JunB contributes to Id2 repression and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in response to transforming growth factor-β

J Cell Biol. 2012 Mar 5;196(5):589-603. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201109045.

Abstract

The process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in response to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) contributes to tissue fibrosis, wound healing, and cancer via a mechanism that is not fully understood. This study identifies a critical role of JunB in the EMT and profibrotic responses to TGF-β. Depletion of JunB by small interfering ribonucleic acid abrogates TGF-β-induced disruption of cell-cell junctions, formation of actin fibers, focal adhesions, and expression of fibrotic proteins. JunB contributes to Smad-mediated repression of inhibitor of differentiation 2 through interaction with transcription repressor activating transcription factor 3. Importantly, JunB mediates the TGF-β induction of profibrotic response factors, fibronectin, fibulin-2, tropomyosin (Tpm1), and integrin-β3, which play critical roles in matrix deposition, cell-matrix adhesion, and actin stress fibers. In summary, JunB provides important input in setting the transcriptional program of the EMT and profibrotic responses to TGF-β. Thus, JunB represents an important target in diseases associated with EMT, including cancer and fibrosis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell-Matrix Junctions / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / physiology*
  • Fibrosis / metabolism
  • Fibrosis / pathology
  • Focal Adhesions / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2 / metabolism*
  • Kidney / cytology
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / cytology
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Smad4 Protein / genetics
  • Smad4 Protein / metabolism
  • Stress Fibers / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • ID2 protein, human
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun
  • Smad4 Protein
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta