Expression of the α4 integrin subunit gene promoter is modulated by the transcription factor Pax-6 in corneal epithelial cells

Karine Zaniolo, Steeve Leclerc, Ales Cvekl, Luc Vallières, Richard Bazin, Kathy Larouche, Sylvain L. Guérin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE. Expression of several membrane-bound integrins is thought to be altered during corneal wound healing as a consequence of the massive secretion of fibronectin occurring during this process. Examination of the α4 integrin subunit gene promoter revealed the presence of three putative binding sites for the transcription factor Pax-6 expressed in the basal cells of the corneal epithelium during corneal wound healing. This study was undertaken to investigate whether the α4 integrin subunit is expressed in primary cultures of rabbit corneal epithelial cells (RCECs) and to test whether Pax-6 binds the α4 gene promoter and regulates its transcriptional activity. METHODS. Both flow cytometry and immunocytochemical analyses, along with an antibody-directed receptor interference assay, were used to examine expression of the α4 subunit in RCECs. Expression of Pax6 was investigated by immunoblot analysis. Binding of PAX6 to the α4 gene promoter was tested in electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs). The regulatory influence exerted by Pax6 on the α4 promoter was studied by transfections in RCECs. RESULTS. Expression of α4 was detected at both the mRNA and protein levels. Pax-6 was expressed in a cell-density-dependent manner in RCECs and altered the activity of the α4 promoter by interacting with multiple sites in both the promoter and 5′-flanking sequences. Pax-6 was also identified as the major protein component from the Bp5 complex, one of five protein complexes reported to bind the α4.1 element from the α4 basal promoter in vitro. CONCLUSIONS. These results provide evidence that the integrin subunit α4 and Pax-6 are coexpressed in RCECs and raise the possibility that Pax-6 directly regulates the expression of the α4 gene during comeal wound healing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1692-1704
Number of pages13
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume45
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Expression of the α4 integrin subunit gene promoter is modulated by the transcription factor Pax-6 in corneal epithelial cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this