title: Activin regulates luteinizing hormone beta-subunit gene expression through Smad-binding and homeobox elements.
abstract: LH beta-subunit (LHbeta), which is essential for ovulation and reproductive fitness, is synthesized specifically in pituitary gonadotropes. In this study, we show that LHbeta gene expression is induced by activin in mouse primary pituitary cells if the cells are treated within 24 h after dispersion in culture. Furthermore, male mice deficient in Smad3, and therefore in activin signaling, have lower expression of both LHbeta and FSHbeta mRNAs compared with their wild-type littermates. Using the LbetaT2 immortalized mouse gonadotrope cell line that endogenously expresses LH, we identify specific elements in the regulatory region of the rat LHbeta gene necessary for its induction by activin. Activin responsiveness is conferred by a promoter-proximal region located -121/-86 from the transcriptional start site. Maximal LHbeta induction by activin requires a homeobox element (HB) and a 5'-early growth response (Egr) site found in this region of the promoter. Juxtaposed to the HB are three Smad-binding elements (SBEs), which are essential for LHbeta induction. Interestingly, two of the SBEs are also critical for basal expression of the LHbeta gene. We demonstrate that Smad proteins are necessary and sufficient for activin induction of the LHbeta gene. Furthermore, Smad proteins can bind one of the identified SBEs. In addition to binding this SBE, Smad proteins interact with pituitary homeobox 1 (Ptx-1) and orthodenticle homeobox 1 (Otx-1), which can bind the HB located close to the Smad-binding site. Thus, activin induction of LHbeta gene expression requires a combination of several transcription factors, both basal and activin induced, as well as cooperation between multiple DNA elements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0674, USA.
authors.forename: Djurdjica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coss
authors.forename: Varykina G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Thackray
authors.forename: Chu-Xia
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Pamela L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Mellon
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D037101:Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D051857:Otx Transcription Factors; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051900:Smad3 Protein; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D037101:Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit; D051857:Otx Transcription Factors; C497656:Otx1 protein, mouse; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051900:Smad3 Protein; C497791:Smad3 protein, mouse; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; C101485:homeobox protein PITX1; D028341:Activins; D004247:DNA