Transcription factor ZBP-89 is required for STAT1 constitutive expression

Nucleic Acids Res. 2003 Dec 15;31(24):7264-70. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkg929.

Abstract

IFNgamma is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that potentiates p53-independent apoptosis in a variety of cell types. STAT1 is the primary mediator of IFNgamma action. ZBP-89 is a transcription factor that binds to the G/C-rich elements and mediates p53-independent apoptosis. In this study, site-directed mutagenesis revealed that a G-rich element from +171 to +179 within the first intron of the STAT1 gene is critical for optimal STAT1 promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and promoter analysis revealed that ZBP-89 binds directly to this STAT1 G-rich element along with Sp1 and Sp3. Reduction of ZBP-89 with siRNA attenuated both basal and IFNgamma-induced STAT1 expression and subsequently diminished the activation of apoptotic markers, e.g. caspase-3 and PARP. Taken together, we conclude that ZBP-89 is required for constitutive STAT1 expression and in this way contributes to the ability of cells to be activated by IFNgamma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Introns / genetics
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Response Elements / genetics*
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • STAT1 protein, human
  • Stat1 protein, rat
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • ZNF148 protein, human
  • Zfp148 protein, rat
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases
  • Caspases