BRG1 promotes COUP-TFII expression and venous specification during embryonic vascular development.

Arteries and veins acquire distinct molecular identities prior to the onset of embryonic blood circulation, and their specification is crucial for vascular development. The transcription factor COUP-TFII currently functions at the top of a signaling pathway governing venous fate. It promotes venous identity by inhibiting Notch signaling and subsequent arterialization of endothelial cells, yet nothing is known about what regulates COUP-TFII expression in veins. We now report that the chromatin-remodeling enzyme BRG1 promotes COUP-TFII expression in venous endothelial cells during murine embryonic development. Conditional deletion of Brg1 from vascular endothelial cells resulted in downregulated COUP-TFII expression and aberrant expression of arterial markers on veins. BRG1 promotes COUP-TFII expression by binding conserved regulatory elements within the COUP-TFII promoter and remodeling chromatin to make the promoter accessible to transcriptional machinery. This study provides the first description of a factor promoting COUP-TFII expression in vascular endothelium and highlights a novel role for chromatin remodeling in venous specification.

The NuRD chromatin-remodeling enzyme CHD4 promotes embryonic vascular integrity by transcriptionally regulating extracellular matrix proteolysis.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) supports vascular integrity during embryonic development. Proteolytic degradation of ECM components is required for angiogenesis, but excessive ECM proteolysis causes blood vessel fragility and hemorrhage. Little is understood about how ECM proteolysis is transcriptionally regulated during embryonic vascular development. We now show that the NuRD ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complex promotes vascular integrity by preventing excessive ECM proteolysis in vivo. Mice lacking endothelial CHD4--a catalytic subunit of NuRD complexes--died at midgestation from vascular rupture. ECM components surrounding rupture-prone vessels in Chd4 mutants were significantly downregulated prior to embryonic lethality. Using qPCR arrays, we found two critical mediators of ECM stability misregulated in mutant endothelial cells: the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR or Plaur) was upregulated, and thrombospondin-1 (Thbs1) was downregulated. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that CHD4-containing NuRD complexes directly bound the promoters of these genes in endothelial cells. uPAR and THBS1 respectively promote and inhibit activation of the potent ECM protease plasmin, and we detected increased plasmin activity around rupture-prone vessels in Chd4 mutants. We rescued ECM components and vascular rupture in Chd4 mutants by genetically reducing urokinase (uPA or Plau), which cooperates with uPAR to activate plasmin. Our findings provide a novel mechanism by which a chromatin-remodeling enzyme regulates ECM stability to maintain vascular integrity during embryonic development.

The chromatin-remodeling enzyme BRG1 modulates vascular Wnt signaling at two levels.

The ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling enzyme brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) regulates transcription of specific target genes during embryonic and postnatal development. Deletion of Brg1 from embryonic blood vessels results in yolk sac vascular remodeling defects. We now report that misregulation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway underlies many Brg1 mutant vascular phenotypes. Brg1 deletion resulted in down-regulation of several Wnt receptors of the frizzled family, degradation of the intracellular Wnt signaling molecule ß-catenin, and an overall decrease in Wnt signaling in endothelial cells. Pharmacological stabilization of ß-catenin significantly rescued Brg1 mutant vessel morphology and transcription of Wnt target genes. Our data demonstrate that BRG1 impacts the canonical Wnt pathway at two different levels in vascular endothelium: through transcriptional regulation of both Wnt receptor genes and Wnt target genes. These findings establish an epigenetic mechanism for the modulation of Wnt signaling during embryonic vascular development.

Chromatin-remodeling complex specificity and embryonic vascular development.

Vascular development is a dynamic process that relies on the coordinated expression of numerous genes, but the factors that regulate gene expression during blood vessel development are not well defined. ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complexes are gaining attention for their specific temporal and spatial effects on gene expression during vascular development. Genetic mutations in chromatin-remodeling complex subunits are revealing roles for the complexes in vascular signaling pathways at discrete developmental time points. Phenotypic analysis of these models at various stages of vascular development will continue to expand our understanding of how chromatin remodeling impacts new blood vessel growth. Such research could also provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of vascular pathologies.

Immunohistochemical analysis of oxidative stress and DNA repair proteins in normal mammary and breast cancer tissues.

BACKGROUND: During the course of normal cellular metabolism, oxygen is consumed and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced. If not effectively dissipated, ROS can accumulate and damage resident proteins, lipids, and DNA. Enzymes involved in redox regulation and DNA repair dissipate ROS and repair the resulting damage in order to preserve a functional cellular environment. Because increased ROS accumulation and/or unrepaired DNA damage can lead to initiation and progression of cancer and we had identified a number of oxidative stress and DNA repair proteins that influence estrogen responsiveness of MCF-7 breast cancer cells, it seemed possible that these proteins might be differentially expressed in normal mammary tissue, benign hyperplasia (BH), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive breast cancer (IBC). METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of a number of oxidative stress proteins, DNA repair proteins, and damage markers in 60 human mammary tissues which were classified as BH, DCIS or IBC. The relative mean intensity was determined for each tissue section and ANOVA was used to detect statistical differences in the relative expression of BH, DCIS and IBC compared to normal mammary tissue. RESULTS: We found that a number of these proteins were overexpressed and that the cellular localization was altered in human breast cancer tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies suggest that oxidative stress and DNA repair proteins not only protect normal cells from the damaging effects of ROS, but may also promote survival of mammary tumor cells.

Using RNA interference to study protein function.

RNA interference can be extremely useful in determining the function of an endogenously-expressed protein in its normal cellular environment. In this chapter, we describe a method that uses small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knock down mRNA and protein expression in cultured cells so that the effect of a putative regulatory protein on gene expression can be delineated. Methods of assessing the effectiveness of the siRNA procedure using real time quantitative PCR and Western analysis are also included.

CHD4-regulated plasmin activation impacts lymphovenous hemostasis and hepatic vascular integrity.

The chromatin-remodeling enzyme CHD4 maintains vascular integrity at mid-gestation; however, it is unknown whether this enzyme contributes to later blood vessel or lymphatic vessel development. Here, we addressed this issue in mice harboring a deletion of Chd4 specifically in cells that express lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE1), which include lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Chd4 mutant embryos died before birth and exhibited severe edema, blood-filled lymphatics, and liver hemorrhage. CHD4-deficient embryos developed normal lymphovenous (LV) valves, which regulate the return of lymph to the blood circulation; however, these valves lacked the fibrin-rich thrombi that prevent blood from entering the lymphatic system. Transcripts of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), which facilitates activation of the fibrin-degrading protease plasmin, were upregulated in Chd4 mutant LYVE1+ cells, and plasmin activity was elevated near the LV valves. Genetic reduction of the uPAR ligand urokinase prevented degradation of fibrin-rich thrombi at the LV valves and largely resolved the blood-filled lymphatics in Chd4 mutants. Urokinase reduction also ameliorated liver hemorrhage and prolonged embryonic survival by reducing plasmin-mediated extracellular matrix degradation around sinusoidal blood vessels. These results highlight the susceptibility of LV thrombi and liver sinusoidal vessels to plasmin-mediated damage and demonstrate the importance of CHD4 in regulating embryonic plasmin activation after mid-gestation.

A novel estrogen receptor alpha-associated protein alters receptor-deoxyribonucleic acid interactions and represses receptor-mediated transcription.

Estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) serves as a ligand-activated transcription factor, turning on transcription of estrogen-responsive genes in target cells. Numerous regulatory proteins interact with the receptor to influence ER alpha-mediated transactivation. In this study, we have identified pp32, which interacts with the DNA binding domain of ER alpha when the receptor is free, but not when it is bound to an estrogen response element. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that endogenously expressed pp32 and ER alpha from MCF-7 breast cancer cells interact. Although pp32 substantially enhances the association of the receptor with estrogen response element-containing DNA, overexpression of pp32 in MCF-7 cells decreases transcription of an estrogen-responsive reporter plasmid. pp32 Represses p300-mediated acetylation of ER alpha and histones in vitro and inhibits acetylation of ER alpha in vivo. pp32 Also binds to other nuclear receptors and inhibits thyroid hormone receptor beta-mediated transcription. Taken together, our studies provide evidence that pp32 plays a role in regulating transcription of estrogen-responsive genes by modulating acetylation of histones and ER alpha and also influences transcription of other hormone-responsive genes as well.

The chromatin-remodeling enzymes BRG1 and CHD4 antagonistically regulate vascular Wnt signaling.

Canonical Wnt signaling plays an important role in embryonic and postnatal blood vessel development. We previously reported that the chromatin-remodeling enzyme BRG1 promotes vascular Wnt signaling. Vascular deletion of Brg1 results in aberrant yolk sac blood vessel morphology, which is rescued by pharmacological stimulation of Wnt signaling with lithium chloride (LiCl). We have now generated embryos lacking the chromatin-remodeling enzyme Chd4 in vascular endothelial cells. Unlike Brg1 mutants, Chd4 mutant embryos had normal yolk sac vascular morphology. However, concomitant deletion of Chd4 and Brg1 rescued vascular abnormalities seen in Brg1 mutant yolk sacs to the same extent as LiCl treatment. We hypothesized that Wnt signaling was upregulated in Chd4 mutant yolk sac vasculature. Indeed, we found that Chd4 deletion resulted in upregulation of the Wnt-responsive transcription factor Tcf7 and an increase in Wnt target gene expression in endothelial cells. Furthermore, we identified one Wnt target gene, Pitx2, that was downregulated in Brg1 mutant endothelial cells but was rescued following LiCl treatment and in Brg1 Chd4 double mutant vasculature, suggesting that PITX2 helps to mediate the restoration of yolk sac vascular remodeling under both conditions. We conclude that BRG1 and CHD4 antagonistically modulate Wnt signaling in developing yolk sac vessels to mediate normal vascular remodeling.

Long-range transcriptional control of progesterone receptor gene expression.

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) binds to specific target DNA sequences, estrogen response elements (EREs), to regulate estrogen-responsive gene expression. The progesterone receptor (PR) gene has been used extensively as a marker of estrogen responsiveness. Although we previously identified cis elements within 1 kb of the PR-B transcription start site that are associated with ERalpha and help to confer estrogen responsiveness, the identification of ERalpha binding sites far removed from the transcription start site suggested that long-range regulation of this gene may occur. We now show that eight regions of the PR gene from 311 kb upstream to 4 kb downstream of the PR-B transcription start site interact with ERalpha and that coactivator proteins and acetylated histones are selectively associated with these gene regions. Specific PR gene regions confer estrogen responsiveness to a heterologous reporter plasmid, and mutation of EREs within these regions diminishes estrogen-induced transactivation. Importantly, chromosome conformation capture assays reveal ERalpha- and ligand-dependent interactions between proximal and distal PR gene regions. Taken together, our studies suggest that distal regions of the PR gene participate in the dynamic regulation of this gene and that the coordinated action of proximal and distal PR gene regions allows cells to respond to changes in hormone levels with extraordinary versatility and sensitivity.

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 alters estrogen receptor activity and estrogen-responsive gene expression.

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 or redox factor-1 (Ape1/Ref-1) is a pleiotropic cellular protein involved in DNA repair and, through its redox activity, enhances the binding of a select group of transcription factors to their cognate recognition sequences in DNA. Thus, we were intrigued when we identified Ape1/Ref-1 and a number of DNA repair and oxidative stress proteins in a complex associated with the DNA-bound estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha). Because Ape1/Ref-1 interacts with a number of transcription factors and influences their activity, we determined whether it might also influence ERalpha activity. We found that endogenously expressed Ape1/Ref-1 and ERalpha from MCF-7 human breast cancer cells interact and that Ape1/Ref-1 enhances the interaction of ERalpha with estrogen-response elements (EREs) in DNA. More importantly, Ape1/Ref-1 alters expression of the endogenous, estrogen-responsive progesterone receptor and pS2 genes in MCF-7 cells and associates with ERE-containing regions of these genes in native chromatin. Interestingly, knocking down Ape1/Ref-1 expression or inhibiting its redox activity with the small molecule inhibitor E3330 enhances estrogen responsiveness of the progesterone receptor and pS2 genes but does not alter the expression of the constitutively active 36B4 gene. Additionally, the reduced form of Ape1/Ref-1 increases and E3330 limits ERalpha-ERE complex formation in vitro and in native chromatin. Our studies demonstrate that Ape1/Ref-1 mediates its gene-specific effects, in part, by associating with endogenous, estrogen-responsive genes and that the redox activity of Ape1/Ref-1 is instrumental in altering estrogen-responsive gene expression.

Interaction of the tumor metastasis suppressor nonmetastatic protein 23 homologue H1 and estrogen receptor alpha alters estrogen-responsive gene expression.

Metastasis of cancer cells from the primary tumor is associated with poor prognosis and decreased overall survival. One protein implicated in inhibiting metastasis is the tumor metastasis suppressor nonmetastatic protein 23 homologue 1 (NM23-H1). NM23-H1 is a multifunctional protein, which, in addition to limiting metastasis, has DNase and histidine protein kinase activities. We have identified new functions for NM23-H1 in influencing estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha)-mediated gene expression. Using a battery of molecular and biochemical techniques, we show that NM23-H1 interacts with ER alpha and increases the ER alpha-estrogen response element (ERE) interaction. When NM23-H1 expression is increased in U2 osteosarcoma and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, transcription of a transiently transfected, estrogen-responsive reporter plasmid is decreased. More importantly, when endogenous NM23-H1 expression is knocked down in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells using small interfering RNA, estrogen responsiveness of the progesterone receptor (PR), Bcl-2, cathepsin D, and cyclin D1 genes, but not the pS2 gene, is enhanced. Furthermore, NM23-H1 associates with the region of the PR gene containing the +90 activator protein 1 site, but not with the ERE-containing region of the pS2 gene, indicating that NM23-H1 mediates gene-specific effects by association with endogenous chromatin. Our studies suggest that the capacity of NM23-H1 to limit the expression of estrogen-responsive genes such as cathepsin D and Bcl-2, which are involved in cell migration, apoptosis, and angiogenesis, may help to explain the metastasis-suppressive effects of this protein. The complementary abilities of ER alpha and NM23-H1 together to influence gene expression, cell migration, and apoptosis could be key factors in helping to determine tumor cell fate.