Joël Baguet

Overexpression of Transcription Factor Sp1 Leads to Gene Expression Perturbations and Cell Cycle Inhibition

Background The ubiquitous transcription factor Sp1 regulates the expression of a vast number of genes involved in many cellular functions ranging from differentiation to proliferation and apoptosis. Sp1 expression levels show a dramatic increase during transformation and this could play a critical role for tumour development or maintenance. Although Sp1 deregulation might be beneficial for tumour cells, its overexpression induces apoptosis of untransformed cells. Here we further characterised the functional and transcriptional responses of untransformed cells following Sp1 overexpression. Methodology and Principal Findings We made use of wild-type and DNA-binding-deficient Sp1 to demonstrate that the induction of apoptosis by Sp1 is dependent on its capacity to bind DNA. Genome-wide expression profiling identified genes involved in cancer, cell death and cell cycle as being enriched among differentially expressed genes following Sp1 overexpression. In silico search to determine the presence of Sp1 binding sites in the promoter region of modulated genes was conducted. Genes that contained Sp1 binding sites in their promoters were enriched among down-regulated genes. The endogenous sp1 gene is one of the most down-regulated suggesting a negative feedback loop induced by overexpressed Sp1. In contrast, genes containing Sp1 binding sites in their promoters were not enriched among up-regulated genes. These results suggest that the transcriptional response involves both direct Sp1-driven transcription and indirect mechanisms. Finally, we show that Sp1 overexpression led to a modified expression of G1/S transition regulatory genes such as the down-regulation of cyclin D2 and the up-regulation of cyclin G2 and cdkn2c/p18 expression. The biological significance of these modifications was confirmed by showing that the cells accumulated in the G1 phase of the cell cycle before the onset of apoptosis. Conclusion This study shows that the binding to DNA of overexpressed Sp1 induces an inhibition of cell cycle progression that precedes apoptosis and a transcriptional response targeting genes containing Sp1 binding sites in their promoter or not suggesting both direct Sp1-driven transcription and indirect mechanisms.

Transcription factor ATF2 cooperates with v-Jun to promote growth factor-independent proliferation in vitro and tumor formation in vivo.

ABSTRACT ATF2 belongs to the bZIP family of transcription factors and controls gene expression via 8-bp ATF/CREB motifs either as a homodimer or as a heterodimer—for instance, with Jun—but has never been shown to be directly involved in oncogenesis. Experiments were designed to evaluate a possible role of ATF2 in oncogenesis in chick embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) in the presence or absence of v-Jun. We found that (i) forced expression of ATF2 cannot alone cause transformation, (ii) overexpression of ATF2 plus v-Jun specifically stimulates v-Jun-induced growth in medium with a reduced amount of serum, and (iii) the efficiency of low-serum growth correlates with the activity of a Jun-ATF2-dependent model promoter in stably transformed CEFs. Analysis of ATF2 and Jun dimerization mutants showed that the growth-stimulatory effect of ATF2 is likely to be mediated by v-Jun–ATF2 heterodimers since (i) v-Jun-m1, a mutant with enhanced affinity for ATF2, induces growth in low-serum medium much more efficiently than v-Jun, when expressed alone or in combination with ATF2; and (ii) ATF2/fos, a mutant that efficiently binds to v-Jun but is unable to form stable homodimers, shows enhanced oncogenic cooperation with v-Jun. In addition, we examined the role of ATF2 in tumor formation by subcutaneous injection of CEFs into chickens. In contrast to v-Jun, v-Jun-m1 gave rise to numerous fibrosarcomas while coexpression of ATF2 and v-Jun-m1 led to a dramatic development of fibrosarcomas visible within 1 week. Together these data demonstrate that overexpressed ATF2 potentiates the ability of v-Jun-transformed CEFs to grow in low-serum medium in vitro and contributes to the formation of tumors in vivo.

In vitro study of the inhibition of coagulation induced by different radiocontrast molecules

The anticoagulant activity of seven intravascular radiocontrast molecules (RCM) was evaluated in different in vitro systems using citrated human plasma. Each RCM was tested in a concentration range of 5 to 50 mM. The thrombin time and the reptilase time showed a dose-dependent lengthening of fibrinoformation, the recording of fibrinoformation exhibited a significant delay of fibrin monomer generation and polymerization although the amplitude of the fibrinoformation was not decreased. The interfering effect with fibrin clot formation impairs also global coagulation tests and monospecific coagulation tests using fibrinoformation as the final step of the assay, but a possible interaction between RCM and some specific coagulation factors cannot be excluded. RCM potentiated the anti-thrombin action of heparin but the inhibition or delay of fibrinoformation is not related to an antithrombinic effect of contrast media. The thrombin amidolytic activity is not modified by RCM but the generation of FpA is delayed and decreased. The ultrastructure of the fibrin clot is not altered at the end of the polymerization.

Haemostasis, blood coagulation and fibrinolysis in the japanese quail

Abstract 1. 1. As compared with mammals, birds have been reported as deficient in several coagulation factors, though an efficient haemostasis with a bleeding time of less than 60 sec was observed in the Japanese quail. 2. 2. Using homologous reagents, i.e. thromboplastins and partial thromboplastins, the presence of Factors VIII, IX, VII, X and V is demonstrated. 3. 3. The absence of contact phase is confirmed. 4. 4. It is suggested that in the quail, extrinsic and common pathway are qualitatively and quantitatively similar to mammals and factors involved in the alternate mechanisms of generation of Factor Xa in human, i.e. tissular factor, and Factors VII, VIII and IX may also be effective in birds. 5. 5. In addition, Japanese quail thrombocytes form frequently spontaneous aggregates and respond to serotonin, arachidonic acid, collagen and exclusively homologous thrombin. 6. 6. They are devoid of an ADP-dependent aggregation pathway.

Heparinization of Medical Grade Polyurethanes

Polyurethanes (PUs) represent a heterogenous family of artificial P materials that can be synthesized ranging from soft rubbery materials to rigid rough polymers. They are described as &dquo;biomedical grade&dquo; if they are &dquo;systemic pharmacologically inert substances designed for implantation within living systems&dquo; [1]. The most common PUs used as biomaterials are polyetherurethanes (PEU) which consist of chains of aromatic or aliphatic &dquo;hard&dquo; segments connected by flexible polyether &dquo;soft&dquo; segments (Figure 1). The hard and soft segments of PUs separate into phases and the bulk material consists of domains of hard segments suspended in soft segment matrix, which give the PUs their unique combination of flexibility and strength. PUs exhibit several properties that make them particularly attractive for biomedical applications [2] (Table 1).

Thromboresistance of bulk heparinized catheters in human

Bulk heparinized catheters (1 mm internal diameter) containing 10% heparin ionically bound, were tested in four human volunteers. Catheters containing 0% and 10% heparin were compared in each individual using ultrasound microflow velocimetry, permeability test, sequential determinations of activated partial thromboplastin time, heparin levels and generation of Fibrinopeptide A, beta thromboglobulin and Platelet factor 4. Although the release of heparin expressed by its anti-IIa activity is of similar range in the four individuals the release of anti-Xa activity is variable and generally of greater magnitude, suggesting a privileged migration of low molecular weight components of heparin. These antiproteasic activities of heparin are sufficient to inhibit fibrin formation and blood coagulation despite their relative inability to prevent platelet activation.