The Kruppel-like transcriptional factors Zf9 and GKLF coactivate the human keratin 4 promoter and physically interact

Jun Ichi Okano, Oliver G. Opitz, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Timothy D. Jenkins, Scott L. Friedman, Anil K. Rustgi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

Zf9/CPBP/KLF6 is a widely expressed member of the Kruppel-like family of transcriptional factors which regulates gene expression in hepatic stellate cells. Because of its ubiquitous expression including in the esophagus, we have explored its function in the esophageal squamous epithelium, a model system to study cellular proliferation and differentiation. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot analyses revealed that Zf9 was highly expressed in human esophageal squamous cancer cell lines. Additionally, Zf9 localizes to the esophageal squamous epithelium by immunohistochemistry. Using transient transfection, Zf9 transactivates the human keratin 4 (K4) promoter reporter gene construct in a subset of the esophageal cancer cell lines through indirect mechanisms. Co-transfection of Zf9 and GKLF/KLF4, which is also a member of the Kruppel-like factors and expressed in the esophageal squamous epithelium, leads to coactivation in an additive fashion. Furthermore, we demonstrate that there is a physical interaction between GKLF and Zf9, a novel finding for Kruppel-like family members. Copyright (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)95-100
Number of pages6
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume473
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 4 May 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Gut-enriched Kruppel-like factor (GKLF/KLF4)
  • Keratin 4 promoter
  • Zf9/KLF6

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