Regulation of the apolipoprotein AI gene by ARP-1, a novel member of the steroid receptor superfamily.

Apolipoprotein AI (apoAI) is a lipid-binding protein that participates in the transport of cholesterol and other lipids in the plasma. A complementary DNA clone for a protein that bound to regulatory elements of the apoAI gene was isolated. This protein, designated apoAI regulatory protein-1 (ARP-1), is a novel member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily. ARP-1 bound to DNA as a dimer, and its dimerization domain was localized to the COOH-terminal region. ARP-1 also bound to a thyroid hormone-responsive element and to regulatory regions of the apoB, apoCIII, insulin, and ovalbumin genes. In cotransfection experiments, ARP-1 downregulated the apoAI gene. The involvement of ARP-1 in the regulation of apoAI gene expression suggests that it may participate in lipid metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis.

Synergistic interactions between transcription factors control expression of the apolipoprotein AI gene in liver cells.

The gene coding for apolipoprotein AI (apoAI), a plasma protein involved in the transport of cholesterol and other lipids in the plasma, is expressed predominantly in liver and intestine. Previous work in our laboratory has shown that different cis-acting elements in the 5'-flanking region of the human apoAI gene control its expression in human hepatoma (HepG2) and colon carcinoma (Caco-2) cells. Hepatocyte-specific expression is mediated by elements within the -256 to -41 DNA region relative to the apoAI gene transcription start site (+1). In this study it was found that the -222 to -110 apoAI gene region is necessary and sufficient for expression in HepG2 cells. It was also found that this DNA region functions as a powerful hepatocyte-specific transcriptional enhancer. Gel retardation and DNase I protection experiments showed that HepG2 cells contain proteins that bind to specific sites, sites A (-214 to -192), B (-169 to -146), and C (-134 to -119), within this enhancer. Site-directed mutagenesis that prevents binding of these proteins to individual or different combinations of these sites followed by functional analysis of these mutants in HepG2 cells revealed that protein binding to any one of these sites in the absence of binding to the others was not sufficient for expression. Binding to any two of these sites in any combination was sufficient for only low levels of expression. Binding to all three sites was essential for maximal expression. These results indicate that the transcriptional activity of the apoAI gene in liver cells is dependent on synergistic interactions between transcription factors bound to its enhancer.

Antagonism between apolipoprotein AI regulatory protein 1, Ear3/COUP-TF, and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 modulates apolipoprotein CIII gene expression in liver and intestinal cells.

Apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII), a lipid-binding protein involved in the transport of triglycerides and cholesterol in the plasma, is synthesized primarily in the liver and the intestine. A cis-acting regulatory element, C3P, located at -90 to -66 upstream from the apoCIII gene transcriptional start site (+1), is necessary for maximal expression of the apoCIII gene in human hepatoma (HepG2) and intestinal carcinoma (Caco2) cells. This report shows that three members of the steroid receptor superfamily of transcription factors, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF-4), apolipoprotein AI regulatory protein 1 (ARP-1), and Ear3/COUP-TF, act at the C3P site. HNF-4 activates apoCIII gene expression in HepG2 and Caco2 cells, while ARP-1 and Ear3/COUP-TF repress its expression in the same cells. HNF-4 activation is abolished by increasing amounts of ARP-1 or Ear3/COUP-TF, and repression by ARP-1 or Ear3/COUP-TF is alleviated by increasing amounts of HNF-4. HNF-4 and ARP-1 bind with similar affinities to the C3P site, suggesting that their opposing transcriptional effects may be mediated by direct competition for DNA binding. HNF-4 and ARP-1 mRNAs are present within the same cells in the liver and intestine, and protein extracts from hepatic tissue, HepG2, and Caco2 cells contain significantly more HNF-4 than ARP-1 or Ear3/COUP-TF binding activities. These findings suggest that the transcription of the apoCIII gene in vivo is dependent, at least in part, upon the intracellular balance of these positive and negative regulatory factors.

A recombinant inwardly rectifying potassium channel coupled to GTP-binding proteins.

GTP-binding (G) proteins have been shown to mediate activation of inwardly rectifying potassium (K+) channels in cardiac, neuronal and neuroendocrine cells. Here, we report functional expression of a recombinant inwardly rectifying channel which we call KGP (or hpKir3.4), to signify that it is K+ selective, G-protein-gated and isolated from human pancreas. KGP expression in Xenopus oocytes resulted in sizeable basal (or agonist-independent) currents while coexpression with a G-protein-linked receptor, yielded additional agonist-induced currents. Coexpression of KGP and hGIRK1 (a human brain homolog of GIRK1/Kir3.1) produced much larger basal currents than those observed with KGP or hGIRK1 alone, and upon coexpression with receptor, similarly large agonist-induced currents could be obtained. Pertussis toxin treatment significantly diminished agonist-dependent currents due to either KGP or KGP/hGIRK1 expression. Interestingly, PTX also significantly reduced basal KGP or KGP/hGIRK1 currents, suggesting that basal activity is largely the result of G-protein gating as well. When the two channels were coexpressed with receptor, the relative increase in current elicited by agonist was similar whether KGP and hGIRK1 were expressed alone or together. When in vitro translated or when expressed in Xenopus oocytes or CHO mammalian cells, KGP gave rise to a nonglycosylated 45-kD protein. Antibodies directed against either KGP or hGIRK1 coprecipitated both proteins coexpressed in oocytes, providing evidence for the heteromeric assembly of the two channels and suggesting that the current potentiation seen with coexpression of the two channel subunits is due to specific interactions between them. An endogenous oocyte protein similar in size to KGP was also coprecipitated with hGIRK1.

Crystal structure of the PDZ1 domain of human Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor provides insights into the mechanism of carboxyl-terminal leucine recognition by class I PDZ domains.

The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF; also known as EBP50) contains two PDZ domains that mediate the assembly of transmembrane and cytosolic proteins into functional signal transduction complexes. The NHERF PDZ1 domain interacts specifically with the motifs DSLL, DSFL, and DTRL present at the carboxyl termini of the beta(2) adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR), the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), respectively, and plays a central role in the physiological regulation of these proteins. The crystal structure of the human NHERF PDZ1 has been determined at 1.5 A resolution using multiwavelength anomalous diffraction phasing. The overall structure is similar to known PDZ structures, with notable differences in the NHERF PDZ1 carboxylate-binding loop that contains the GYGF motif, and the variable loop between the beta2 and beta3 strands. In the crystalline state, the carboxyl-terminal sequence DEQL of PDZ1 occupies the peptide-binding pocket of a neighboring PDZ1 molecule related by 2-fold crystallographic symmetry. This structure reveals the molecular mechanism of carboxyl-terminal leucine recognition by class I PDZ domains, and provides insights into the specificity of NHERF interaction with the carboxyl termini of several membrane receptors and ion channels, including the beta(2)AR, PDGFR, and CFTR.

Convergence of multiple nuclear receptor signaling pathways onto the long terminal repeat of human immunodeficiency virus-1.

A composite element that interacts with multiple nuclear receptors has been identified in the long terminal repeat (LTR) of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). This element, designated nuclear receptor-responsive element (NRRE), spans the -356 to -320 LTR region and contains tightly clustered binding sites for the retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXR alpha) and for five nuclear receptors with unknown ligands, apolipoprotein AI regulatory protein-1 (ARP-1), v-erbA-related proteins-2 and -3 (EAR-2 and EAR-3), hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 (HNF-4), and nerve growth factor-inducible protein-B (NGFI-B). The NRRE also interacts with heterodimers formed between RXR alpha and either ARP-1, EAR-2, EAR-3, the retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RAR alpha), or the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR). Remarkably, nuclear receptor binding is conserved in the LTRs of recently evolved HIV-1 strains but it is absent in the oldest and most divergent viral isolates, raising the intriguing possibility that the NRRE has been evolved recently in the viral genome. Cotransfection experiments in human choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cells have shown that the HIV-1 LTR-driven transcription is activated by RXR alpha and RAR alpha in the presence of 9-cis- and all-trans-retinoic acid, by PPAR and RXR alpha in the presence of clofibric acid and 9-cis-retinoic acid, and by the "orphan" receptors HNF-4 and NGFI-B. These findings suggest that a complex network of nuclear receptor signaling pathways, that include 9-cis- and all-trans-retinoic acid, fatty acids, peroxisome proliferators, growth factors, membrane depolarization, and possibly other signals, converge onto the HIV-1 NRRE and may participate in modulation of viral gene expression.

Expression and purification of recombinant hRPABC25, hRPABC17, and hRPABC14.4, three essential subunits of human RNA polymerases I, II, and III.

Transcription of eukaryotic genes is performed by RNA polymerases I, II, and III, which synthesize ribosomal, messenger, and transfer RNAs, respectively. Eukaryotic RNA polymerases are large macromolecular complexes composed of multiple subunits. Among these subunits, five are shared by all RNA polymerases and are essential for cell growth and viability. Remarkably, the human common subunits are structurally conserved and functionally interchangeable with their yeast homologues and are believed to play an important role in the assembly of the three transcription complexes. To understand the structure and function of human RNA polymerases, we overexpressed the common subunits hRPABC25, hRPABC17, and hRPABC14.4 as hexahistidine fusions in Escherichia coli. The recombinant proteins were purified using metal-chelate affinity chromatography on Ni-NTA resin and gel filtration. Depending on the subunit, the yield was 5-17 mg of purified recombinant protein per liter of culture medium. The purified proteins were of high quality and sufficient quantity for structural studies, as demonstrated by the successful crystallization of hRPABC17 and hRPABC14.4. The expression and purification of the common subunits hRPABC25, hRPABC17, and hRPABC14. 4 will make possible their structural analysis with X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance, providing important insights into the structure and function of the three human RNA polymerases.

Critical structural elements and multitarget protein interactions of the transcriptional activator AF-1 of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4.

The nuclear receptor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF-4) is an important regulator of several genes involved in diverse metabolic and developmental pathways. Mutations in the HNF-4A gene are responsible for the maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 1. Recently, we showed that the 24 N-terminal residues of HNF-4 function as an acidic transcriptional activator, termed AF-1 (Hadzopoulou-Cladaras, M., Kistanova, E., Evagelopoulou, C., Zeng, S. , Cladaras C., and Ladias, J. A. A. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 539-550). To identify the critical residues for this activator, we performed an extensive genetic analysis using site-directed mutagenesis. We showed that the aromatic and bulky hydrophobic residues Tyr6, Tyr14, Phe19, Lys10, and Lys17 are essential for AF-1 function. To a lesser degree, five acidic residues are also important for optimal activity. Positional changes of Tyr6 and Tyr14 reduced AF-1 activity, underscoring the importance of primary structure for this activator. Our analysis also indicated that AF-1 is bipartite, consisting of two modules that synergize to activate transcription. More important, AF-1 shares common structural motifs and molecular targets with the activators of the tumor suppressor protein p53 and NF-kappaB-p65, suggesting similar mechanisms of action. Remarkably, AF-1 interacted specifically with multiple transcriptional targets, including the TATA-binding protein; the TATA-binding protein-associated factors TAFII31 and TAFII80; transcription factor IIB; transcription factor IIH-p62; and the coactivators cAMP-responsive element-binding protein-binding protein, ADA2, and PC4. The interaction of AF-1 with proteins that regulate distinct steps of transcription may provide a mechanism for synergistic activation of gene expression by AF-1.

Structural basis of the Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor PDZ1 interaction with the carboxyl-terminal region of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.

The PDZ1 domain of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF) binds with nanomolar affinity to the carboxyl-terminal sequence QDTRL of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and plays a central role in the cellular localization and physiological regulation of this chloride channel. The crystal structure of human NHERF PDZ1 bound to the carboxyl-terminal peptide QDTRL has been determined at 1.7-A resolution. The structure reveals the specificity and affinity determinants of the PDZ1-CFTR interaction and provides insights into carboxyl-terminal leucine recognition by class I PDZ domains. The peptide ligand inserts into the PDZ1 binding pocket forming an additional antiparallel beta-strand to the PDZ1 beta-sheet, and an extensive network of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions stabilize the complex. Remarkably, the guanido group of arginine at position -1 of the CFTR peptide forms two salt bridges and two hydrogen bonds with PDZ1 residues Glu(43) and Asn(22), respectively, providing the structural basis for the contribution of the penultimate amino acid of the peptide ligand to the affinity of the interaction.

Solution structure of the hRPABC14.4 subunit of human RNA polymerases.

The protein hRPABC14.4 is an essential subunit of human RNA polymerases I, II, and III and is required for the transcription of all human nuclear genes. The structure of hRPABC14.4 was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The protein fold comprises a highly conserved central domain forming two antiparallel alpha-helices flanked by the less conserved N- and C-terminal regions forming a five-stranded beta-sandwich. Amino acids from the two helices participate in the generation of a hydrophobic surface area which is conserved in all eukaryotic and archaeal homologous subunits, and likely constitutes a critical macromolecular interaction interface. The hRPABC14.4 structure accounts for mutagenesis results in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and provides a structural working model for elucidating the role of this subunit in the molecular architecture and function of the human nuclear RNA polymerases.

BRCA1 interaction with RNA polymerase II reveals a role for hRPB2 and hRPB10alpha in activated transcription.

The functions of most of the 12 subunits of the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) enzyme are unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that two of the subunits, hRPB2 and hRPB10alpha, mediate the regulated stimulation of transcription. We find that the transcriptional coactivator BRCA1 interacts directly with the core Pol II complex in vitro. We tested whether single subunits from Pol II would compete with the intact Pol II complex to inhibit transcription stimulated by BRCA1. Excess purified Pol II subunits hRPB2 or hRPB10alpha blocked BRCA1- and VP16-dependent transcriptional activation in vitro with minimal effect on basal transcription. No other Pol II subunits tested inhibited activated transcription in these assays. Furthermore, hRPB10alpha, but not hRPB2, blocked Sp1-dependent activation.

Functional domains of the nuclear receptor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4.

The hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF-4) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and participates in the regulation of several genes involved in diverse metabolic pathways and developmental processes. To date, the functional domains of this nuclear receptor have not been identified, and it is not known whether its transcriptional activity is regulated by a ligand or other signals. In this report, we show that HNF-4 contains two transactivation domains, designated AF-1 and AF-2, which activate transcription in a cell type-independent manner. AF-1 consists of the extreme N-terminal 24 amino acids and functions as a constitutive autonomous activator of transcription. This short transactivator belongs to the class of acidic activators, and it is predicted to adopt an amphipathic alpha-helical structure. In contrast, the AF-2 transactivator is complex, spanning the 128-366 region of HNF-4, and it cannot be further dissected without impairing activity. The 360-366 region of HNF-4 contains a motif that is highly conserved among transcriptionally active nuclear receptors, and it is essential for AF-2 activity, but it is not necessary for dimerization and DNA binding of HNF-4. Thus, HNF-4 deletion mutants lacking the 361-465 region bind efficiently to DNA as homo- and heterodimers and behave as dominant negative mutants. Remarkably, the full transactivation potential of AF-2 is inhibited by the region spanning residues 371-465 (region F). The inhibitory effect of region F on the HNF-4 AF-2 activity is a unique feature among members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, and we propose that it defines a distinct regulatory mechanism of transcriptional activation by HNF-4.

Crystallographic characterization of the PDZ1 domain of the human Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor.

The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF) contains two PDZ domains that mediate the assembly of transmembrane and cytosolic proteins into functional signal transduction complexes. The human NHERF PDZ1 domain, which spans residues 11-99, interacts specifically with carboxy-terminal residues of the beta2 adrenergic receptor and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. The NHERF PDZ1 was expressed in Escherichia coli as a soluble protein, purified and crystallized in the unbound form using the vapor-diffusion method with 2 M ammonium sulfate as the precipitant. Diffraction data were collected to 1.5 A resolution using synchrotron radiation. The crystals belong to space group P3(1)21 or P3(2)21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 51.6, c = 58.9 A, and one molecule in the asymmetric unit.

Apolipoprotein A1 Baltimore (Arg10----Leu), a new ApoA1 variant.

A new apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) gene variant has been identified in a family ascertained through a proband undergoing coronary angiography. The variant, ApoA1 Baltimore, was due to a mutation at codon 34 of the third exon of the APOA1 gene (CGA to CTA) that resulted in an arginine-to-leucine substitution at the tenth amino acid of the mature ApoA1 and a change in charge of -1. The mutation abolishes a TaqI restriction site and it is easily detectable after polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA. The proband was heterozygous for the mutation. Eight other members of the pedigree had the same ApoA1 variant. Cosegregation of the variant with hypoalphalipoproteinemia could not be demonstrated and the association of this mutation with hypoalphalipoproteinemia was confined to three affected members of the nuclear family. No effect of the mutant on any lipoprotein phenotype could be established.

Genetic linkage of the human apolipoprotein AI-CIII-AIV gene cluster and the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) gene.

The genes encoding apolipoproteins AI, CIII, and AIV, three plasma proteins involved in lipid metabolism, are clustered within a 15-kb DNA segment (apoAI-CIII-AIV gene cluster) located on human chromosome 11 at band q23. The gene encoding the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), a cell surface glycoprotein involved in cell-cell recognition during morphogenesis, is also located on chromosome 11, band q23. In this report, 12 previously described restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the apoAI-CIII-AIV gene cluster were tested for cosegregation with a newly identified BamHI RFLP in the NCAM gene using 13 families. The results show that the apoAI-CIII-AIV gene cluster and the NCAM gene loci are linked with a maximum lod score of 15.9 at a recombination fraction of 0.028. In addition, an approach for the most efficient use of the apoAI-CIII-AIV gene cluster polymorphisms, based on the evaluation of their individual and cumulative heterozygosities, is presented.

Transcriptional regulation of human apolipoprotein genes ApoB, ApoCIII, and ApoAII by members of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily HNF-4, ARP-1, EAR-2, and EAR-3.

Apolipoproteins B, CIII, and AII are synthesized primarily in the liver and intestine and play an important role in lipid and cholesterol metabolism. It was previously shown that the cis-acting elements (BA1 (-79 to -63), CIIIB (-87 to -63), and AIIJ (-740 to -719) present in the regulatory regions of the human apoB, apoCIII, and apoAII genes, respectively, are recognized by common transcription factors present in hepatic nuclear extracts. This report shows that four members of the steroid receptor superfamily, ARP-1, EAR-2, EAR-3, and HNF-4, bind specifically to the regulatory elements BA1, CIIIB, and AIIJ. Dissociation constant measurements showed that ARP-1, EAR-2, and HNF-4 bind to elements BA1 and CIIIB with similar affinities (Kd 1-3 nM). Cotransfection experiments in HepG2 cells revealed that ARP-1, EAR-2, and EAR-3 repressed the BA1, CIIIB, and AIIJ element-dependent transcription of the reporter gene constructs and the transcription driven by homopolymeric promoters containing either five BA1 or two CIIIB elements. In contrast, HNF-4 activated transcription of reporter genes containing the elements BA1, CIIIB, and AIIJ and reversed the ARP-1-mediated repression of the apoB and apoCIII genes. These results suggested that the opposing transcription effects observed between HNF-4 and ARP-1 may be due to competition for binding to the same regulatory element. Mutations which affected the binding of HNF-4 to elements BA1 and CIIIB affected its ability to activate transcription of the apoB and apoCIII reporter genes, respectively. Transcriptional activation by HNF-4 depended on the presence of elements II (-112 to -94) and III (-86 to -62) of the apoB and H (-705 to -690), I (-766 to -726), and J (-792 to -779) of the apoCIII promoters, indicating that transcriptional activation of apoB and apoCIII genes by HNF-4 requires the synergistic interaction of factors binding to these elements. The finding that HNF-4, ARP-1, EAR-2 and EAR-3 can regulate the expression of the apoB, apoCIII, and apoAII genes suggest that these nuclear hormone receptors may be an important part of the signal transduction pathways modulating lipid metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis.

DNA polymorphism haplotypes of the human lipoprotein lipase gene: possible association with high density lipoprotein levels.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays a central role in the metabolism of lipoproteins by hydrolyzing the core triglycerides of circulating very low density lipoproteins and chylomicrons. The enzyme is encoded by a gene about 30 kb in size located on the short arm of human chromosome 8. We have determined the locations of the four common DNA polymorphisms along the gene, including a polymorphism that occurred only among an American black population examined. These restriction site polymorphisms were used for haplotype analysis of Mediterranean and US black families. Estimation of the extent of nonrandom association between these polymorphisms indicated considerable linkage disequilibrium between these sites. No correlation was observed between the level of linkage disequilibrium and the physical distance of the polymorphic sites. The polymorphism information content of the haplotypes ranged from 0.65 to 0.74, thereby constituting a relatively useful genetic marker on chromosome 8. We tested for possible associations between the polymorphisms and circulating lipoprotein phenotypes in a population of 139 Caucasians undergoing coronary arteriography and 50 of their spouses. Some possibly significant associations between LPL gene polymorphisms and levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.015) and total plasma cholesterol (P = 0.025) were observed. In contrast to a previous report, we found no significant associations with the levels of plasma triglycerides.

Apolipoprotein B-100 Hopkins (arginine4019----tryptophan). A new apolipoprotein B-100 variant in a family with premature atherosclerosis and hyperapobetalipoproteinemia.

A 43-year-old woman with severe coronary artery disease and hyperapobetalipoproteinemia was heterozygous for an abnormal Msp I apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene fragment because of the absence of the MspI site around codon 4046 in exon 29 of the APOB gene. Using the polymerase chain reaction technique, 134 base pairs containing the mutant Msp I site were amplified, cloned, and sequenced. The mutation was a C to T transition, substituting tryptophan for arginine at amino acid position 4019 of the mature ApoB-100 protein. Seven relatives of the proband had the same mutation, which has been called "ApoB-100 Hopkins." Only three of seven relatives with the mutation had hyperapobetalipoproteinemia; one was borderline while two other relatives without the mutation had hyperapobetalipoproteinemia. Mutant low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was bound and degraded to a greater extent than normal LDL in cultured human fibroblasts. In conclusion, a new mutation, ApoB-100 Hopkins, was not linked to the hyperapobetalipoproteinemia phenotype, which also was segregating in this family. The increased affinity of this mutant LDL for the LDL receptor may be due to a specific effect of ApoB-100 Hopkins or to altered LDL size and composition.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 activates medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene transcription by interacting with a complex regulatory element.

We have recently identified a complex transcriptional regulatory element in the medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) gene promoter region that confers response to retinoids through interaction with receptors for all-trans-retinoic acid (RARs) and 9-cis-retinoic acid (RXRs) (Raisher, B. D., Gulick, T., Zhang, Z., Strauss, A. W., Moore, D. D., and Kelly, D. P. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 20264-20269). We examined the interaction of this element (RAREMCAD) with hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 (HNF-4), an orphan receptor with a tissue expression pattern similar to that of MCAD. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and cotransfection experiments showed that HNF-4 binds with high affinity to RAREMCAD to activate transcription by an RXR-independent mechanism. Mutational analysis revealed that the MCAD HNF-4 response element consists of an imperfect direct repeat homologous to the consensus sequence for binding to the thyroid receptor/RAR/RXR subgroup of receptors and that distinct sequence requirements dictate HNF-4 binding and transactivation. Mobility shift assays with anti-HNF-4 antiserum demonstrated that the MCAD HNF-4 response element binds endogenous rat liver HNF-4 supporting its role in the regulation of MCAD gene expression in vivo. Thus, HNF-4 activates MCAD gene transcription via a complex regulatory element, the architecture of which carries important implications for the structure of HNF-4 response elements in general.

Apolipoprotein B gene haplotypes. Association between Ag and DNA polymorphisms.

Berg et al. (Clin Genet 1986;30:515-520) have reported that an Xba I DNA polymorphic site in exon 26 of the apolipoprotein (apo) B gene is associated both with the Ag(x/y) immunochemical polymorphism and with elevated serum lipoprotein levels. Ma et al. (Arteriosclerosis 1987;7:301-305) have reported that the same Xba I polymorphism is associated with a different immunochemical polymorphism, Ag(c/g). To extend and clarify these observations, we have determined the Ag and Xba I polymorphism for 106 individuals. We find that the Xba I restriction fragment length polymorphism is in linkage disequilibrium with both Ag(x/y) and Ag(c/g) loci; thus, all 31 Xba I(X1/X1) genotypes observed in this study are also Ag(y/y). All but one of 22 Xba I(X2/X2) genotypes are also Ag(g/g). For individuals homozygous at either two or three of these loci, it was possible to determine the haplotypes for 128 apo B alleles. Of the eight possible apo B haplotypes, only four were represented in this unambiguous subpopulation, although other minor haplotypes were present in the total population from which it was derived. The identification of major apo B haplotypes in human populations may simplify the search for significant correlations between certain apo B alleles and lipid levels and atherosclerosis.