature phagocytes in the peripheral blood and tissues. Murine studies also indicate that forced overexpression of HoxA9 or 10 has a common effect of expanding the bone marrow myeloid progenitor pool (57).
In contrast, the effect of HoxA9 and HoxA10 on myeloid differentiation is nonredundant. HoxA9 expression appears to be necessary for acquisition of the myeloid phenotype in normal and leukemic cells (5). In contrast, HoxA10 overexpression is associated with differentiation block in animal studies and in vitro (7). Despite the many elegant studies of the role of Abd HoxA proteins in myelopoiesis and leukemogenesis, relatively few genuine target genes have been identified for these homeodomain transcription factors. To address this issue, initial studies were performed to derive consensus sequences for HoxA protein-DNA binding. These studies identified consensus sequences for DNA binding of Hox-Pbx heterodimers (8). Pbx proteins are homeodomain transcription factors that increase the affinity of Hox proteins for DNA-binding sites. Based on the results of these studies, HoxA9 and HoxA10 target genes were identified that encode proteins involved in phagocyte functions. For example, a HoxA9/Pbx1 heterodimer activates homologous cis elements in the genes encoding the respiratory burst oxidase proteins gp91phox and p67phox in differentiating myeloid cells (9). Additional studies determined that transcription of these two oxidase genes is repressed by interaction of a HoxA10/Pbx1 heterodimer with the same cis elements in undifferentiated myeloid cells (1012). Interestingly, a HoxA10/Pbx2 heterodimer activates transcription of the gene encoding In contrast, relatively few target genes that encode proteins involved in regulating cell proliferation or survival have been identified for any Abd HoxA protein. In hematopoietic stem cells and myeloid progenitor cells, these functions are regulated by a variety of different mechanisms. To identify HoxA10 target genes involved in myeloproliferation in differentiating myeloid cells, we coupled chromatin co-immunoprecipitation with high throughput screening of a CpG island microarray (14). By this approach, we identified DUSP4 as a potential HoxA10 target gene in undifferentiated myeloid cells. This gene encodes Dusp4 (dual specific phosphatase 4), also known as Mkp2 (mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 2). Mkp1 and -2 are structurally related proteins that are expressed in hematopoietic cells but have different substrate specificities. In vivo, Mkp2 preferentially dephosphorylates (and therefore inactivates) c-Jun N-terminal kinases 1 and 2 (Jnk1 and -2) but not p38 or extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinases (15). Jnk1 is activated (phosphorylated) in response to genotoxic stress or hematopoietic cytokines and mediates apoptosis in differentiating myeloid cells (16, 17). Therefore, if HoxA10 activates DUSP4 transcription, HoxA10 overexpression in myeloid malignancy might increase cell survival during cytokine-induced myelopoiesis. In this study, we investigate the role of HoxA10 in DUSP4 transcription and in regulation of apoptosis.
Plasmids and PCR Genomic Cloning DUSP4 5'-Flank Reporter ConstructsGenomic clones for the DUSP4 5'-flank were obtained by PCR using genomic DNA isolated from U937 cells. The 3'-primer for each of the reactions encompassed +30 to 0 relative to the ATG start codon. A series of 5'-primers were generated to amplify 5'-flank sequences, including 2933 to +30 bp, 1772 to +30 bp, 1722 to +30 bp, 1205 to +30 bp, and 1142 to +30 bp. These genomic sequences were subcloned into the pCATE reporter vector (Stratagene, Cedar Creek, TX). Clones were completely sequenced on both strands, and the sequence was compared with the NCBI Human Genome Data Base to ensure that no mutations had been introduced. Artificial Promoter ConstructsArtificial promoter/reporter constructs were generated as previously described (10, 12) in the minimal promoter/reporter vector, p-TATACAT (18) (obtained from Dr. A. Kraft (Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC)). Constructs were generated with four copies (in the forward direction) of the 1755 to 1717 bp sequence (referred to as "A") or the 1174 to 1136 bp sequence (referred to as "B") from the DUSP4 promoter (p-ADUSP4-TATACAT and BDUSP4-TATACAT, respectively).
cDNA SequencesThe cDNA for human HoxA10 was obtained from C. Largman (University of California, San Francisco, CA) (19). This cDNA sequence represents the major transcript in mammalian hematopoietic cells, encoding a 393-amino acid, 55-kDa protein (20). Wild type HoxA10 cDNA sequence was subcloned into the pSR Plasmids for Short Hairpin RNA (shRNA)2 ExpressionPlasmids were generated to express shRNA to human Mkp2 using the pLKO.1 vector (kindly provided by Dr. K. Rundell, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL). Oligonucleotide sequences for Mkp2-specific shRNA or scrambled control shRNA were designed with the assistance of the software on the Promega Web site (Promega, Madison, WI).
Oligonucleotides
Myeloid Cell Line Culture
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation and CpG Island Screening Aliquots of HoxA10-specific and preimmune serum control-precipitated, amplified chromatin were labeled with Cy3 or Cy5 by the random primer method. Labeled DNA was used to probe a CpG island microarray, as described (14). CpG island microarrays were obtained from the Microarray Center, University Health Network (Ontario Cancer Institute, Ontario, Canada). "Spots" with 3-fold enhancement in HoxA10-specific versus control preimmune serum-precipitated chromatin in three independent hybridization experiments were further considered. Dye swapping experiments were performed as controls for differences in efficiency in incorporation of Cy3 versus Cy5 into DNA. Arrays were scanned using an Agilent microarray scanner (G2565BA, Wilmington, DE), and feature intensity statistics were extracted using GenePix (Molecular Devices, Union City, CA). The GenBankTM accession number from the array was used to search the NCBI human genome data base for adjacent genes. Specificity of chromatin immunoprecipitation was confirmed by independent chromatin immunoprecipitation with HoxA10-specific antiserum or preimmune serum control. Precipitated chromatin was PCR-amplified with overlapping primer sets that were designed to encompass the proximal 4 kb of 5'-flank sequences, based on location of the CpG island (1734 to 2025 bp relative to the ATG start codon). Primer sets were designed to amplify 2025 to +30 bp or 2025 to 3613 bp.
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays (EMSA)
Transfection and Reporter Gene Assays
Stable TransfectantsStable U937 transfectants were generated with pSR
Western Blotting
Quantitative Real Time PCR
In other experiments, chromatin co-immunoprecipitating from U937 cells with antibody to HoxA10, anti-acetyl-histone 3, or control preimmune serum was analyzed by real time PCR. Primers were designed to amplify
Apoptosis Assays
Statistical Analysis
HoxA10 Interacts with the DUSP4 Promoter in Vitro and in VivoHoxA10 target genes were identified by chromatin co-immunoprecipitation from U937 myeloid leukemia cells. This myeloid cell line undergoes differentiation in response to various cytokines, including IFN (22). U937 differentiation is characterized by acquisition of mature phagocyte characteristics, including respiratory burst activity and phagocytosis (10, 12, 22, 25). Differentiation is also characterized by cell cycle arrest within 24 h and programmed cell death over 72 h. Therefore, this cell line provides a reasonable model of the events of myelopoiesis.
For these studies, U937 cells were treated with formaldehyde to generate in vivo DNA-protein cross-links, and cell lysates were immunoprecipitated with antiserum to HoxA10 or control preimmune serum. Prior to immunoprecipitation, the lysates were sonicated to generate 2.0-kb chromatin fragments (14). Precipitated chromatin was labeled with Cy3 or Cy5 and used to hybridize a human CpG island microarray, as described (14). Triplicate array experiments were performed (with independent co-precipitations), and only "spots" with at least 3-fold enhancement in all three were further considered. One of the identified CpG islands localized to chromosome 8 in the 5'-flank of the DUSP4 gene (Fig. 1A; location of the CpG island is 2025 to 1734 bp relative to the ATG start codon). This gene encodes dual specific phosphatase 4, also known as Mkp2 (mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 2). This result was of considerable interest, since Mkp2 has been implicated in regulating apoptosis in myeloid cells via inactivation (dephosphorylation) of proapoptotic Jnk proteins (14).
Since co-precipitating DNA was sheared to generate 2.0-kb fragments, the location of the CpG island (
The results of these chromatin immunoprecipitation studies suggest that HoxA10 interacts with a binding site within the proximal 2.0 kb of DUSP4 5'-flank in vivo. Therefore, we analyzed this 2.0-kb sequence to determine if it contained any HoxA10 DNA-binding consensus sequences. This analysis resulted in identification of two sequences that conform to the derived consensus for DNA binding of HoxA10-Pbx heterodimers. These sequences were found at 1731 to 1738 bp (referred to as "A") and 1158 to 1166 bp (referred to as "B") relative to the ATG start codon in the DUSP4 5'-flank (Fig. 1C). These results provided initial evidence in support of our hypothesis that DUSP4 is a HoxA10 target gene. Therefore, we performed additional experiments to determine the impact on Mkp2 expression of myeloid differentiation and HoxA10 overexpression.
Mkp2 Expression Is Decreased by Differentiation and Increased by HoxA10 Overexpression in Myeloid CellsMkp2 is expressed in myeloid cells, but differentiation stage-specific regulation of Mkp2 expression has not been previously investigated (14). Differentiation of U937 cells is associated with increased Jnk activation (phosphorylation) and Jnk-induced apoptosis. Since Mkp2 dephosphorylates Jnk, one might anticipate a decrease in Mkp2 expression as differentiation proceeds. Therefore, we initially investigated the impact of IFN
Based on these results, we investigated the impact of U937 differentiation and HoxA10 overexpression on Mkp2 protein abundance. For these studies, stable U937 transfectant pools were generated with a vector to overexpress HoxA10 or empty control vector. Transfectants were analyzed with and without IFN
In control transfectants, we found that IFN
HoxA10 Overexpression Decreases Mkp2-dependent Apoptosis in Differentiating Myeloid CellsBased on the studies above, we hypothesized that HoxA10 overexpression in U937 cells would decrease apoptosis during IFN
In undifferentiated U937 transfectants, we found that overexpression of HoxA10 or Mkp2 did not significantly alter the percentage of apoptotic cells in comparison with control vector transfectants (p = 0.48, F = 0.83, n = 3) (Fig. 3A). Consistent with previous studies, the percentage of apoptotic cells in control U937 transfectants increased significantly during IFN differentiation (p < 0.05, n = 3). In contrast, IFN treatment did not significantly increase the percentage of apoptotic cells in U937 transfectants overexpressing HoxA10 or Mkp2 (p > 0.7, n = 3). Therefore, there were significantly more apoptotic cells in IFN -treated control transfectants in comparison with HoxA10- or Mkp2-overexpressing cells (p = 0.02, F = 7.00, n = 3). Overexpression of HoxA10 or Mkp2 in these stable transfectant pools was verified by Western blots of total cell lysates (representative blots are shown in Figs. 2B and 3B). These results suggest that overexpression of either HoxA10 or Mkp2 protects differentiating myeloid cells from apoptosis. Therefore, we were interested in determining if the antiapoptotic effect of HoxA10 overexpression was dependent upon differentiation stage-inappropriate Mkp2 expression. To investigate this, U937 stable transfectant pools were generated with vectors to co-overexpress HoxA10 and an Mkp2-specific shRNA. Apoptosis in these cells was compared with control stable transfectants with empty expression vector plus vector to express scrambled shRNA, a HoxA10 expression vector plus a vector to express scrambled shRNA, and an empty expression vector plus a vector to express Mkp2-specific shRNA. Apoptosis was determined as above (Fig. 3C).
In these studies, we found that the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly increased during IFN HoxA10 Overexpression Activates the DUSP4 Promoter in Myeloid CellsTo investigate the functional significance of this interaction, we generated a series of reporter constructs with various sequences from the DUSP4 5'-flank. DUSP4 clones for these studies were obtained from U937 genomic DNA by PCR. To facilitate generating the potentially most informative set of constructs, the location of the A and B HoxA10/Pbx DNA-binding consensus sequences were considered in designing these experiments. Therefore, we generated CAT reporter constructs with 2.93, 1.77, 1.72, 1.20, and 1.14 kb of DUSP4 5'-flank (relative to the ATG start) (see Fig. 1C). Based on the location of identified consensus sequences, the 2.93- and 1.77-kb constructs include both potential HoxA10-binding sites. The 1.72- and 1.20-kb constructs include only the proximal (or B) HoxA10 binding site, and the 1.14-kb construct does not contain a HoxA10-binding consensus sequence.
U937 cells were co-transfected with these reporter constructs and a vector to overexpress HoxA10 or empty expression vector control. Reporter gene assays were performed with and without IFN
We also compared HoxA10-induced reporter activity from the 1.72- and 1.20-kb constructs, with and without differentiation. Both of these constructs include the proximal B consensus sequence but not the distal A sequence. We found that the amount of HoxA10-induced reporter activity of these constructs was not significantly different (p > 0.7, n = 4). Therefore, we compared HoxA10-induced reporter activity of the 1.20-kb DUSP4 5'-flank construct, which contains the proximal HoxA10-binding consensus (the B sequence), with the 1.14-kb construct, which does not include a HoxA10-binding consensus (i.e. truncated to eliminate the B sequence). We found that HoxA10 overexpression did not induce a significant increase in reporter expression of the 1.14-kb construct, with and without IFN
These results suggest that HoxA10-inducible reporter activity decreases with deletion of the A sequence and is abolished by deletion of the B sequence. If the A and B sequences represent cis elements activated by HoxA10, HoxA10 overexpression would be expected to induce more reporter activity from constructs with both cis elements in comparison with constructs with only the more proximal B sequence. To test this hypothesis, we compared HoxA10-induced activation of constructs with both the A and B sequences (2.93- and 1.77-kb constructs) with activation of constructs with only the proximal B sequence (1.72- and 1.20-kb constructs). We found that overexpression of HoxA10 increased reporter expression from the 2.93- and 1.77-kb constructs by 79.5 ± 4.7%. In contrast, overexpressed HoxA10 increased reporter expression from the 1.72- and 1.20-kb constructs by 44.8% ± 3.1%. Therefore, overexpressed HoxA10 induced significantly more expression from constructs with both the A and B cis elements in comparison with constructs with only the B cis element (about 2-fold more, p < 0.02, n = 8). In contrast to these studies, neither HoxA10 overexpression nor IFN
Overexpressed HoxA10 Activates Two Cis Elements in the DUSP4 PromoterThese results suggest that HoxA10 activates two different cis elements in the DUSP4 5'-flank. Therefore, we investigated whether either the A or B DUSP4 sequence functions as a HoxA10-activated cis element. For these studies, we generated constructs with four copies of the DUSP4 A(1755 to 1717 bp) or B (1174 to 1136 bp) sequence linked to a minimal promoter and CAT reporter (referred to as ADUSP4-TATACAT and BDUSP4-TATACAT, respectively) (Fig. 1C). These constructs or empty control pTATACAT vector were co-transfected into U937 cells with a vector to overexpress HoxA10 or empty expression vector. Reporter gene studies were performed with and without IFN
We found that the ADUSP4-TATACAT construct exhibited
We performed similar experiments to determine if the more proximal HoxA10-binding DUSP4 sequence was a functional cis element, activated by HoxA10. In these studies, we found that inclusion of the DUSP4 B sequence in the artificial promoter vector significantly also increased reporter activity, suggesting that this sequence also functions as a cis element (p 0.01, n = 4). Similar to the DUSP4 A cis element, activity of the B cis element was significantly less in IFN -treated U937 transfectants in comparison with undifferentiated transfectants. We also determined the impact of overexpressing HoxA10 on the DUSP4 B cis element. In these studies, we found that HoxA10 overexpression significantly increased reporter activity from the DUSP4 B cis element-containing construct, with and without IFN differentiation. As with the DUSP4 A cis element, there was no significant difference in reporter activity from the BDUSP4-TATACAT construct in undifferentiated transfectants without HoxA10 overexpression in comparison with differentiated transfectants overexpressing HoxA10 (p = 0.26, n = 4). These results further suggest that HoxA10 overexpression can reverse the impact of myeloid differentiation on Mkp2 expression, consistent with the studies above.
We also determined whether there were differences between the DUSP4 A and B cis elements in terms of efficiency of activation by overexpressed HoxA10. In undifferentiated, HoxA10-overexpressing U937 transfectants, we found that reporter activity of the ADUSP4-TATACAT construct was significantly greater than the BDUSP4-TATACAT construct (p = 0.02, n = 4). However, we found that reporter activity of the ADUSP4-TATACAT and BDUSP4-TATACAT constructs was not significantly different in IFN HoxA10 Interacts with Two Cis Elements in the DUSP4 Promoter, in VitroThese studies suggest that HoxA10 overexpression increases DUSP4 promoter activity in undifferentiated and differentiated U937 cells, and this effect depends on the A and B cis elements. We were interested in determining if either of these cis elements interact with HoxA10 in vitro and the impact of differentiation on this interaction.
Therefore, we performed EMSA to determine whether HoxA10 binds either of these DNA sequences in vitro. First, we investigated whether oligonucleotide probes representing either the A or B DUSP4 sequence interact with a specific protein complex in vitro. For these studies, EMSA were performed with radiolabeled, double-stranded oligonucleotide probes representing the A or B sequences and nuclear proteins isolated from U937 cells with or without IFN
We found that these DUSP4 promoter sequence probes interact with a protein complex of similar mobility (Fig. 5A). We also found that binding of both of these complexes was decreased in assays with nuclear proteins from IFN We further investigated these protein complexes for cross-reactive binding specificities. In these studies, EMSA was performed with the A or B probe; nuclear proteins from U937 cells; and excess double-stranded oligonucleotide competitors representing the A or B sequence, the CYBB HoxA10-binding cis element, or irrelevant control oligonucleotide (Fig. 5B). In these studies, we found that the low mobility complexes that bound in vitro to these two probes have cross-competitive binding specificities with each other and with the CYBB cis element. These studies also suggest that oligonucleotide B has a lower affinity for binding the protein complex in comparison with probe A. As discussed above, the A and B cis elements contain sequences homologous to the derived consensus for HoxA10 binding to DNA as a heterodimer with Pbx, a frequent binding partner. Therefore, we next determined whether protein complexes interacting with the A and B DUSP4 oligonucleotide probes were cross-immunoreactive with HoxA10 or Pbx proteins. In these studies, EMSA was performed with the A or B oligonucleotide probe; U937 nuclear proteins; and antibodies to HoxA10, Pbx1, Pbx2, or irrelevant control antibody (Fig. 5C). We found that the low mobility protein complexes interacting with the A and B probes were cross-immunoreactive with HoxA10 and Pbx2 but not Pbx1 or irrelevant antibody. The B probe also bound a higher mobility complex, which was cross-immunoreactive with HoxA10 or Pbx2 antibody. This latter complex may represent HoxA10 or Pbx2 binding to the B sequence as a monomer.
HoxA10 Interacts with Two Cis Elements in the DUSP4 Promoter, in VivoBased on these results, we investigated in vivo HoxA10 binding to the A and B cis elements in the DUSP4 promoter and the effect of IFN
In these studies, we found that endogenous HoxA10 binds to both of these cis elements in vivo in undifferentiated U937 cells. However, there was significantly more HoxA10 bound to the region of the A cis element, with and without IFN differentiation (p < 0.004, n = 12). Consistent with our in vitro studies, we also found that in vivo HoxA10 binding to the A and B cis elements decreased significantly during IFN differentiation (p < 0.0001, n = 12). For a some previously described Hox target genes, Hox-containing protein complexes recruit transcriptional co-activators to the cis element. Since such transcriptional co-activators have histone acetyltransferase activity, this results in a local increase in acetylation of DNA-bound histones. Histone acetylation increases accessibility of the transcription start site, thereby favoring gene transcription. To correlate HoxA10-DNA binding with transcriptional activation, we also determined the effect of differentiation on abundance of acetylated histones in the region of the A and B cis elements. For these studies, chromatin was co-immunoprecipitated with an anti-acetyl-histone 3 (H3) antibody or control antibody and analyzed by real time PCR with the A or B primers (Fig. 6B). We found that significantly more acetyl-H3 was associated with the regions of the A and B cis elements in undifferentiated U937 cells in comparison with after differentiation (p < 0.001, n = 12). Additionally, we found significantly more acetyl-H3 in the region of the A cis element in comparison with the region of the B cis element (p < 0.04, n = 12). These results are consistent with the results of in vivo HoxA10 binding to these two cis elements in differentiating U937 cells.
In these studies, we identify DUSP4, the gene encoding Mkp2, as a HoxA10 target gene. We find that Mkp2 expression decreases during myeloid differentiation and that this decrease is at least partly due to decreased DUSP4 transcription. Also, we find that HoxA10 overexpression prevents down-regulation of Mkp2 expression and DUSP4 transcription during myelopoiesis. The downstream consequence of sustained Mkp2 expression is impaired apoptosis during differentiation of HoxA10-overexpressing myeloid cells. Therefore, these studies identify a novel HoxA10 target gene. Additionally, these studies provide a mechanism by which overexpressed HoxA10 induces resistance to apoptosis during myelopoiesis. These results are of potential significance to the phenotype of HoxA10-overexpressing malignant myeloid cells. We demonstrate that HoxA10 activates DUSP4 transcription by interacting with at least two cis elements in the 5'-flank. These cis elements were identified by homology to a derived consensus sequence for DNA binding of HoxA10/Pbx heterodimers. We found that the activity of these two cis elements is additive in the context of the intact promoter. We also found that these cis elements are more active in undifferentiated myeloid cells than after cytokine-induced differentiation. Consistent with this differentiation stage-specific activity, binding of HoxA10 and acetylated histones to these cis elements is greater in undifferentiated myeloid cells.
In contrast to the current studies, we previously found that HoxA10 represses transcription of the CYBB and NCF2 genes in immature myeloid cells (10, 12). Therefore, HoxA10 can either activate or repress transcription of various target genes in undifferentiated myeloid cells. In the current studies, we found that HoxA10 overexpression prevents the normal down-regulation of DUSP4 transcription during myelopoiesis. In contrast, in our previous studies, we found that HoxA10 overexpression did not induce differentiation stage-inappropriate repression of CYBB or NCF2 transcription (10, 12). During cytokine-induced differentiation, HoxA10 binding affinity for the negative CYBB and NCF2 cis elements decreases. We found this decrease was due to phosphorylation of specific tyrosine residues in the HoxA10 homeodomain (11). In contrast, overexpressed-HoxA10 induces as much activity from the DUSP4 cis elements in differentiating myeloid cells as in undifferentiated cells. These results suggest that HoxA10 transcriptional activation and repression functions are not similarly regulated by cytokine-mediated post-translational modification of HoxA10.
However, although overexpressed HoxA10 induces the same percentage increase in activity of the two DUSP4 cis elements in undifferentiated transfectants as in differentiated transfectants, the total amount of cis element activity is greater in undifferentiated transfectants. One possible explanation for this might be that there is less endogenous HoxA10 in the IFN An alternative explanation for the decreased activity of these DUSP4 cis elements after differentiation, even in HoxA10-overexpressing cells, is a decrease in activity of a crucial partner protein or co-activator. We find that HoxA10 binds the two DUSP4 cis elements as a heterodimer with Pbx2. This is in contrast to the HoxA10/Pbx1 heterodimer, which binds the CYBB and NCF2 cis elements. The two proteins in Hox/Pbx heterodimers are hypothesized to have different functions. For some cis elements, the Hox protein is thought to provide binding site specificity, and the Pbx protein is thought to increase binding affinity of the complex. It is possible that altered Pbx2 activity during differentiation influences HoxA10/Pbx2 complex binding to the two DUSP4 cis elements. This is an active area of investigation in the laboratory.
The two identified HoxA10-binding cis elements in the DUSP4 promoter are about 600 bp apart (1157 to 1165 and 1132 to 1139 bp from the ATG start codon). Similarly, the CYBB promoter also includes several HoxA10-binding cis elements in the proximal promoter, each of which are several hundred bp apart (21). As in the current studies, these CYBB cis elements exhibit variable binding affinity for HoxA10. In the current studies, we found that the more proximal cis element had lower HoxA10 binding affinity, as determined by in vitro and in vivo binding studies. Consistent with this, the proximal cis element showed less activity in U937 transfection experiments, with and without IFN It is possible that the variable affinity of HoxA10 for these two cis elements provides a mechanism for a graded response to HoxA10-induced activation at various points during the differentiation program. Specifically, a decrease in HoxA10 abundance, such as normally occurs during the transition from CD34+ to CD34 progenitors (3), would have a greater impact on the function of the proximal DUSP4 cis element. However, further events during terminal differentiation or phagocyte activation might influence HoxA10 binding to the distal cis element. This would decrease Mkp2 expression, increase Jnk1 activation, and lead to apoptosis. This process could be deranged at various points by the extent of differentiation stage-inappropriate HoxA10 expression or by other factors that influence binding affinity of the HoxA10/Pbx2 complex to the DUSP4 cis elements. Further clarification of the role of multiple HoxA10 binding cis elements in differentiation stage-specific regulation of various target genes will be of interest.
A number of pathways are involved in programmed cell death during myelopoiesis. One pathway involves Jnk, also referred to as Sapk (stress-activated kinases) (27). Jnk is activated in response to genotoxic stresses and also in response to the "stress" of cytokines, such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-3, and IFN
We find that inhibition of differentiation-induced apoptosis by HoxA10 overexpression is at least partly dependent on increased Mkp2 expression in U937 cells. These results suggest that HoxA10 activation of DUSP4 transcription is physiologically significant to the phenotype of malignant myeloid cells overexpressing HoxA10. However, our studies indicate that not all of the apoptosis resistance of HoxA10-overexpressing cells was reversed by Mkp2 knockdown. It is possible that this reflects the efficiency of Mkp2 suppression by the specific shRNA. However, this result could also indicate that HoxA10 influences expression of additional target genes involved in programmed cell death in differentiating myeloid cells. Consistent with this latter possibility, not only did HoxA10 overexpression abolish differentiation-induced Jnk1 activation; phospho-Jnk1 is actually decreased in HoxA10-overexpressing U937 cells during IFN Regulation of apoptosis in differentiating myeloid cells is complex. The current studies represent the first identification of a role for HoxA10 in this process. HoxA10 abundance decreases during normal myelopoiesis. Our studies suggest this decreases HoxA10 activation of DUSP4 transcription, especially via the proximal, low affinity cis element. This has implications for the impact of sustained HoxA10 expression during differentiation in various forms of acute myeloid leukemia (3). Specifically, these results suggest that sustained HoxA10-expression in maturing progenitors would sustain Mkp2 expression, impairing Jnk activation and therefore apoptosis. This could be a mechanism that contributes to myeloid progenitor expansion and leukocytosis in HoxA10-overexpressing murine models. Therefore, these studies suggest a potential pathway for molecular therapeutic targeting in myeloid malignancies characterized by overexpression of Abd HoxA proteins.
* The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact. 1 To whom correspondence should be addressed: Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, 710 N. Fairbanks Ct., Olson 8524, Chicago, IL 60611. Tel.: 312-503-4625; E-mail: e-eklund{at}northwestern.edu.
2 The abbreviations used are: shRNA, short hairpin RNA; IFN
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