Role of specific CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein isoforms in intestinal epithelial cells

J Biol Chem. 2001 Nov 23;276(47):44331-7. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M107591200. Epub 2001 Sep 14.

Abstract

Intestinal epithelial cells participate in the acute phase response in response to inflammation. We have shown that acute phase protein genes are induced during intestinal acute phase response, and that the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein family of transcription factors are involved. To address the role of specific C/EBP isoforms, we generated IEC-6 rat intestinal epithelial cell lines expressing different C/EBP isoforms, by retroviral infection. Overexpression of C/EBPalpha p30 and C/EBPdelta led to increases in C/EBPbeta LAP and C/EBPbeta LIP endogenous protein levels, as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays and Western blot. Inhibition of C/EBP activity with dominant negative C/EBPs (C/EBPbeta LIP, 3hF, 4hF) decreased glucocorticoid-, cAMP- and IL-1 responsiveness of the endogenous haptoglobin gene, while overexpression of each C/EBP isoform increased the responsiveness to these regulators. In contrast, dominant negative C/EBPs or C/EBP isoforms did not alter the expression of alpha-acid glycoprotein in response to dexamethasone and of C/EBPbeta and C/EBPdelta in response to various regulators as assessed by Northern blot. These data show that the three C/EBP isoforms are involved in the regulation of haptoglobin and that C/EBPbeta, C/EBPdelta, and alpha-acid glycoprotein expression are not induced by C/EBP isoforms in contrast to other cell types. C/EBPbeta LAP-expressing cells showed an inhibition of cell growth characterized by a delay in p27(Kip1) decrease in response to serum and a decrease in cyclin D isoforms and cyclin E protein levels. Finally, C/EBP isoforms interact with the E2F4 transcription factor. Thus, specific C/EBP isoforms are involved in the differential expression of acute phase protein genes in response to hormones and cytokines. Furthermore, C/EBP isoforms may play a role in the control of cell cycle progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute-Phase Proteins / physiology
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • E2F4 Transcription Factor
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Haptoglobins / biosynthesis
  • Intestinal Mucosa / cytology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Isoforms / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Acute-Phase Proteins
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • E2F4 Transcription Factor
  • Haptoglobins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Transcription Factors