Distinct isoforms of Nrf1 diversely regulate different subsets of its cognate target genes

Sci Rep. 2019 Feb 27;9(1):2960. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-39536-0.

Abstract

The single Nrf1 gene has capability to be differentially transcripted alongside with alternative mRNA-splicing and subsequent translation through different initiation signals so as to yield distinct lengths of polypeptide isoforms. Amongst them, three of the most representatives are Nrf1α, Nrf1β and Nrf1γ, but the putative specific contribution of each isoform to regulating ARE-driven target genes remains unknown. To address this, we have herein established three cell lines on the base of the Flp-In T-REx system, which are allowed for the tetracycline-inducibly stable expression of Nrf1α, Nrf1β and Nrf1γ. Consequently, the RNA-Sequencing results have demonstrated that a vast majority of differentially expressed genes (i.e. >90% DEGs detected) were dominantly up-regulated by Nrf1α and/or Nrf1β following induction by tetracycline. By contrast, the other DEGs regulated by Nrf1γ were far less than those regulated by Nrf1α/β (i.e. ~11% of Nrf1α and ~7% of Nrf1β). However, further transcriptomic analysis revealed that the tetracycline-induced expression of Nrf1γ significantly increased the percentage of down-regulated genes in total DEGs. These statistical data were further validated by quantitative real-time PCR. The experimental results indicate that distinct Nrf1 isoforms make diverse and even opposing contributions to regulating different subsets of target genes, such as those encoding 26S proteasomal subunits and others involved in various biological processes and functions. Collectively, Nrf1γ acts as a major dominant-negative inhibitor competitively against Nrf1α/β activity, such that a number of DEGs regulated by Nrf1α/β are counteracted by Nrf1γ.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Humans
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 1 / genetics*
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 1 / metabolism*
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 1 / physiology*
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA / methods
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • NF-E2-Related Factor 1
  • NFE2L1 protein, human
  • Protein Isoforms