Transcriptional factor c-Jun regulates Mepe gene expression in osteoblasts / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To study the relationship between transcriptional factor c-Jun and Mepe gene expression, and to identify the specific binding site of c-Jun on the promoter of Mepe.METHODS:The expression of c-Jun and Mepe in mouse bone tissue was detected by immunolocalization assay.The mRNA expression of Mepe was determined by real-time PCR when the expression of c-Jun was changed.The techniques of dual luciferase analysis and site-specific mutagenesis were used to measure the effects of c-Jun on the transcriptional activity of Mepe.RESULTS:c-Jun was detected in the nu-cleus of osteocytes, while Mepe was observed in osteocyte cytoplasm.The results of real-time PCR showed that overexpres-sion of c-Jun directly resulted in significantly higher up-regulation of Mepe mRNA.Compared with control group, the tran-scriptional activity of Mepe promoter was increased in osteoblasts which was transfected with pCMV-3Tag-1-c-Jun.Mutation of c-Jun potential binding sites decreased the transcriptional activity of Mepe promoter.CONCLUSION:Mepe gene tran-scription can be up-regulated by c-Jun which binds to the specific sites of Mepe promoter in osteoblasts.