Cathepsin E: a novel target for regulation by class II transactivator

J Immunol. 2004 May 1;172(9):5528-34. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.172.9.5528.

Abstract

The aspartic proteinase cathepsin E (CatE) has been implicated in Ag processing. In this study we report that CatE expression is negatively regulated by the MHC class II transactivator (CIITA). CIITA-deficient murine and human B cells expressed greater CatE than wild-type B cells, whereas overexpression of CIITA in a human gastric carcinoma cell line, AGS, resulted in decreased CatE mRNA and protein. AGS cells expressing CIITA also exhibited decreased processing of OVA Ag. Inhibition of CatE expression is specific to the type III CIITA isoform and maps to the acidic and proline/serine/threonine-rich (PST) protein domains of CIITA. We found that CatE expression is inducible by PU.1 and p300, and that this induction can be reversed by CIITA. These findings demonstrate a novel phenomenon: regulation of CatE Ag processing by CIITA in an isoform-dependent manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation / genetics
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology
  • Cathepsin E / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cathepsin E / biosynthesis*
  • Cathepsin E / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • E1A-Associated p300 Protein
  • Enzyme Precursors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Enzyme Precursors / genetics
  • Enzyme Repression
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nuclear Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nuclear Proteins / deficiency
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / pharmacology
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology*
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Ovalbumin / metabolism
  • Peptide Fragments / physiology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / pharmacology
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Trans-Activators / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Trans-Activators / deficiency
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / pharmacology
  • Trans-Activators / physiology*
  • Transfection
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • Enzyme Precursors
  • Isoenzymes
  • MHC class II transactivator protein
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Trans-Activators
  • proto-oncogene protein Spi-1
  • Ovalbumin
  • E1A-Associated p300 Protein
  • Ep300 protein, mouse
  • Cathepsin E