Valentina Perissi

A SUMOylation-dependent pathway mediates transrepression of inflammatory response genes by PPAR-gamma.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) has essential roles in adipogenesis and glucose homeostasis, and is a molecular target of insulin-sensitizing drugs. Although the ability of PPAR-γ agonists to antagonize inflammatory responses by transrepression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) target genes is linked to antidiabetic and antiatherogenic actions, the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we report the identification of a molecular pathway by which PPAR-γ represses the transcriptional activation of inflammatory response genes in mouse macrophages. The initial step of this pathway involves ligand-dependent SUMOylation of the PPAR-γ ligand-binding domain, which targets PPAR-γ to nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR)–histone deacetylase-3 (HDAC3) complexes on inflammatory gene promoters. This in turn prevents recruitment of the ubiquitylation/19S proteosome machinery that normally mediates the signal-dependent removal of corepressor complexes required for gene activation. As a result, NCoR complexes are not cleared from the promoter and target genes are maintained in a repressed state. This mechanism provides an explanation for how an agonist-bound nuclear receptor can be converted from an activator of transcription to a promoter-specific repressor of NF-κB target genes that regulate immunity and homeostasis.

A Topoisomerase IIß-Mediated dsDNA Break Required for Regulated Transcription

Multiple enzymatic activities are required for transcriptional initiation. The enzyme DNA topoisomerase II associates with gene promoter regions and can generate breaks in double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Therefore, it is of interest to know whether this enzyme is critical for regulated gene activation. We report that the signal-dependent activation of gene transcription by nuclear receptors and other classes of DNA binding transcription factors, including activating protein 1, requires DNA topoisomerase IIβ-dependent, transient, site-specific dsDNA break formation. Subsequent to the break, poly(adenosine diphosphate–ribose) polymerase–1 enzymatic activity is induced, which is required for a nucleosome-specific histone H1–high-mobility group B exchange event and for local changes of chromatin architecture. Our data mechanistically link DNA topoisomerase IIβ–dependent dsDNA breaks and the components of the DNA damage and repair machinery in regulated gene transcription.

A Corepressor/Coactivator Exchange Complex Required for Transcriptional Activation by Nuclear Receptors and Other Regulated Transcription Factors

The mechanisms that control the precisely regulated switch from gene repression to gene activation represent a central question in mammalian development. Here, we report that transcriptional activation mediated by liganded nuclear receptors unexpectedly requires the actions of two highly related F box/WD-40-containing factors, TBL1 and TBLR1, initially identified as components of an N-CoR corepressor complex. TBL1/TBLR1 serve as specific adaptors for the recruitment of the ubiquitin conjugating/19S proteasome complex, with TBLR1 selectively serving to mediate a required exchange of the nuclear receptor corepressors, N-CoR and SMRT, for coactivators upon ligand binding. Tbl1 gene deletion in embryonic stem cells severely impairs PPARgamma-induced adipogenic differentiation, indicating that TBL1 function is also biologically indispensable for specific nuclear receptor-mediated gene activation events. The role of TBLR1 and TBL1 in cofactor exchange appears to also operate for c-Jun and NFkappaB and is therefore likely to be prototypic of similar mechanisms for other signal-dependent transcription factors.

Controlling nuclear receptors: the circular logic of cofactor cycles

Nuclear receptors regulate many biologically important processes in development and homeostasis by their bimodal function as repressors and activators of gene transcription. A finely tuned modulation of the transcriptional activities of nuclear receptors is crucial for determining highly specific and diversified programmes of gene expression. Recent studies have provided insights into the molecular mechanisms that are required to switch between repression and activation functions, the combinatorial roles of the multiple cofactor complexes that are required for mediating transcriptional regulation, and the central question of how several different signalling pathways can be integrated at the nuclear level to achieve specific profiles of gene expression.

Deconstructing repression: evolving models of co-repressor action

A crucial aspect of development, homeostasis and prevention of disease is the strict maintenance of patterns of gene repression. Gene repression is largely achieved by the combinatorial action of various enzymatic complexes — known as co-repressor complexes — that are recruited to DNA by transcription factors and often act through enzymatic modification of histone protein tails. Our understanding of how co-repressors act has begun to change over recent years owing to the increased availability of genome-scale data. Here, we consider specific strategies that underlie repression events — for example, those mediated by the nuclear receptor co-repressor (NCoR, also known as NCOR1) and silencing mediator of retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptor (SMRT, also known as NCOR2) co-repressor complexes — and discuss emerging themes in gene repression.

AP-2 transcription factors in the regulation of ERBB2 gene transcription by oestrogen

Transcription of the ERBB2 oncogene is repressed by oestrogen in human breast cancer cells. We show that a 218 bp fragment of the human ERBB2 gene promoter is responsive to oestrogen in transient transfection in ZR75.1 and SKBR.3 cells when the oestrogen receptor is expressed. Deletion analysis of this fragment shows that a sequence located at the 5′ end, which is known to mediate ERBB2 overexpression in breast cancer, is also responsible for the oestrogen response. This sequence binds AP-2 transcription factors and appears functionally identical to an element of the oestrogen-dependent enhancer described in the first intron of human ERBB2. We observed that oestrogen treatment down-regulates expression of AP-2 proteins but does not affect the DNA binding activity of AP-2. Constitutive expression of AP-2β or AP-2γ, but not AP-2α, abrogates the estrogenic repression. Our results demonstrate that AP-2 transcription factors are implicated in the oestrogenic regulation of ERBB2 gene expression and suggest a complex interplay involving the different AP-2 isoforms and other unidentified factors.

A protective strategy against hyperinflammatory responses requiring the nontranscriptional actions of GPS2.

The association between hyperinflammatory states and numerous diseases is widely recognized, but our understanding of the molecular strategies that have evolved to prevent uncontrolled activation of inflammatory responses remains incomplete. Here, we report a critical, nontranscriptional role of GPS2 as a guardian against hyperstimulation of the TNF-α-induced gene program. GPS2 cytoplasmic actions are required to specifically modulate RIP1 ubiquitylation and JNK activation by inhibiting TRAF2/Ubc13 enzymatic activity. In vivo relevance of GPS2 anti-inflammatory role is confirmed by inhibition of TNF-α target genes in macrophages and by improved insulin signaling in the adipose tissue of aP2-GPS2 transgenic mice. As the nontranscriptional role is complemented by GPS2 functioning as positive and negative cofactor for nuclear receptors, in vivo overexpression also results in elevated circulating level of Resistin and development of hepatic steatosis. Together, these studies define GPS2 as a molecular guardian required for precise control of inflammatory responses involved in immunity and homeostasis.

GPS2/KDM4A Pioneering Activity Regulates Promoter-Specific Recruitment of PPARγ

Timely and selective recruitment of transcription factors to their appropriate DNA-binding sites represents a critical step in regulating gene activation; however, the regulatory strategies underlying each factors effective recruitment to specific promoter and/or enhancer regions are not fully understood. Here, we identify an unexpected regulatory mechanism by which promoter-specific binding, and therefore function, of peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor γ (PPARγ) in adipocytes requires G protein suppressor 2 (GPS2) to prime the local chromatin environment via inhibition of the ubiquitin ligase RNF8 and stabilization of the H3K9 histone demethylase KDM4A/JMJD2. Integration of genome-wide profiling data indicates that the pioneering activity of GPS2/KDM4A is required for PPARγ-mediated regulation of a specific transcriptional program, including the lipolytic enzymes adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). Hence, our findings reveal that GPS2 exerts a biologically important function in adipose tissue lipid mobilization by directly regulating ubiquitin signaling and indirectly modulating chromatin remodeling to prime selected genes for activation.

Mfn2 deletion in brown adipose tissue protects from insulin resistance and impairs thermogenesis

BAT‐controlled thermogenic activity is thought to be required for its capacity to prevent the development of insulin resistance. This hypothesis predicts that mediators of thermogenesis may help prevent diet‐induced insulin resistance. We report that the mitochondrial fusion protein Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) in BAT is essential for cold‐stimulated thermogenesis, but promotes insulin resistance in obese mice. Mfn2 deletion in mice through Ucp1‐cre (BAT‐Mfn2‐KO) causes BAT lipohypertrophy and cold intolerance. Surprisingly however, deletion of Mfn2 in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) results in improved insulin sensitivity and resistance to obesity, while impaired cold‐stimulated thermogenesis is maintained. Improvement in insulin sensitivity is associated with a gender‐specific remodeling of BAT mitochondrial function. In females, BAT mitochondria increase their efficiency for ATP‐synthesizing fat oxidation, whereas in BAT from males, complex I‐driven respiration is decreased and glycolytic capacity is increased. Thus, BAT adaptation to obesity is regulated by Mfn2 and with BAT‐Mfn2 absent, BAT contribution to prevention of insulin resistance is independent and inversely correlated to whole‐body cold‐stimulated thermogenesis.

Exchange Factor TBL1 and Arginine Methyltransferase PRMT6 Cooperate in Protecting G Protein Pathway Suppressor 2 (GPS2) from Proteasomal Degradation

Background: GPS2 is a multifunctional protein controlling cellular homeostasis, inflammation, and lipid metabolism. Results: Arginine methylation modulates GPS2 interaction with TBL1 and prevents its degradation upon Siah2 ubiquitination. Conclusion: A tightly regulated balance between stabilization and degradation determines GPS2 levels. Significance: Understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling GPS2 expression and localization is critical for dissecting its multiple roles in the cell. G protein pathway suppressor 2 (GPS2) is a multifunctional protein involved in the regulation of a number of metabolic organs. First identified as part of the NCoR-SMRT corepressor complex, GPS2 is known to play an important role in the nucleus in the regulation of gene transcription and meiotic recombination. In addition, we recently reported a non-transcriptional role of GPS2 as an inhibitor of the proinflammatory TNFα pathway in the cytosol. Although this suggests that the control of GPS2 localization may be an important determinant of its molecular functions, a clear understanding of GPS2 differential targeting to specific cellular locations is still lacking. Here we show that a fine balance between protein stabilization and degradation tightly regulates GPS2 nuclear function. Our findings indicate that GPS2 is degraded upon polyubiquitination by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Siah2. Unexpectedly, interaction with the exchange factor TBL1 is required to protect GPS2 from degradation, with methylation of GPS2 by arginine methyltransferase PRMT6 regulating the interaction with TBL1 and inhibiting proteasome-dependent degradation. Overall, our findings indicate that regulation of GPS2 by posttranslational modifications provides an effective strategy for modulating its molecular function within the nuclear compartment.