[Experimental study on transcription regulation of mouse hepcidin gene by NF-kB].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the involvement of NF-kappaB (NF-kB) regulation of hepcidin gene transcription in acute phase response and its molecular mechanism.


METHODS
First, a mouse model of acute phase response was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The relationship between hepcidin expression and dose or time of LPS injection was assessed. Then, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was performed to explore the possibility of the involvement of NF-kB in regulation of hepcidin gene transcription. Next, pAVU6+27-NF-kB, NF-kB p65-specific siRNA expression vector was constructed and transfected into mouse primary hepatocytes using DOTAP liposomal transfection reagents. Hepcidin expression changes after silencing of NF-kB p65 and hepcidin expression after LPS induction were tested.


RESULTS
Hepcidin expression showed a time and dose-dependent manner with regard to LPS injection. At 10 h after 50 microg LPS injection, hepcidin expression reached its peak. The result of EMSA exhibited an evident lag band at -53 - -64 bp, indicating regulation of hepcidin gene expression by NF-kB. After mouse primary hepatocytes were transiently transfected with NF-kB p65-specific siRNAs, Western blot showed that inhibition rate of NF-kB expression was 50%-67%. Hepcidin expression of transfected hepatocytes dropped down obviously in comparison with that of untransfected hepatocytes, and could not be induced by LPS.


CONCLUSIONS
Transcription factor NF-kB is likely to be an important molecule in transcription regulation of hepcidin gene. As a key component, p65 subunit binds to hepcidin gene at -53 - -64 bp, and upregulates hepcidin expression.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China. liaorongxia@mail.tmmu.com.cn
Rong-xia
RX
Liao
Jian-guo
JG
Sun
Xiao-lin
XL
Zhong
Jian-xin
JX
Zhou
Yuan-zhong
YZ
Wang
D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D064451:Hepcidins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D051379:Mice; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics*; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; C579599:Hamp protein, mouse; D064451:Hepcidins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016328:NF-kappa B; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering