SP1 and RARα regulate AGAP2 expression in cancer

Sci Rep. 2019 Jan 23;9(1):390. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-36888-x.

Abstract

AGAP2 (Arf GAP with GTP-binding protein-like domain, Ankyrin repeat and PH domain 2) isoform 2 is considered a proto-oncogene, but not much is known about AGAP2 gene expression regulation. To get some insight into this process, AGAP2 proximal promoter was cloned and characterised using reporter assays. We have identified SP1 as a transcription factor bound to AGAP2 promoter and required for AGAP2 expression in two different types of cancer cells (KU812, a chronic myeloid leukaemia cell line; and DU145, a prostate cancer cell line): silencing SP1 decreased AGAP2 protein levels. We have also found that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment increased AGAP2 protein levels in both cell lines whilst curcumin treatment reduced ATRA-mediated AGAP2 increase. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation studies revealed the presence of RARα, RXRα and the lysine acetyl transferase PCAF in AGAP2 promoter. Our results provide a novel understanding of AGAP2 expression regulation that could be beneficial to those patients with cancers where AGAP2 is overexpressed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / genetics
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / metabolism*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / pathology
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha / genetics
  • Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha / metabolism*
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor / metabolism*

Substances

  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • RARA protein, human
  • Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor
  • AGAP2 protein, human
  • GTP-Binding Proteins