ChIP-on-chip analysis reveals angiopoietin 2 (Ang2, ANGPT2) as a novel target of steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1, NR5A1) in the human adrenal gland

FASEB J. 2011 Apr;25(4):1166-75. doi: 10.1096/fj.10-170522. Epub 2010 Dec 16.

Abstract

The nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1, NR5A1) is a key regulator of adrenal and gonadal biology. Disruption of SF-1 can lead to disorders of adrenal development, while increased SF-1 dosage has been associated with adrenocortical tumorigenesis. We aimed to identify a novel subset of SF-1 target genes in the adrenal by using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) microarrays (ChIP-on-chip) combined with systems analysis. SF-1 ChIP-on-chip was performed in NCI-H295R human adrenocortical cells using promoter tiling arrays, leading to the identification of 445 gene loci where SF-1-binding regions were located from 10 kb upstream to 3 kb downstream of a transcriptional start. Network analysis of genes identified as putative SF-1 targets revealed enrichment for angiogenic process networks. A 1.1-kb SF-1-binding region was identified in the angiopoietin 2 (Ang2, ANGPT2) promoter in a highly repetitive region, and SF-1-dependent activation was confirmed in luciferase assays. Angiogenesis is paramount in adrenal development and tumorigenesis, but until now a direct link between SF-1 and vascular remodeling has not been established. We have identified Ang2 as a potentially important novel target of SF-1 in the adrenal gland, indicating that regulation of angiogenesis might be an important additional mechanism by which SF-1 exerts its actions in the adrenal gland.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms
  • Adrenal Glands / embryology
  • Adrenal Glands / metabolism*
  • Angiopoietin-2 / genetics*
  • Binding Sites / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Humans
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1 / physiology*
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiopoietin-2
  • CITED2 protein, human
  • NR5A1 protein, human
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1
  • Trans-Activators

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE26144