Alpha-defensin expression during myelopoiesis: identification of cis and trans elements that regulate expression of NP-3 in rat promyelocytes

J Leukoc Biol. 2004 Feb;75(2):332-41. doi: 10.1189/jlb.0803384. Epub 2003 Nov 21.

Abstract

Alpha-defensins are antimicrobial peptides that contribute to innate-immune functions of neutrophils and intestinal Paneth cells. Transcription of alpha-defensin genes occurs early in neutrophilic myelopoeisis. To examine the mechanisms that regulate alpha-defensin gene expression, we analyzed transcription of rat neutrophil alpha-defensin NP-3 in D4 cells, a subclone of the promyelocytic cell line IPC-81. Northern blot analysis showed that D4 cells express fivefold higher levels of alpha-defensin mRNA than the parental cell line in a manner relatively independent of passage number. Increased levels of steady-state mRNA in D4 cells correlated with markedly elevated peptide levels detected by immunocytochemical staining. To identify the cis-acting DNA elements involved in tissue-specific expression, D4 cells were transfected with luciferase reporter constructs containing NP-3 gene 5'-flanking sequences. Analyses of transfected D4 cells demonstrated that the proximal 87 base pair (bp) sequence contained cis-acting DNA elements necessary for optimal promoter activity. Mutational analyses within the 87-bp region suggested the involvement of the CAAT box and a putative polyoma enhancer-binding protein 2/core-binding factor (PEBP2/CBF) site in defensin gene transcription. Transient transfection analyses using tandem repeats of oligonucleotides containing these sequences demonstrated that proximity of the CAAT box and PEBP2/CBF site was important for defensin promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that PEBP2/CBF or a PEBP2/CBF-related protein was involved in a specific protein-DNA interaction occurring within a DNA fragment containing the CAAT and PEBP2/CBF sequences. These data identify functional trans- and cis-elements that regulate rat defensin gene expression in high defensin-expressing promyelocytic cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Clone Cells
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes, Regulator*
  • Granulocyte Precursor Cells / metabolism*
  • Mutation
  • Myelopoiesis*
  • Neutrophils
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Rats
  • Transfection
  • alpha-Defensins / biosynthesis
  • alpha-Defensins / genetics*

Substances

  • alpha-Defensins
  • neutrophil peptide 3, rat