Zinc-sensitive genes as potential new target genes of the metal transcription factor-1 (MTF-1)

Biochem Cell Biol. 2005 Apr;83(2):221-9. doi: 10.1139/o04-133.

Abstract

Zinc is an essential trace element that serves as a structural constituent of a large number of transcription factors, which explains its pivotal role in the control of gene expression. Previous studies investigating the effect of zinc deficiency and zinc supplementation on gene expression in the human adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 led to the identification of a considerable number of genes responding to alterations in cellular zinc status with changes in steady state mRNA levels. For 9 of 20 genes from these previous screenings that were studied in more detail, mRNA steady state levels responded to both high and low media zinc concentrations. As they are primarily zinc-dependent, we assessed whether these genes are controlled by the zinc-finger metal transcription factor MTF-1. To test this hypothesis we generated a doxycyline-inducible Tet-On HT-29 cell line overexpressing MTF-1. Using this conditional expression system, we present evidence that Kruppel-like factor 4 (klf4), hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1 (hhav), and complement factor B (cfbp) are 3 potential new target genes of MTF-1. To support this, we used in silico analysis to screen for metal-responsive elements (MREs) within promotors of zinc-sensitive genes. We conclude that zinc responsiveness of klf4, hhav, and cfbp in HT-29 cells is mediated at least in part by MTF-1.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Complement Factor B / genetics*
  • Complement Factor B / metabolism
  • Computational Biology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Doxycycline / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • HT29 Cells
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1
  • Humans
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Receptors, Virus / genetics*
  • Receptors, Virus / metabolism
  • Response Elements
  • Transcription Factor MTF-1
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Zinc / analysis
  • Zinc / metabolism*
  • Zinc Fingers

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • HAVCR1 protein, human
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1
  • KLF4 protein, human
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Virus
  • Transcription Factors
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Complement Factor B
  • Zinc
  • Doxycycline