The CAG repeat in SCA12 functions as a cis element to up-regulate PPP2R2B expression.
PPP2R2B, a protein widely expressed in neurons, regulates the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity for dephosphorylation of tau and other substrates. CAG repeat expansion at the 5'-end of the PPP2R2B gene causes autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia type 12. In the present study, we investigated the roles of CAG repeats and flanking cis elements and the associated proteins in controlling PPP2R2B expression. Deletion/site-directed mutagenesis, in silico searches and cDNA overexpression revealed that CREB1 and SP1 bind to the conserved sequence upstream the CAG repeats to up-regulate PPP2R2B expression, whereas TFAP4 binds to the conserved sequence downstream the CAG repeats to down-regulate PPP2R2B expression. The binding of CREB1, SP1, and TFAP4 to the PPP2R2B promoter was further confirmed by DNA pull-down and ChIP-PCR assays. CAG repeats itself also function as a cis element to up-regulate PPP2R2B expression as AT repeat length has no effect on PPP2R2B expression. Together, our data provide evidence that CREB1, SP1, and TFAP4 play roles in modulating PPP2R2B expression, thus offering a mechanism of regulating PP2A activity as the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with abnormal PP2A activity.
Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, 88 Ting-Chou Road, Section 4, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan.
Chih-Hsin
CH
Lin
Chiung-Mei
CM
Chen
Yi-Ting
YT
Hou
Yih-Ru
YR
Wu
Hsiu-Mei
HM
Hsieh-Li
Ming-Tsan
MT
Su
Guey-Jen
GJ
Lee-Chen
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006801:Humans; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D015854:Up-Regulation
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C055473:enhancer-binding protein AP-4