The nuclear factor of κB (NFκB) family has been well known for its significant role in regulating the expression of numerous genes that control many biological processes. However, it is unclear whether NFκB could regulate milk synthesis. In this study, we identified NFκB1 as a critical regulator for milk synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs). Gene function study revealed that NFκB1 modulates the expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), sterol response element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c, and β4Gal-T2 for milk synthesis. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that both methionine (Met) and estrogen (E) triggered NFκB1 to bind to gene promoters of mTOR, SREBP-1c, and β4Gal-T2 in BMECs. In addition, we confirmed that Met and E triggered NFκB1 expression and phosphorylation via phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) but not mTOR signaling pathway. Taken together, our study reveals that NFκB1 acts as a PI3K but not mTOR-dependent critical mediator for the transcriptional activation of signaling molecules regulating milk synthesis in BMECs.
Keywords: NFκB1; PI3K; mammary epithelial cells; milk synthesis.