Transcriptional regulation of human MAP2 gene in melanoma: Role of neuronal bHLH factors and Notch1 signaling

Kumar M.R. Bhat, Nityanand Maddodi, Cooduvalli Shashikant, Vijayasaradhi Setaluri

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), a neuron-specific protein, stabilizes microtubules and is critical for neurite outgrowth and dendrite development. Although MAP2 is widely used as a marker of neuronal differentiation, regulation of its transcription has not been investigated. We showed that MAP2 is frequently activated in human cutaneous melanoma. Here, we identified a 2.2 kb region that is sufficient for neuronal-specific expression in vitro and in vivo. Comparative analysis of the mouse, rat and human MAP2 promoter sequences showed the presence of a conserved bHLH factor binding sites. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis, promoter mutagenesis and co-transfection experiments showed that NeuroD, a pro-neuronal differentiation factor, and Hairy and Enhancer of Split (HES1), a transcription repressor, are involved in the regulation of MAP2 promoter activity. Melanoma cells express both NeuroD and HES1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that in metastatic melanoma cells N-box region of the MAP2 promoter is occupied by endogenous HES1. We show that the inhibition of Notch signaling, a regulator of HES1 gene expression, and/or shRNA knockdown of HES1 results in the upregulation of MAP2 promoter activity. Thus, our data suggest that Notch signaling, which is implicated in melanoma progression, and HES1 play a role in MAP2 gene regulation during melanoma progression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3819-3832
Number of pages14
JournalNucleic acids research
Volume34
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Genetics

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