Ectopic expression of Hel-N1, an RNA-binding protein, increases glucose transporter (GLUT1) expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
3T3-L1 preadipocytes ectopically expressing the mammalian RNA-binding protein Hel-N1 expressed up to 10-fold more glucose transporter (GLUT1) protein and exhibited elevated rates of basal glucose uptake. Hel-N1 is a member of the ELAV-like family of proteins associated with the induction and maintenance of differentiation in various species. ELAV proteins are known to bind in vitro to short stretches of uridylates in the 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) of unstable mRNAs encoding growth-regulatory proteins involved in transcription and signal transduction. GLUT1 mRNA also contains a large 3'UTR with a U-rich region that binds specifically to Hel-N1 in vitro. Analysis of the altered GLUT1 expression at the translational and posttranscriptional levels suggested a mechanism involving both mRNA stabilization and accelerated formation of translation initiation complexes. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the Hel-N1 family of proteins modulate gene expression at the level of mRNA in the cytoplasm.
Jain
R G
RG
Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834, USA.
Andrews
L G
LG
McGowan
K M
KM
Pekala
P H
PH
Keene
J D
JD
D016475:3T3 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D051959:ELAV Proteins; D000067777:ELAV-Like Protein 2; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D051272:Glucose Transporter Type 1; D051275:Glucose Transporter Type 4; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011132:Polyribosomes / Q000737:chemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014162:Transfection
D051959:ELAV Proteins; D000067777:ELAV-Like Protein 2; C086811:ELAVL2 protein, human; D051272:Glucose Transporter Type 1; D051275:Glucose Transporter Type 4; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C495678:Slc2a1 protein, mouse; C495693:Slc2a4 protein, mouse; D004247:DNA