A pancreatic beta -cell-specific enhancer in the human PDX-1 gene is regulated by hepatocyte nuclear factor 3beta (HNF-3beta ), HNF-1alpha, and SPs transcription factors

J Biol Chem. 2001 May 18;276(20):17533-40. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M009088200. Epub 2001 Feb 5.

Abstract

The PDX-1 transcription factor plays a key role in pancreas development. Although expressed in all cells at the early stages, in the adult it is mainly restricted to the beta-cell. To characterize the regulatory elements and potential transcription factors necessary for human PDX-1 gene expression in beta-cells, we constructed a series of 5' and 3' deletion fragments of the 5'-flanking region of the gene, fused to the luciferase reporter gene. In this report, we identify by transient transfections in beta- and non-beta-cells a novel beta-cell-specific distal enhancer element located between -3.7 and -3.45 kilobases. DNase I footprinting analysis revealed two protected regions, one binding the transcription factors SP1 and SP3 and the other hepatocyte nuclear factor 3beta (HNF-3beta) and HNF-1alpha. Cotransfection experiments suggest that HNF-3beta, HNF-1alpha, and SP1 are positive regulators of the herein-described human PDX-1 enhancer element. Furthermore, mutations within each motif abolished the binding of the corresponding factor(s) and dramatically impaired the enhancer activity, therefore suggesting cooperativity between these factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • CHO Cells
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cricetinae
  • DNA Footprinting
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-beta
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-beta
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Islets of Langerhans / metabolism*
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Podophyllin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Podophyllin / metabolism*
  • Podophyllotoxin / analogs & derivatives
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • FOXA2 protein, human
  • Foxa2 protein, mouse
  • HNF1A protein, human
  • HNF1B protein, human
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha
  • Hnf1a protein, mouse
  • Hnf1b protein, mouse
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 protein
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-beta
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-beta
  • mitopodozide
  • Podophyllin
  • Luciferases
  • Podophyllotoxin