Regulation of microRNAs by Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1) in smooth muscle cells

J Biol Chem. 2013 Mar 1;288(9):6397-408. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.409474. Epub 2013 Jan 20.

Abstract

MicroRNAs are involved in phenotypic switching of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Brg1-containing SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complexes also play an important role in controlling the phenotype of SMCs. We thus determined whether Brg1 influences the transcription of microRNAs in SMCs. Microarray and quantitative RT-PCR analysis of smooth muscle from mice harboring smooth muscle-specific deletion of Brg1 revealed altered expression of several microRNAs, including miRs-143/145 and miR-133. Ablation of Brg1 in SMCs in vitro either by expression of dominant negative Brg1 or Brg1 knock-out attenuated miRs-143/145 expression. Knockdown of serum response factor (SRF) in SMCs significantly reduced the expression levels of miRs-143/145 and miR-133, whereas knockdown of myocardin only attenuated miRs-143/145 expression. Myocardin induced expression of miRs-143/145 and miR-133a and increased SRF binding to these genes in 10T1/2 cells. This myocardin-mediated induction was attenuated by dominant negative Brg1. In Brg1-null SW13 cells, miRs-143/145 were dramatically induced by myocardin only in the presence of Brg1, whereas miR-133 was not induced by myocardin in a Brg1-dependent manner. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that in the presence of Brg1, myocardin increased SRF binding to both the miRs-143/145 and miR-133a loci. Together, these data suggest a mechanism in which Brg1-containing SWI/SNF complexes are required for myocardin to induce expression of miRs-143/145 in smooth muscle cells. In contrast, miR-133 expression appears to be regulated by Brg1-containing chromatin remodeling complexes in a partially SRF-dependent, although largely myocardin-independent manner. SWI/SNF-mediated chromatin remodeling thus regulates the phenotype of smooth muscle by affecting expression of protein-coding genes and microRNAs.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly / physiology*
  • DNA Helicases / genetics
  • DNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Multiprotein Complexes / genetics
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / cytology
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Serum Response Factor / genetics
  • Serum Response Factor / metabolism
  • Trans-Activators / biosynthesis
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • SRF protein, human
  • Serum Response Factor
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • myocardin
  • SMARCA4 protein, human
  • Smarca4 protein, mouse
  • DNA Helicases