JNK-ATF-2 inhibits thrombomodulin (TM) expression by recruiting histone deacetylase4 (HDAC4) and forming a transcriptional repression complex in the TM promoter.
Thrombomodulin (TM) is an important vascular protective molecule that has anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. TM is downregulated in many thrombotic and vascular diseases. However, the mechanisms responsible for TM suppression are not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanism involved in fatty acid-induced suppression of TM expression in human aortic endothelial cells. We found that palmitic acid inhibited TM expression through the JNK and p38 pathways. ATF-2, a JNK and p38 target transcription factor, was involved in the suppression. ATF-2 can bind to the TM promoter, recruit HDAC4 and form a transcriptional repression complex in the promoter, which may lead to chromatin condensation and transcriptional arrest. This study provides novel insight into TM down-regulation by stress signaling pathways.
Rong
Yuanyuan
Y
The key laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Zhang
Mei
M
Zhang
Lin
L
Wang
Xing Li
XL
Shen
Ying H
YH
D051698:Activating Transcription Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D047369:Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D019308:Palmitic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011485:Protein Binding; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018180:Thrombomodulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D051698:Activating Transcription Factor 2; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D018180:Thrombomodulin; D019308:Palmitic Acid; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C400300:HDAC4 protein, human; D006655:Histone Deacetylases