Expression of Reg family proteins in embryonic stem cells and its modulation by Wnt/beta-catenin signaling.
Regenerating islet (Reg) proteins are involved in the proliferation and differentiation of diverse cell types. However, whether embryonic stem cells (ESCs) express Reg genes and their corresponding proteins remains unknown. In this study, we probed the expression of Reg family members by mouse ESCs (mESCs). Mouse Reg1 and Reg3gamma were detected in undifferentiated stem cells. Furthermore, we tested if gastrin--an inducer of Reg1 expression in committed cells--up-regulates the Reg1 gene in mESCs. Gastrin did not affect the expression of Reg1 either in self-renewing mESCs or under conditions permitting their differentiation. Moreover, overexpression of Reg genes found in various forms of cancer has been linked to dysregulated activation of the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin cascade. Given the important roles of Wnt signaling in stem cells, we investigated if activation of Wnt alters the expression of Reg genes in mESCs. Wnt activation led to an increase in Reg1 gene expression with a concomitant increase in the amount of secreted Reg1 protein. Finally, the expression pattern of genes indicative of differentiation was examined in mESCs that were either exposed to soluble Reg1 or overexpressed the Reg1 gene. This is the first account of expression of Reg family members by ESCs. Our results show that the canonical Wnt cascade affects Reg expression and warrants further studies into the potential roles of Reg proteins in stem cell physiology.
Jing
Donghui
D
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA.
Kehoe
Daniel E
DE
Tzanakakis
Emmanuel S
ES
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D005755:Gastrins / Q000494:pharmacology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D051847:Lithostathine / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000073718:Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D005755:Gastrins; D051847:Lithostathine; D000073718:Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins; D011506:Proteins; C497615:Reg1 protein, mouse; C490255:Reg3g protein, mouse; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin