YY1 is a negative regulator of transcription of three sterol regulatory element-binding protein-responsive genes.
Ying Yang 1 (YY1) is shown to bind to the proximal promoters of the genes encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase, farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthase, and the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. To investigate the potential effect of YY1 on the expression of SREBP-responsive genes, HepG2 cells were transiently transfected with luciferase reporter constructs under the control of promoters derived from either HMG-CoA synthase, FPP synthase, or the LDL receptor genes. The luciferase activity of each construct increased when HepG2 cells were incubated in lipid-depleted media or when the cells were cotransfected with a plasmid encoding mature sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1a. In each case, the increase in luciferase activity was attenuated by coexpression of wild-type YY1 but not by coexpression of mutant YY1 proteins that are known to be defective in either DNA binding or in modulating transcription of other known YY1-responsive genes. In contrast, incubation of cells in lipid-depleted media resulted in induction of an HMG-CoA reductase promoter-luciferase construct by a process that was unaffected by coexpression of wild-type YY1. Electromobility shift assays were used to demonstrate that the proximal promoters of the HMG-CoA synthase, FPP synthase, and the LDL receptor contain YY1 binding sites and that YY1 displaced nuclear factor Y from the promoter of the HMG-CoA synthase gene. We conclude that YY1 inhibits the transcription of specific SREBP-dependent genes and that, in the case of the HMG-CoA synthase gene, this involves displacement of nuclear factor Y from the promoter. We hypothesize that YY1 plays a regulatory role in the transcriptional regulation of specific SREBP-responsive genes.
D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000378:metabolism; D001665:Binding Sites; D022762:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D050981:Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors; D051228:Geranyltranstransferase; D006801:Humans; D006904:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D051780:Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1; D051782:Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D050986:YY1 Transcription Factor; D016335:Zinc Fingers