Hyper-activated IRF-1 and STAT1 contribute to enhanced interferon stimulated gene (ISG) expression by interferon alpha and gamma co-treatment in human hepatoma cells

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2006 Aug-Sep;1759(8-9):417-25. doi: 10.1016/j.bbaexp.2006.08.003.

Abstract

Previous reports suggest that type I and type II Interferon can co-operatively inhibit some virus replication, e.g. HCV, SARS-CoV, HSV-1. To find out the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon, we analyzed the transcription profile stimulated by IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma in Huh-7 cells and found that the transcription of a subset of IFN stimulated genes (ISGs) including BclG, XAF1, TRAIL and TAP1 was enhanced when IFN-alpha and gamma were both present. Promoter analysis of BclG revealed that IRF-1 and STAT1 were both required in this process. Enhanced IRF-1/DNA complex formation was observed in interferon co-treatment group by gel shift analysis. Furthermore, IRF-1 activation was found to be generally required in this cluster of ISGs. STAT1 tyrosine phosphorylation was elevated by IFN combination treatment, however, only the hyper-transactivation of GAS but not ISRE was observed. In conclusion, hyper-activation of IRF-1 and elevated STAT1 dimer formation may be two general switches which contribute to a much more robust antiviral symphony against virus replication when type I and type II IFNs are co-administered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dimerization
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 / genetics
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 / metabolism*
  • Interferon Type I / pharmacology*
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / chemistry
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • BCL2L14 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-1
  • Interferon Type I
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • STAT1 protein, human
  • Interferon-gamma