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Title: Identification of cathepsin B as a novel target of hypoxia-inducible factor-1-alpha in HepG2 cells

Journal Article · · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [1];  [4];  [3]
  1. Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003 (China)
  2. Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou (China)
  3. Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou (China)
  4. Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou (China)

Highlights: • Cathepsin B (CTSB) is a novel target gene of hypoxia-inducible factor-1-alpha (HIF-1α). • CTSB mRNA and protein levels can be up-regulated in a HIF-1α-dependent manner. • CTSB promoter activity can be elevated by the HIF-1α protein. • HIF-1α protein binds the CTSB promoter directly. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1-alpha (HIF-1α) activates the transcription of many genes that code for proteins involved in angiogenesis, glucose metabolism, cell proliferation/survival, and invasion/metastasis. However, the mechanisms between HIF-1 and its downstream target genes are still poorly understood. Our experimental results had shown that nuclear HIF-1α proteins were significantly induced after HepG2 cells treatment with 1% O{sub 2} for 6 h and reached the peak expression level in 24 h. Meanwhile, the results of RT-qPCR and Western-blotting showed that HIF-1α and cathepsin B (CTSB) expressions increased with a similar pattern in response to hypoxia in the HepG2 cells. Additionally, based on bioinformatics analysis, we identified a hypoxia response element in the CTSB promoter, indicating a possible association between HIF-1α and CTSB. Moreover, luciferase assay was performed to reflect the transcriptional activity mediated through the HIF-1α binding HRE within the CTSB promoter. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) revealed a specific HIF-1α binding activity to the CTSB gene promoter. For the first time, we demonstrated that CTSB is a new HIF-1α-target gene. We believe these findings will contribute to the research and development of neoplasm-targeted therapies.

OSTI ID:
23105634
Journal Information:
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol. 503, Issue 2; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0006-291X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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