ZNF354C is a transcriptional repressor that inhibits endothelial angiogenic sprouting

Sci Rep. 2020 Nov 5;10(1):19079. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-76193-0.

Abstract

Zinc finger proteins (ZNF) are a large group of transcription factors with diverse functions. We recently discovered that endothelial cells harbour a specific mechanism to limit the action of ZNF354C, whose function in endothelial cells is unknown. Given that ZNF354C has so far only been studied in bone and tumour, its function was determined in endothelial cells. ZNF354C is expressed in vascular cells and localises to the nucleus and cytoplasm. Overexpression of ZNF354C in human endothelial cells results in a marked inhibition of endothelial sprouting. RNA-sequencing of human microvascular endothelial cells with and without overexpression of ZNF354C revealed that the protein is a potent transcriptional repressor. ZNF354C contains an active KRAB domain which mediates this suppression as shown by mutagenesis analysis. ZNF354C interacts with dsDNA, TRIM28 and histones, as observed by proximity ligation and immunoprecipitation. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that the ZNF binds to specific endothelial-relevant target-gene promoters. ZNF354C suppresses these genes as shown by CRISPR/Cas knockout and RNAi. Inhibition of endothelial sprouting by ZNF354C is dependent on the amino acids DV and MLE of the KRAB domain. These results demonstrate that ZNF354C is a repressive transcription factor which acts through a KRAB domain to inhibit endothelial angiogenic sprouting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / cytology
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic* / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 28 / metabolism
  • Zinc Fingers / genetics

Substances

  • Histones
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Repressor Proteins
  • ZNF354C protein, human
  • TRIM28 protein, human
  • Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 28