EGR1 Functions as a Potent Repressor of MEF2 Transcriptional Activity

PLoS One. 2015 May 26;10(5):e0127641. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127641. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

The myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factor requires interactions with co-factors for precise regulation of its target genes. Our lab previously reported that the mammalian MEF2A isoform regulates the cardiomyocyte costamere, a critical muscle-specific focal adhesion complex involved in contractility, through its transcriptional control of genes encoding proteins localized to this cytoskeletal structure. To further dissect the transcriptional mechanisms of costamere gene regulation and identify potential co-regulators of MEF2A, a bioinformatics analysis of transcription factor binding sites was performed using the proximal promoter regions of selected costamere genes. One of these predicted sites belongs to the early growth response (EGR) transcription factor family. The EGR1 isoform has been shown to be involved in a number of pathways in cardiovascular homeostasis and disease, making it an intriguing candidate MEF2 coregulator to further characterize. Here, we demonstrate that EGR1 interacts with MEF2A and is a potent and specific repressor of MEF2 transcriptional activity. Furthermore, we show that costamere gene expression in cardiomyocytes is dependent on EGR1 transcriptional activity. This study identifies a mechanism by which MEF2 activity can be modulated to ensure that costamere gene expression is maintained at levels commensurate with cardiomyocyte contractile activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Computational Biology
  • Early Growth Response Protein 1 / genetics
  • Early Growth Response Protein 1 / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors / genetics
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Rats
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics*
  • Transcriptional Activation*

Substances

  • Early Growth Response Protein 1
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors