Myocyte enhancer factor 2 and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor cooperate with NFATc1 to transactivate the V-ATPase d2 promoter during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis

J Biol Chem. 2009 May 22;284(21):14667-76. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M901670200. Epub 2009 Mar 25.

Abstract

The V-ATPase d2 protein constitutes an important subunit of the V-ATPase proton pump, which regulates bone homeostasis; however, currently little is known about its transcriptional regulation. Here, in an attempt to understand regulation of the V-ATPase d2 promoter, we identified the presence of NFATc1, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF)- and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2)-binding sites within the V-ATPase d2 promoter using complementary bioinformatic analyses, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and electromobility shift assay. Intriguingly, activation of the V-ATPase d2 promoter by NFATc1 was enhanced by either MEF2 or MITF overexpression. By comparison, coexpression of MITF and MEF2 did not further enhance V-ATPase d2 promoter activity above that of expression of MITF alone. Consistent with a role in transcriptional regulation, both NFATc1 and MITF proteins translocated from the cytosol to the nucleus during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, whereas MEF2 persisted in the nucleus of both osteoclasts and their mononuclear precursors. Targeted mutation of the putative NFATc1-, MITF-, or MEF2-binding sites in the V-ATPase d2 promoter impaired its transcriptional activation. Additionally retroviral overexpression of MITF or MEF2 in RAW264.7 cells potentiated RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and V-ATPase d2 gene expression. Based on these data, we propose that MEF2 and MITF function cooperatively with NFATc1 to transactivate the V-ATPase d2 promoter during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Pairing / drug effects
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors
  • Mice
  • Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor / genetics
  • Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / genetics
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / metabolism*
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / genetics
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Osteoclasts / cytology*
  • Osteoclasts / drug effects
  • Osteoclasts / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics*
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • RANK Ligand / pharmacology
  • Transcriptional Activation* / drug effects
  • Transcriptional Activation* / genetics
  • Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases / genetics*

Substances

  • MEF2 Transcription Factors
  • Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Nfatc1 protein, mouse
  • RANK Ligand
  • Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases