%0 Journal Article
%T Nkx6.2 synergizes with Cdx-2 in stimulating proglucagon gene expression
%A Pei-Xiang Wang
%A Zhi-Wen Yu
%A Steven Wong
%A Tian-Ru Jin
%J World Journal of Diabetes
%D 2011
%I Baishideng Publishing Group Co. Limited
%R 10.4239/wjd.v2.i5.66
%X AIM: To investigate whether the transactivator of the proglucagon gene (Gcg), Cdx-2, synergizes with other transcription factors in stimulating Gcg expression and the trans-differentiation of Gcg-expressing cells. METHODS: We conducted affinity chromatography to identify proteins that interact with Cdx-2, using GST-tagged Cdx-2 against cell lysates from pancreatic InR1-G9 and intestinal GLUTag cell lines. This was followed by a mass-spectrometry analysis. From a potential Cdx-2 interaction protein identified, we examined its expression in pancreatic and gut endocrine cells, confirmed its interaction with Cdx-2 by GST-pull down and determined its effect in provoking Gcg expression in cell lines that do not express endogenous Gcg. RESULTS: We identified 18 potential Cdx-2 interacting proteins. One of them is Nkx6.2. This homeodomain (HD) protein is expressed in pancreatic ¦Á and intestinal endocrine L cells but not in insulin producing cell lines, including In111. Nkx6.2, but not Nkx6.1, was shown to interact with Cdx-2, detected by GST-pull down. Furthermore, Nkx6.2 was found to synergize with Cdx-2 in provoking Gcg expression when they were ectopically expressed in the In111 cell line. Finally, when Cdx-2 and Nkx6.2 were co-transfected into the undifferentiated rat intestinal IEC-6 cell line, it produced detectable amount of Gcg mRNA. CONCLUSION: Cdx-2 recruits Nkx6.2 in exerting its effect in stimulating Gcg expression. Our observations further support the notion that multiple HD proteins, including Cdx-2 and Nkx6.2, are involved in the regulation of Gcg expression and the genesis of Gcg-producing cells.
%K Cdx-2
%K Nkx6.2
%K Homeodomain
%K Proglucagon
%K Affinity chromatograph
%U http://www.wjgnet.com/1948-9358/full/v2/i5/66.htm