Evolutionary conserved regulation of HIF-1β by NF-κB

PLoS Genet. 2011 Jan 27;7(1):e1001285. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1001285.

Abstract

Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1) is essential for mammalian development and is the principal transcription factor activated by low oxygen tensions. HIF-α subunit quantities and their associated activity are regulated in a post-translational manner, through the concerted action of a class of enzymes called Prolyl Hydroxylases (PHDs) and Factor Inhibiting HIF (FIH) respectively. However, alternative modes of HIF-α regulation such as translation or transcription are under-investigated, and their importance has not been firmly established. Here, we demonstrate that NF-κB regulates the HIF pathway in a significant and evolutionary conserved manner. We demonstrate that NF-κB directly regulates HIF-1β mRNA and protein. In addition, we found that NF-κB-mediated changes in HIF-1β result in modulation of HIF-2α protein. HIF-1β overexpression can rescue HIF-2α protein levels following NF-κB depletion. Significantly, NF-κB regulates HIF-1β (tango) and HIF-α (sima) levels and activity (Hph/fatiga, ImpL3/ldha) in Drosophila, both in normoxia and hypoxia, indicating an evolutionary conserved mode of regulation. These results reveal a novel mechanism of HIF regulation, with impact in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for HIF-related pathologies including ageing, ischemia, and cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator / genetics*
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / genetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / genetics
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology

Substances

  • ARNT protein, human
  • Arnt protein, mouse
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • NF-kappa B
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • tgo protein, Drosophila
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator
  • endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1