Ets1 is required for p53 transcriptional activity in UV-induced apoptosis in embryonic stem cells

EMBO J. 2002 Aug 1;21(15):4081-93. doi: 10.1093/emboj/cdf413.

Abstract

Embryonic stem (ES) cells contain a p53-dependent apoptosis mechanism to avoid the continued proliferation and differentiation of damaged cells. We show that mouse ES cells lacking Ets1 are deficient in their ability to undergo UV-induced apoptosis, similar to p53 null ES cells. In Ets1(-/-) ES cells, UV induction of the p53 regulated genes mdm2, perp, cyclin G and bax was decreased both at mRNA and protein levels. While p53 protein levels were unaltered in Ets1(-/-) cells, its ability to transactivate genes such as mdm2 and cyclin G was reduced. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility shift assays and immunoprecipitations demonstrated that the presence of Ets1 was necessary for a CBP/p53 complex to be formed. Chromatin immunoprecipitations demonstrated that Ets1 was required for the formation of a stable p53-DNA complex under physiological conditions and activation of histone acetyltransferase activity. These data demonstrate that Ets1 is an essential component of a UV-responsive p53 transcriptional activation complex in ES cells and suggests that Ets1 may contribute to the specificity of p53-dependent gene transactivation in distinct cellular compartments.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Acetyltransferases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Apoptosis / radiation effects
  • CREB-Binding Protein
  • Cell Compartmentation
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Cycle / radiation effects
  • Cells, Cultured / cytology
  • Cells, Cultured / metabolism
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Chromatin / radiation effects
  • Cyclin G
  • Cyclin G1
  • Cyclins / biosynthesis
  • Cyclins / genetics
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Gene Expression Regulation / radiation effects
  • Gene Targeting
  • Genes, p53
  • Histone Acetyltransferases
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / deficiency
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / physiology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / radiation effects*
  • Trans-Activators / chemistry
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Transcription, Genetic / physiology*
  • Transcription, Genetic / radiation effects
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / chemistry
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / physiology*
  • Ultraviolet Rays*
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein

Substances

  • Bax protein, mouse
  • CCNG1 protein, human
  • Ccng1 protein, mouse
  • Chromatin
  • Cyclin G
  • Cyclin G1
  • Cyclins
  • Ets1 protein, mouse
  • Histones
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Perp protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • DNA
  • Acetyltransferases
  • CREB-Binding Protein
  • Crebbp protein, mouse
  • Histone Acetyltransferases
  • Mdm2 protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2