The Transcription Factor NMP4 Binds to the AQP5 Promoter and Is a Novel Transcriptional Regulator of the AQP5 Gene

DNA Cell Biol. 2016 Jul;35(7):322-7. doi: 10.1089/dna.2015.3110. Epub 2016 Apr 8.

Abstract

Aquaporin 5 (AQP5) is a water channel that regulates water transport, cell migration, and proliferation. Therefore, knowledge of its genetic regulation could be relevant to study these mechanisms. The AQP5 promoter region containing the AQP5-1364 A/C single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) might be an important regulatory region because the SNP is associated with the etiopathology of several diseases. The aim of this study was to identify a transcription factor that binds to this AQP5 promoter region and to investigate its potential impact upon AQP5 expression. In silico analysis revealed nuclear matrix protein 4 (NMP4) as a putative candidate. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed specific binding of NMP4 to the AQP5 promoter region of nt -1370 to nt -1329. Overexpression of NMP4 increased AQP5 promoter activity of the analyzed promoter constructs from nt -469 to nt -1979. Furthermore, an additional NMP4 binding site at position nt -592/nt -602 of the AQP5 promoter was identified. NMP4 overexpression increased AQP5 mRNA expression by 2.5-fold in HEK293 cells. Summarizing, we identified NMP4 as a novel transcriptional regulator of AQP5 expression, which binds to two AQP5 promoter regions. Both regions appear to impact AQP5 expression significantly.

MeSH terms

  • Aquaporin 5 / genetics*
  • Aquaporin 5 / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured / metabolism*
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*

Substances

  • Aquaporin 5
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Trans-Activators
  • ZNF384 protein, human