FAK induces expression of Prx1 to promote tenascin-C-dependent fibroblast migration.
Fibroblast migration depends, in part, on activation of FAK and cellular interactions with tenascin-C (TN-C). Consistent with the idea that FAK regulates TN-C, migration-defective FAK-null cells expressed reduced levels of TN-C. Furthermore, expression of FAK in FAK-null fibroblasts induced TN-C, whereas inhibition of FAK activity in FAK-wild-type cells had the opposite effect. Paired-related homeobox 1 (Prx1) encodes a homeobox transcription factor that induces TN-C by interacting with a binding site within the TN-C promoter, and it also promotes fibroblast migration. Therefore, we hypothesized that FAK regulates TN-C by controlling the DNA-binding activity of Prx1 and/or by inducing Prx1 expression. Prx1-homeodomain binding site complex formation observed with FAK-wild-type fibroblasts failed to occur in FAK-null fibroblasts, yet expression of Prx1 in these cells induced TN-C promoter activity. Thus, FAK is not essential for Prx1 DNA-binding activity. However, activated FAK was essential for Prx1 expression. Functionally, Prx1 expression in FAK-null fibroblasts restored their ability to migrate toward fibronectin, in a manner that depends on TN-C. These results appear to be relevant in vivo because Prx1 and TN-C expression levels were reduced in FAK-null embryos. This paper suggests a model whereby FAK induces Prx1, and subsequently the formation of a TN-C-enriched ECM that contributes to fibroblast migration.
McKean
David M
DM
Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
Sisbarro
Lila
L
Ilic
Dusko
D
Kaplan-Alburquerque
Nihal
N
Nemenoff
Raphael
R
Weiser-Evans
Mary
M
Kern
Michael J
MJ
Jones
Peter Lloyd
PL
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008954:Models, Biological; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019063:Tenascin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D019063:Tenascin; C410041:PRX1 protein, S cerevisiae; D010544:Peroxidases; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; C496051:Ptk2 protein, mouse