title: STAT3 controls matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in colon carcinoma cells by both direct and AP-1-mediated interaction with the MMP-1 promoter.
abstract: Aberrant activation of STAT3 in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) tissue is correlated with elevated expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). We analyzed transcriptional regulation of the human MMP-1 promoter in CRC cells by tyrosine phosphorylated (pY-) STAT3. One of six putative STAT binding elements within a 4.3 kb MMP-1 trancriptional promoter fragment showed a particular high affinity for STAT3 in vitro. However, the most profound regulatory influence on MMP-1 promoter activity resides in a proximal region relative to the transcriptional start, bearing a pair of putative binding sites for STAT3 and AP-1. Mutational analysis of the combined STAT3/AP-1 recognition element revealed that the integrity of the STAT3 binding site is necessary, but not sufficient for both DNA interaction and transcriptional regulation by activated STAT3. Instead, the adjacent AP-1 site was essential for pY-STAT3-mediated transcription on the MMP-1 promoter. DNA-protein binding assays provided strong evidence for complex formation of STAT3 and c-Jun governed by protein-protein contacts. We observed striking coincidence for concerted aberrant activation of both STAT3 and AP-1 in human colon cancer specimens. This finding supports the notion that the combination of inappropriate STAT3 and AP-1 activities drives elevated MMP-1 expression and tissue invasion in colorectal cancer and is of clinical relevance.
authors.affiliation: Friedrich Schiller University Jena University Hospital, Institute of Biochemistry II, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zugowski
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lieder
authors.forename: Annekatrin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gasch
authors.forename: Florian M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Corvinus
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moriggl
authors.forename: Karlheinz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friedrich
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1