Inverse expression pattern of REST and synapsin I in human neuroblastoma cells.
The zinc finger protein REST is a repressor of neuronal genes in nonneuronal tissues. We have analyzed the expression of REST, together with the expression of a REST target gene, encoding synapsin I, in human neuroblastoma cells. It was found that REST and synapsin I are coexpressed in neuroblastoma cell lines, although the expression of REST was inversely proportional to the levels of synapsin I mRNA. Thus, increased expression of synapsin I was directly correlated with decreased expression of REST. These expression data are in excellent correlation with synapsin I promoter activity measured in neuroblastoma cells showing that an increase in the REST concentration switched off synapsin I promoter activity. We conclude that the concentration of REST determines the expression level of neuronal genes such as the synapsin I gene.
Lietz
M
M
Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany.
Cicchetti
P
P
Thiel
G
G
D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016704:Synapsins / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D016335:Zinc Fingers; D000099229:RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D016704:Synapsins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000099229:RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor