An essential role in liver development for transcription factor XBP-1

Genes Dev. 2000 Jan 15;14(2):152-7.

Abstract

XBP-1 is a CREB/ATF family transcription factor highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinomas. Here we report that XBP-1 is essential for liver growth. Mice lacking XBP-1 displayed hypoplastic fetal livers, whose reduced hematopoiesis resulted in death from anemia. Nevertheless, XBP-1-deficient hematopoietic progenitors had no cell-autonomous defect in differentiation. Rather, hepatocyte development itself was severely impaired by two measures: diminished growth rate and prominent apoptosis. Specific target genes of XBP-1 in the liver were identified as alphaFP, which may be a regulator of hepatocyte growth, and three acute phase protein family members. Therefore, XBP-1 is a transcription factor essential for hepatocyte growth.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Embryonic and Fetal Development / genetics
  • Gene Targeting
  • Genes, Lethal / genetics
  • Hepatectomy
  • Liver / abnormalities
  • Liver / embryology*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors
  • Stem Cells
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • X-Box Binding Protein 1

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • X-Box Binding Protein 1
  • Xbp1 protein, mouse