Previous studies indicate that Chinese indigenous pig breeds demonstrate distinct pattern of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression, which is associated with their unique growth and metabolic phenotypes. Here we sought to unravel the transcriptional mechanisms underlying the breed-specific hepatic GR expression in preweaning Chinese Erhualian (EHL) and Western Large White (LW) piglets. Total GR mRNA and the predominant GR mRNA variant 1–9/10 were expressed significantly higher in EHL compared with LW piglets (P<0.01), which was associated with more enriched histone H3 acetylation on 1–9/10 promoter (P<0.05). Nuclear content of transcription factor specificity protein 1 (Sp1) was significantly lower in EHL piglets, yet its binding to GR 1–9/10 promoter was significantly higher in EHL piglets, as revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Although p53 binding to GR promoter 1–9/10 did not differ between breeds, expression of p53 mRNA and protein, as well as its binding to Sp1, were significantly higher in EHL piglets. Moreover, p53 activator doxorubicin significantly enhanced GR 1–9/10 promoter activity in HepG2 cells at 100 nM, which was associated with significantly higher protein content of p53 and GR. Sp1 inhibitor, mithramycin A, significantly inhibited (P<0.05) the basal activity of GR promoter 1–9/10 and completely blocked doxorubicin -induced activation of GR promoter 1–9/10. These data indicate that higher hepatic GR expression in EHL piglets attributes mainly to the enhanced transcription of GR promoter 1–9/10, which is achieved from breed-specific interaction of p53 and Sp1 on porcine GR 1–9/10 promoter.
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