Direct inhibition of TNF-α promoter activity by Fanconi anemia protein FANCD2

PLoS One. 2011;6(8):e23324. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023324. Epub 2011 Aug 31.

Abstract

Fanconi anemia (FA), an inherited disease, is associated with progressive bone marrow failure, predisposition to cancer, and genomic instability. Genes corresponding to 15 identified FA complementation groups have been cloned, and each gene product functions in the response to DNA damage induced by cross-linking agents and/or in protection against genome instability. Interestingly, overproduction of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and aberrant activation of NF-κB-dependent transcriptional activity have been observed in FA cells. Here we demonstrated that FANCD2 protein inhibits NF-κB activity in its monoubiquitination-dependent manner. Furthermore, we detected a specific association between FANCD2 and an NF-κB consensus element in the TNF-α promoter by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Therefore, we propose FANCD2 deficiency promotes transcriptional activity of the TNF-α promoter and induces overproduction of TNF-which then sustains prolonged inflammatory responses. These results also suggest that artificial modulation of TNFα production could be a promising therapeutic approach to FA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Consensus Sequence
  • Fanconi Anemia / genetics
  • Fanconi Anemia / metabolism
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein / deficiency
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology

Substances

  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein
  • NF-kappa B
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha