Skip to main content
Download PDF

The transcription factor ATF3 is upregulated during chondrocyte differentiation and represses cyclin D1 and A gene transcription

BMC Molecular Biology volume 7, Article number: 30 (2006) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Coordinated chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation are required for normal endochondral bone growth. Transcription factors binding to the cyclicAMP response element (CRE) are known to regulate these processes. One member of this family, Activating Tanscription Factor 3 (ATF3), is expressed during skeletogenesis and acts as a transcriptional repressor, but the function of this protein in chondrogenesis is unknown.

Results

Here we demonstrate that Atf3 mRNA levels increase during mouse chondrocyte differentiation in vitro and in vivo. In addition, Atf3 mRNA levels are increased in response to cytochalasin D treatment, an inducer of chondrocyte maturation. This is accompanied by increased Atf3 promoter activity in cytochalasin D-treated chondrocytes. We had shown earlier that transcription of the cell cycle genes cyclin D1 and cyclin A in chondrocytes is dependent on CREs. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of ATF3 in primary mouse chondrocytes results in reduced transcription of both genes, as well as decreased activity of a CRE reporter plasmid. Repression of cyclin A transcription by ATF3 required the CRE in the cyclin A promoter. In parallel, ATF3 overexpression reduces the activity of a SOX9-dependent promoter and increases the activity of a RUNX2-dependent promoter.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that transcriptional induction of the Atf3 gene in maturing chondrocytes results in down-regulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin A expression as well as activation of RUNX2-dependent transcription. Therefore, ATF3 induction appears to facilitate cell cycle exit and terminal differentiation of chondrocytes.

Background

Growth and development of endochondral bones is controlled through the highly coordinated proliferation and differentiation of growth plate chondrocytes [1–3]. These processes are regulated by a large number of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine hormones and growth factors that, to a large part, act on chondrocyte cell surface receptors. The intracellular signaling pathways mediating these effects are not completely understood; however, over the last 10 years many of the key transcriptional regulators of chondrocyte differentiation have been identified. The Sox9 gene is required for the differentiation of mesenchymal precursor cells to chondrocytes and, together with the related L-Sox5 and Sox6 proteins, controls chondrocyte-specific gene expression [4, 5]. Sox9 also inhibits terminal differentiation of chondrocytes to the hypertrophic phenotype [6]. In contrast, the Runx2 gene (also known as Cbfa1) is essential for differentiation of osteoblasts, but also promotes hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation [5, 7].

In addition to these key regulators of chondrocyte maturation, numerous other transcription factors have been implicated in this process. One example is the activating transcription factor/cyclicAMP response element-binding protein (ATF/CREB) family that is defined by the ability of its members to bind to the cyclicAMP response element (CRE) in target promoters. Mice with inactivation of the Atf2 gene display chondrodysplasia and reduced chondrocyte proliferation [8], a similar phenotype to transgenic mice overexpressing a dominant-negative form of CREB in cartilage [9]. We and others have shown that ATF2 and CREB regulate the transcription of the cell cycle genes cyclin D1 and cyclin A in chondrocytes through CRE-dependent mechanisms [10–15]. However, the ATF/CREB family contains additional members [16, 17], some of which (such as ATF3) act as transcriptional repressors. These repressors could down-regulate CRE-dependent transcription and thus cause delay of cell cycle progression and/or promote cell cycle exit during terminal differentiation.

Atf3 expression has been shown to be induced by a large variety of cellular stresses, including radiation, DNA-damaging agents, adenoviral infection and others [18–22]. Recent evidence also suggests induction of ATF3 by a number of physiological stimuli such as growth hormone [23], transforming growth factor β[24] and ligands for several G-protein-coupled receptors [25]. In some instances (e.g. in certain heterodimers with other proteins or certain isoforms of ATF3), ATF3 has been shown to activate transcription [26, 27]. However, in most cases ATF3 has been found to repress transcription of target genes [17]. Similarly, the effects of ATF3 on cellular physiology appear to be very context- and cell type-dependent; for example, ATF3 has been shown to both promote [27–29] and inhibit [21, 30, 31] cellular proliferation and cell cycle progression, and to have both pro- and anti-apoptotic effects [31, 32].

We recently performed microarray analyses of an in vitro system of mouse chondrocyte differentiation in three-dimensional micromass cultures [33]. We now extended these studies and demonstrated that numerous ATF/CREB family members are expressed in chondrocytes. Most notably, ATF3 expression is markedly upregulated during chondrocyte differentiation. Validation of ATF3 expression and functional studies strongly suggest an important role for ATF3 in cell cycle exit and terminal differentiation.

Results

Atf3 mRNA levels increase during chondrocyte differentiation

Based on the prominent role of ATF2 (gene name Atf2) and CREB (Creb1) in cartilage development, we analyzed the expression of ATF-CREB family members in our transcriptional profiles of differentiating micromass cultures [33]. Numerous family members were expressed during micromass differentiation (Table 1). Most genes, including Atf2 and Creb1, did not display marked changes in expression during micromass differentiation, and no genes were down-regulated two-fold or more. However, Atf3, Atf5, Atf6 and Creb3l1 genes displayed upregulation towards the end of the time course. The strongest effects were observed for Atf3 transcript levels that increased 4.7-fold from day 3 to 15 of micromass culture (Fig. 1A). Atf5, Atf6 and Creb3l1 mRNA levels increased 4.3-, 2.5- and 3.5-fold over the same period, respectively. Because it showed the largest increase, we focused subsequent studies on the Atf3 gene. We performed real-time PCR analyses of independent micromass cultures from mouse embryonic limb bud cells and demonstrated a strong increase of Atf3 mRNA expression during micromass differentiation, thus validating the microarray data (Fig. 1B).

Table 1 Microarray Expression Profiles of ATF/CREB Family Members
Full size table
Figure 1
figure 1

Atf3 expression is upregulated during chondrocyte differentiation in vitro. Atf3 mRNA expression during chondrogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic limb bud cells in micromass culture was examined by microarray (A) and real-time PCR (B) analyses (different cell isolations were used for the experiments in A and B). Microarray data sets represent averages from three independent experiments. Real-time data were normalized to Gapdh levels and present average and SEM from four independent experiments. Both approaches show similar expression patterns with a strong increase in Atf3 expression during micromass differentiation.

Full size image

To examine the expression of Atf3 during chondrocyte differentiation in vivo, we dissected tibiae from embryonic day 15.5 CD1 mice into the resting/proliferating, prehypertrophic and hypertrophic areas (at this stage, CD1 tibiae are not vascularized yet; the center of the bone is thus still comprised of hypertrophic cartilage). RNA was directly isolated from dissected tibiae, without subculturing of cells. Real-time PCR analyses demonstrated expression of collagen II (Col2a1) in the resting/proliferating area that declines significantly in the prehypertrophic and hypertrophic areas (Fig. 2A). In contrast, collagen X (Col10a1) mRNA was virtually undetectable in the resting/proliferating area and increased strongly in the other zones (Fig. 2B). These expression profiles of known markers of early and late chondrocyte differentiation confirmed efficient separation of the different growth pate zones by microdissection. Atf3 mRNA levels increased more than five-fold from the resting/proliferating to the hypertrophic zone (Fig. 2C). Atf3 expression thus displayed a similar pattern as Col10a1, although the induction was less pronounced for Atf3.

Figure 2
figure 2

Atf3 expression is upregulated during chondrocyte differentiation in vivo. Tibia isolated from embryonic day 15.5. mice were microdissected into the resting/proliferating, prehypertrophic and hypertrophic areas, and RNA was isolated directly out of cartilage. Expression of type II collagen II (Col2a1), type X collagen (Col10a1) and Atf3 was examined by real-time PCR analyses and normalized to Gapdh expression. All data represent averages and SEM from four independent experiments (*: p < 0.05). Col2a1 was strongly expressed in the resting/proliferating area and declined subsequently (A). Col10a1 was virtually undetectable in the resting/proliferating area and strongly induced in the prehypertrophic and hypertrophic areas (B). Atf3 was already expressed in the resting/proliferating area, but expression was significantly increased in the more mature zones of the growth plate.

Full size image

Atf3 is upregulated by cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymerization

We had shown earlier that inhibition of actin polymerization by cytochalasin D promotes chondrogenic differentiation [34, 35]. Thus, we examined whether cytochalasin D affects Atf3 expression. Indeed, incubation of primary chondrocytes with cytochalasin D caused a more than 30-fold induction of Atf3 mRNA levels (Fig. 3A). To examine whether this upregulation is due to transcriptional effects, primary chondrocytes were transfected with an Atf3 promoter – firefly luciferase construct. Cytochalasin D treatment resulted in five-fold upregulation of Atf3 promoter activity (Fig. 3B). Thus, cytochalasin D induces Atf3 through transcriptional mechanisms, at least in part.

Figure 3
figure 3

Inhibition of actin polymerization induces Atf3 expression through transcriptional mechanisms. A) Primary chondrocytes were cultured for 24 hours with DMSO (control) or 1 μM cytochalasin D before harvest and RNA isolation. Real-time PCR demonstrated marked induction of Atf3 mRNA levels by cytochalasin D. Data represent averages and SEM from three independent experiments, normalized to Gapdh (*: p < 0.05). B) Primary chondrocytes were transfected with an Atf3 promoter plasmid and pRLCMV, followed by incubation for 24 hours with DMSO (control) or 1 μM cytochalasin D. Cells were then harvested, firefly luciferase activity was measured and normalized to Renilla luciferase activity. Data represent averages and SEM from three independent experiments, performed in quadruplicate each (*: p < 0.05). Cytochalasin D induced Atf3 promoter activity.

Full size image

ATF3 represses SOX9-dependent and increases RUNX2-dependent transcription

We next asked whether increased expression of Atf3 affects chondrocyte-specific gene expression. Primary chondrocytes were cotransfected with reporter vectors for SOX9 and RUNX2 activity and an ATF3 expression vector. Overexpression of ATF3 resulted in an approximately 40 % reduction in SOX9-dependent transcription (Fig. 4A) and an 80 % increase in RUNX2-dependent transcription (Fig. 4B), suggesting that upregulation of ATF3 can promote the transition from proliferating to hypertrophic chondrocytes.

Figure 4
figure 4

ATF3 suppresses Sox9-dependent transcription and stimulates Runx2-dependent transcription. Primary chondrocytes were cotransfected with SOX9 (A) or RUNX2 (B) reporter plasmids, pcDNA3 (control) or an ATF3 expression vector, and pRLCMV. 24 hours after transfection, cells were harvested, firefly luciferase activity was measured and normalized to Renilla luciferase activity. Data represent averages and SEM from three independent experiments, performed in quadruplicate each (*: p < 0.05). ATF3 overexpression suppressed SOX9-dependent transcription and stimulated RUNX2-dependent transcription.

Full size image

ATF3 represses transcription of the cyclin D1 and cyclinA genes

ATF3 acts as a transcriptional repressor through the CRE. We had demonstrated a requirement for the CRE for maximal activity of the cyclin D1 and cyclin A promoters in chondrocytes [11, 12, 14, 15]. We thus examined the effects of ATF3 overexpression on CRE-dependent transcription and the activity of these two cyclin promoters. Transient transfection of an ATF3 expression plasmid decreased the activity of the CRE-dependent reporter by approximately 50 % (Fig. 5A) and cyclin D1 promoter activity by 38 % (Fig. 5B). ATF3 overexpression most strongly repressed cyclin A promoter activity which decreased to less than 10% of control values (Fig. 5C). To determine whether the effects of ATF3 on cyclin A transcription were mediated by the CRE, we performed parallel experiments using a cyclin A promoter construct with a mutated CRE (Fig. 5C). ATF3 overexpression did not affect activity of this promoter fragment, suggesting that ATF3 represses cyclin A transcription directly through the CRE.

Figure 5
figure 5

ATF3 suppresses CRE-dependent transcription. Primary chondrocytes were cotransfected with a CRE reporter (A), a cyclin D1 promoter (-1745CD1LUC, B) or cyclin A promoter plasmids (p707cycAluc and p707cycAlucMut; C), pcDNA3 (control) or an ATF3 expression vector, and pRLCMV. 24 hours after transfection, cells were harvested, firefly luciferase activity was measured and normalized to Renilla luciferase activity. Data represent averages and SEM from three independent experiments, performed in quadruplicate each (*: p < 0.05). ATF3 overexpression suppressed the CRE reporter, cyclin D1 and cyclin A wild type promoters significantly, whereas the mutant cyclin A construct showed no response to ATF3 overexpression.

Full size image

Discussion

This study is the first to demonstrate an important role of ATF3 in the control of endochondral bone growth and skeletal development. Our data demonstrate upregulation of Atf3 during chondrogenic differentiation in vivo and in vitro. Atf3 expression is known to be induced by a number of different cellular stressors, including hypoxia [22]. Hypoxia has been demonstrated in the cartilage growth plate in vivo [36], raising the possibility that low oxygen tension is one of the physiological inducers of ATF3 in developing cartilage. Interestingly, two of the other ATF/CREB family members found to be upregulated in our studies, ATF6 and CREB3L1 (also known as OASIS), have also been shown to be induced by cellular stress (in particular endoplasmatic reticulum stress) [37–41]. These data suggest that upregulation of stress-responsive transcription factors is a common theme during late stage chondrogenic differentiation in micromass culture. Since Atf3 transcript levels display similar upregulation during chondrocyte differentiation in vivo, this pattern does not appear to be an artifact of the micromass culture system, but to reflect the physiological processes of cartilage development.

ATF2 and CREB, the prototype members of the ATF-CREB family, have been shown to play crucial roles in chondrocyte cell cycle gene expression and proliferation [42, 43]. While their activities are essential to ensure adequate rates of proliferation, physiological bone development also requires regulated cell cycle exit and onset of postmitotic chondrocyte differentiation. These requirements necessitate tight control of ATF2 and CREB activity that can be achieved through several mechanisms. For example, both transcription factors are regulated by posttranslational modifications such as phosphorylation. Changes in phosphorylation status could therefore repress their activity when chondrocytes exit the proliferative phase. For example, we and others have shown that extracellular signals such as Transforming Growth Factor β, Parathyroid Hormone-related Peptide and prostaglandins induce phosphorylation of ATF2 and CREB in chondrocytes, respectively [10, 13, 44]. Our data presented here also suggest that Atf2 and Creb1 mRNA levels do not change during chondrocyte differentiation, suggesting that they are regulated at the posttranscriptional level (e.g. through phosphorylation as discussed above and/or by regulation of protein stability). Another possibility to limit ATF2/CREB activity is the expression of transcriptional repressors that compete with them for binding elements on target genes. One such repressor is ATF3 [26].

Our data show that Atf3 mRNA expression is markedly upregulated during chondrocyte differentiation in a three-dimensional micromass culture system in vitro and in mouse embryonic tibiae in vivo. In addition, Atf3 is strongly induced in response to cytochalasin D, an actin-modifying drug that induces early [34, 35, 45, 46] and late (Woods and Beier, in prep.) chondrocyte differentiation. Our transient transfection assays demonstrate that the induction of Atf3 expression by cytochalasin D occurs, at least in part, at the transcriptional level; however, induction of mRNA levels is markedly higher than stimulation of promoter activity. This could be due to posttranscriptional mechanisms such as increased mRNA stability as has been described for Atf3 before [47]. Alternatively, transcriptional activation of the endogenous Atf3 gene through promoter/enhancer elements not present in our reporter plasmid is possible.

The expression pattern of Atf3 is therefore consistent with a function during cell cycle exit and terminal differentiation. Furthermore, our data suggest that ATF3 represses CRE-dependent transcription, for example the activity of the cyclin D1 and cyclin A promoters. We have shown earlier that the activities of these promoters correlates with the corresponding protein levels in chondrocytes [11–13]. Induction of ATF3 should therefore result in reduced levels of these cyclins and other ATF2/CREB targets. The cyclin A promoter showed a much stronger response to ATF3 overexpression than the cyclin D1 promoter and the CRE reporter. The most plausible explanation for this difference is that the cyclin A promoter, in addition to direct regulation through the CRE, is also controlled by upstream cell cycle proteins such as cyclin D1 and E2F [48, 49]. Reduced cyclin D1 levels and E2F activity in response to ATF3 overexpression could therefore contribute to the observed strong downregulation of cyclin A transcription by ATF3.

Mutation of the CRE in the cyclin A promoter completely abolished the response to ATF3 overexpression, providing strong evidence that the effects of ATF3 on cyclin A transcription are mediated by direct binding to the CRE. Interestingly, overexpression of ATF3 repressed cyclin A promoter more than mutation of CRE. This suggests that binding of ATF3 to the CRE also suppresses the activity of other elements in the promoter, for example the E2F response element discussed above.

In growth plate physiology, Sox9 suppresses and Runx2 promotes chondrocyte hypertrophy. In this study, we observed repression of Sox9 activity and enhancement of Runx2 activity in response to ATF3 overexpression, in agreement with the postmitotic role of ATF3 suggested by us. However, the mechanism(s) involved remain to be elucidated. One possibility is that ATF3, indirectly or directly, regulates expression of Sox9 and/or Runx2, or required cofactors. A second possibility is that ATF3 physically interacts with each or both of these factors, thereby modulating their activity. Both Sox9 and Runx2 are known to undergo protein-protein interactions with many other transcription factors. For example, Sox9 has been shown to interact with c-Maf [50], steroidogenic factor 1 [51] and β-catenin [52]. Runx2 has been shown to interact with, among others, Nrf2 [53] and Smad [54] proteins. Most notably, Runx2 has been demonstrated to bind to ATF4, another member of the ATF/CREB family, although this interaction appears to be indirect [55]. A third possibility is that the effects of ATF3 on Sox9 and Runx2 activity are secondary to ATF3's effect on cell cycle progression. It has been shown that Runx2 activity fluctuates throughout the cell cycle and is controlled by the cell cycle machinery [56–59]. For example, cyclin D1 together with cyclin-dependent kinase 4 has been shown to promote ubiquitination and degradation of Runx2 [60]. Repression of cyclin D1 expression by ATF3 would thus result in stabilization of Runx2 and increased differentiation. Our model for the effects of ATF3 on chondrocyte cell cycle gene expression and Runx2 activity is illustrated in Fig. 6. To our knowledge, no cell cycle control mechanisms for Sox9 activity have been reported, but are conceivable.

Figure 6
figure 6

Model for ATF3 action in chondrocyte differentiation. We suggest that induction of ATF3 by differentiation stimuli antagonizes the CRE-dependent expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin A, which are induced by mitogenic stimuli through ATF2 and CREB. Reduced cyclin-dependent kinase activity and hypophosphorylation of pocket proteins in response to ATF3 upregulation then results both in cell cycle exit and in increased activity of Runx2, promoting chondrocyte differentiation.

Full size image

Conclusion

In summary, this study identifies ATF3 as a novel player in the complex networks controlling growth plate chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. Induction of Atf3 expression by differentiation stimuli is likely to contribute to the coordination of cell cycle exit and hypertrophic differentiation during endochondral bone growth. Analyses of the in vivo roles of ATF3 in endochondral ossification and identification of the physiological inducers and target genes of ATF3 during skeletogenesis will be important steps towards a better understanding of cartilage development.

Methods

Materials

Timed-pregnant CD1 mice (embryonic day 11.5 [E11.5] or E15.5) were obtained from Charles River. Real-time PCR reagents were obtained from Applied Biosystems. Cell culture reagents and the pcDNA3 plasmid were from Invitrogen, and cytochalasin D was purchased from Calbiochem. Fugene 6 was obtained from Roche, the dual luciferase assay and the plasmid pRLCMV were from Promega. The CRE reporter plasmid was from Stratagene. The SOX9 reporter plasmid has been described [61]; the RUNX2 reporter plasmid was constructed in a similar fashion (8 copies of a Runx2 binding site cloned upstream of a minimal osteocalcin promoter in pGl3basic [Promega]). The Atf3 promoter plasmid [23], the ATF3 expression plasmid [62], the cyclin D1 promoter plasmid -1745CD1Luc [63] and the cyclin A promoter plasmids pcycAluc707 and pcycAluc707mut [64] plasmid were generously provided by Drs. J. Schwartz (University of Michigan), D. Steiner (University of Chicago), R. Pestell (Georgetown University) and K. Oda (Science University of Tokyo), respectively.

RNA isolation, microarray analyses and real-time PCR

Sample generation, RNA isolation, microarrays and bioinformatics analyses for these data have been described recently [33]. For microdissections, embryonic day 15.5 tibiae were dissected into the resting/proliferating, prehypertrophic and hypertrophic areas under a stereomicroscope, and RNA was isolated following the RNeasy ® Lipid Tissue Extraction protocol from Qiagen (Mississauga). RNA integrity was verified using the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. Real-time PCR was performed as described, using Assays-on-Demand (Applied Biosystems) and Gapdh for standardization [33, 34, 65]. All reactions were run in quadruplicate from at least three independent experiments.

Micromass cultures and primary chondrocyte cultures

Micromass cultures from E11.5 mouse limb buds and isolation of primary murine chondrocytes from E15.5 long bones were performed as recently described [33, 66]. Micromass cultures were differentiated for 15 days, and samples were harvested every three days for RNA isolation. Primary chondrocytes were plated in monolayer culture in medium containing 10 % fetal bovine serum and incubated for 24 hours with DMSO (control) or 1 μM cytochalasin D before harvest for RNA as described [35].

Transient transfections and luciferase assays

Primary chondrocytes in monolayer culture were transiently transfected using Fugene 6 as described [14, 35, 67]. For Atf3 promoter analyses, cells were transfected with the Atf3 promoter plasmid and pRLCMV for standardization. After transfection, cells were incubated with DMSO or 1 μM cytochalasin D for 24 hours before harvesting for luciferase assays. For cotransfections, cells were transfected with the respective promoter plasmid (cyclin D1, cyclin A or the CRE, SOX9 or RUNX2 reporters), pRLSV40 and empty expression vector (pcDNA3) or the ATF3 expression vector. Cells were harvested 24 hours after transfection. Firefly luciferase activity was determined and normalized to Renilla luciferase activity. All data shown present averages and SEM from three independent experiments done in quadruplicate each.

Statistical analyses

Statistical significance of real-time PCR and luciferase results was determined by two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-test using GraphPad Prism version 3.00 for Windows, GraphPad Software, San Diego California USA.

Abbreviations

ATF:

activating transcription factor

CRE:

cyclic AMP response element, CREB, CRE-binding protein

PCR:

polymerase chain reaction

References

  1. van der Eerden BCJ, Karperien M, Wit JM: Systemic and Local Regulation of the Growth Plate. Endocr Rev. 2003, 24 (6): 782-801. 10.1210/er.2002-0033

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Kronenberg HM: Developmental regulation of the growth plate. Nature. 2003, 423 (6937): 332-336. 10.1038/nature01657

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Ballock RT, O'Keefe RJ: Physiology and pathophysiology of the growth plate. Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today. 2003, 69 (2): 123-143. 10.1002/bdrc.10014

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Hoffman LM, Weston AD, Underhill TM: Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Chondroblast Differentiation. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003, 85 (90002): 124-132.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Lefebvre V, Smits P: Transcriptional control of chondrocyte fate and differentiation. Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today. 2005, 75 (3): 200-212. 10.1002/bdrc.20048

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Akiyama H, Chaboissier MC, Martin JF, Schedl A, de Crombrugghe B: The transcription factor Sox9 has essential roles in successive steps of the chondrocyte differentiation pathway and is required for expression of Sox5 and Sox6. Genes Dev. 2002, 16 (21): 2813-2828. 10.1101/gad.1017802

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Karsenty G: Minireview: transcriptional control of osteoblast differentiation. Endocrinology. 2001, 142 (7): 2731-2733. 10.1210/en.142.7.2731

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Reimold AM, Grusby MJ, Kosaras B, Fries JW, Mori R, Maniwa S, Clauss IM, Collins T, Sidman RL, Glimcher MJ, Glimcher LH: Chondrodysplasia and neurological abnormalities in ATF-2-deficient mice. Nature. 1996, 379 (6562): 262-265. 10.1038/379262a0

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Long F, Schipani E, Asahara H, Kronenberg H, Montminy M: The CREB family of activators is required for endochondral bone development. Development. 2001, 128 (4): 541-550.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Ionescu AM, Schwarz EM, Vinson C, Puzas JE, Rosier R, Reynolds PR, O'Keefe RJ: PTHrP modulates chondrocyte differentiation through AP-1 and CREB signaling. J Biol Chem. 2001, 276 (15): 11639-11647. 10.1074/jbc.M006564200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Beier F, Taylor AC, LuValle P: Activating transcription factor 2 is necessary for maximal activity and serum induction of the cyclin A promoter in chondrocytes. J Biol Chem. 2000, 275 (17): 12948-12953. 10.1074/jbc.275.17.12948

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Beier F, Lee RJ, Taylor AC, Pestell RG, LuValle P: Identification of the cyclin D1 gene as a target of activating transcription factor 2 in chondrocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999, 96 (4): 1433-1438. 10.1073/pnas.96.4.1433

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Beier F, Ali Z, Mok D, Taylor AC, Leask T, Albanese C, Pestell RG, LuValle P: TGFbeta and PTHrP Control Chondrocyte Proliferation by Activating Cyclin D1 Expression. Mol Biol Cell. 2001, 12 (12): 3852-3863.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Halawani D, Mondeh R, Stanton LA, Beier F: p38 MAP kinase signaling is necessary for rat chondrosarcoma cell proliferation. Oncogene. 2004, 23 (20): 3726-3731. 10.1038/sj.onc.1207422

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Beier F, LuValle P: The cyclin D1 and cyclin A genes are targets of activated PTH/PTHrP receptors in Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. Mol Endocrinol. 2002, 16 (9): 2163-2173. 10.1210/me.2001-0103

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Persengiev SP, Green MR: The role of ATF/CREB family members in cell growth, survival and apoptosis. Apoptosis. 2003, 8 (3): 225-228. 10.1023/A:1023633704132

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Hai T, Hartman MG: The molecular biology and nomenclature of the activating transcription factor/cAMP responsive element binding family of transcription factors: activating transcription factor proteins and homeostasis. Gene. 2001, 273 (1): 1-11. 10.1016/S0378-1119(01)00551-0

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Pan Y, Chen H, Siu F, Kilberg MS: Amino acid deprivation and endoplasmic reticulum stress induce expression of multiple ATF3 mRNA species which, when overexpressed in HepG2 cells, modulate transcription by the human Asparagine synthetase promoter. J Biol Chem. 2003, 278 (40): 38402-12. 10.1074/jbc.M304574200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Hagmeyer BM, Duyndam MC, Angel P, de Groot RP, Verlaan M, Elfferich P, van der Eb A, Zantema A: Altered AP-1/ATF complexes in adenovirus-E1-transformed cells due to EIA-dependent induction of ATF3. Oncogene. 1996, 12 (5): 1025-1032.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Kool J, Hamdi M, Cornelissen-Steijger P, van der Eb AJ, Terleth C, van Dam H: Induction of ATF3 by ionizing radiation is mediated via a signaling pathway that includes ATM, Nibrin1, stress-induced MAPkinases and ATF-2. Oncogene. 2003, 22 (27): 4235-4242. 10.1038/sj.onc.1206611

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Fan F, Jin S, Amundson SA, Tong T, Fan W, Zhao H, Zhu X, Mazzacurati L, Li X, Petrik KL, Fornace AJJ, Rajasekaran B, Zhan Q: ATF3 induction following DNA damage is regulated by distinct signaling pathways and over-expression of ATF3 protein suppresses cells growth. Oncogene. 2002, 21 (49): 7488-7496. 10.1038/sj.onc.1205896

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Tang Y, Pacary E, Freret T, Divoux D, Petit E, Schumann-Bard P, Bernaudin M: Effect of hypoxic preconditioning on brain genomic response before and following ischemia in the adult mouse: identification of potential neuroprotective candidates for stroke. Neurobiol Dis. 2006, 21 (1): 18-28. 10.1016/j.nbd.2005.06.002

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Huo JS, McEachin RC, Cui TX, Duggal NK, Hai T, States DJ, Schwartz J: Profiles of Growth Hormone (GH)-regulated Genes Reveal Time-dependent Responses and Identify a Mechanism for Regulation of Activating Transcription Factor 3 By GH. J Biol Chem. 2006, 281 (7): 4132-4141. 10.1074/jbc.M508492200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Bakin AV, Stourman NV, Sekhar KR, Rinehart C, Yan X, Meredith MJ, Arteaga CL, Freeman ML: Smad3-ATF3 signaling mediates TGF-beta suppression of genes encoding Phase II detoxifying proteins. Free Radic Biol Med. 2005, 38 (3): 375-387. 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2004.10.033

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Nilssen LS, Odegard J, Thoresen GH, Molven A, Sandnes D, Christoffersen T: G protein-coupled receptor agonist-stimulated expression of ATF3/LRF-1 and c-myc and comitogenic effects in hepatocytes do not require EGF receptor transactivation. J Cell Physiol. 2004, 201 (3): 349-358. 10.1002/jcp.20075

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Chen BP, Liang G, Whelan J, Hai T: ATF3 and ATF3 delta Zip. Transcriptional repression versus activation by alternatively spliced isoforms. J Biol Chem. 1994, 269 (22): 15819-15826.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Allan AL, Albanese C, Pestell RG, LaMarre J: Activating transcription factor 3 induces DNA synthesis and expression of cyclin D1 in hepatocytes. J Biol Chem. 2001, 276 (29): 27272-27280. 10.1074/jbc.M103196200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Perez S, Vial E, van Dam H, Castellazzi M: Transcription factor ATF3 partially transforms chick embryo fibroblasts by promoting growth factor-independent proliferation. Oncogene. 2001, 20 (9): 1135-1141. 10.1038/sj.onc.1204200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Ishiguro T, Nagawa H, Naito M, Tsuruo T: Inhibitory effect of ATF3 antisense oligonucleotide on ectopic growth of HT29 human colon cancer cells. Jpn J Cancer Res. 2000, 91 (8): 833-836.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Allen-Jennings AE, Hartman MG, Kociba GJ, Hai T: The Roles of ATF3 in Glucose Homeostasis. A TRANSGENIC MOUSE MODEL WITH LIVER DYSFUNCTION AND DEFECTS IN ENDOCRINE PANCREAS. J Biol Chem. 2001, 276 (31): 29507-29514. 10.1074/jbc.M100986200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Lu D, Wolfgang CD, Hai T: Activating Transcription Factor 3, a Stress-inducible Gene, Suppresses Ras-stimulated Tumorigenesis. J Biol Chem. 2006, 281 (15): 10473-10481. 10.1074/jbc.M509278200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Nobori K, Ito H, Tamamori-Adachi M, Adachi S, Ono Y, Kawauchi J, Kitajima S, Marumo F, Isobe M: ATF3 inhibits doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in cardiac myocytes: a novel cardioprotective role of ATF3. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2002, 34 (10): 1387-1397. 10.1006/jmcc.2002.2091

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. James CG, Appleton CTG, Ulici V, Underhill TM, Beier F: Microarray Analyses of Gene Expression during Chondrocyte Differentiation Identifies Novel Regulators of Hypertrophy. Mol Biol Cell. 2005, 16 (11): 5316-5333. 10.1091/mbc.E05-01-0084

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Woods A, Wang G, Beier F: RhoA/ROCK signaling regulates Sox9 expression and actin organization during chondrogenesis. J Biol Chem. 2005, 280 (12): 11626-11634. 10.1074/jbc.M409158200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Woods A, Beier F: RhoA/ROCK Signaling Regulates Chondrogenesis in a Context-dependent Manner. J Biol Chem. 2006, 281 (19): 13134-13140. 10.1074/jbc.M509433200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Schipani E, Ryan HE, Didrickson S, Kobayashi T, Knight M, Johnson RS: Hypoxia in cartilage: HIF-1alpha is essential for chondrocyte growth arrest and survival. Genes Dev. 2001, 15 (21): 2865-2876.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Kondo S, Murakami T, Tatsumi K, Ogata M, Kanemoto S, Otori K, Iseki K, Wanaka A, Imaizumi K: OASIS, a CREB/ATF-family member, modulates UPR signalling in astrocytes. Nat Cell Biol. 2005, 7 (2): 186-194. 10.1038/ncb1213

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Haze K, Yoshida H, Yanagi H, Yura T, Mori K: Mammalian transcription factor ATF6 is synthesized as a transmembrane protein and activated by proteolysis in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress. Mol Biol Cell. 1999, 10 (11): 3787-3799.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Li M, Baumeister P, Roy B, Phan T, Foti D, Luo S, Lee AS: ATF6 as a transcription activator of the endoplasmic reticulum stress element: thapsigargin stress-induced changes and synergistic interactions with NF-Y and YY1. Mol Cell Biol. 2000, 20 (14): 5096-5106. 10.1128/MCB.20.14.5096-5106.2000

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Wang Y, Shen J, Arenzana N, Tirasophon W, Kaufman RJ, Prywes R: Activation of ATF6 and an ATF6 DNA binding site by the endoplasmic reticulum stress response. J Biol Chem. 2000, 275 (35): 27013-27020.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Yoshida H, Haze K, Yanagi H, Yura T, Mori K: Identification of the cis-acting endoplasmic reticulum stress response element responsible for transcriptional induction of mammalian glucose-regulated proteins. Involvement of basic leucine zipper transcription factors. J Biol Chem. 1998, 273 (50): 33741-33749. 10.1074/jbc.273.50.33741

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Beier F: Cell-cycle control and the cartilage growth plate. J Cell Physiol. 2005, 202 (1): 1-8. 10.1002/jcp.20111

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. LuValle P, Beier F: Cell cycle control in growth plate chondrocytes. Front Biosci. 2000, 5: D493-503.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Li TF, Zuscik MJ, Ionescu AM, Zhang X, Rosier RN, Schwarz EM, Drissi H, O'Keefe RJ: PGE2 inhibits chondrocyte differentiation through PKA and PKC signaling. Exp Cell Res. 2004, 300 (1): 159-169. 10.1016/j.yexcr.2004.06.019

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Benya PD: Modulation and reexpression of the chondrocyte phenotype; mediation by cell shape and microfilament modification. Pathol Immunopathol Res. 1988, 7 (1-2): 51-54.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Loty S, Forest N, Boulekbache H, Sautier JM: Cytochalasin D induces changes in cell shape and promotes in vitro chondrogenesis: a morphological study. Biol Cell. 1995, 83 (2-3): 149-161. 10.1016/0248-4900(96)81303-7

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Liang G, Wolfgang CD, Chen BP, Chen TH, Hai T: ATF3 gene. Genomic organization, promoter, and regulation. J Biol Chem. 1996, 271 (3): 1695-1701. 10.1074/jbc.271.3.1695

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Schulze A, Zerfass K, Spitkovsky D, Middendorp S, Berges J, Helin K, Jansen-Durr P, Henglein B: Cell cycle regulation of the cyclin A gene promoter is mediated by a variant E2F site. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1995, 92 (24): 11264-11268. 10.1073/pnas.92.24.11264

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Schulze A, Zerfass K, Spitkovsky D, Henglein B, Jansen-Durr P: Activation of the E2F transcription factor by cyclin D1 is blocked by p16INK4, the product of the putative tumor suppressor gene MTS1. Oncogene. 1994, 9 (12): 3475-3482.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Huang W, Lu N, Eberspaecher H, de Crombrugghe B: A New Long Form of c-Maf Cooperates with Sox9 to Activate the Type II Collagen Gene. J Biol Chem. 2002, 277 (52): 50668-50675. 10.1074/jbc.M206544200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. De Santa Barbara P, Bonneaud N, Boizet B, Desclozeaux M, Moniot B, Sudbeck P, Scherer G, Poulat F, Berta P: Direct interaction of SRY-related protein SOX9 and steroidogenic factor 1 regulates transcription of the human anti-Mullerian hormone gene. Mol Cell Biol. 1998, 18 (11): 6653-6665.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Akiyama H, Lyons JP, Mori-Akiyama Y, Yang X, Zhang R, Zhang Z, Deng JM, Taketo MM, Nakamura T, Behringer RR, McCrea PD, de Crombrugghe B: Interactions between Sox9 and {beta}-catenin control chondrocyte differentiation. Genes Dev. 2004, 18 (9): 1072-1087. 10.1101/gad.1171104

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Hinoi E, Fujimori S, Wang L, Hojo H, Uno K, Yoneda Y: Nrf2 Negatively Regulates Osteoblast Differentiation via Interfering with Runx2-dependent Transcriptional Activation. J Biol Chem. 2006, 281 (26): 18015-18024. 10.1074/jbc.M600603200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Selvamurugan N, Kwok S, Alliston T, Reiss M, Partridge NC: Transforming Growth Factor-{beta}1 Regulation of Collagenase-3 Expression in Osteoblastic Cells by Cross-talk between the Smad and MAPK Signaling Pathways and Their Components, Smad2 and Runx2. J Biol Chem. 2004, 279 (18): 19327-19334. 10.1074/jbc.M314048200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Xiao G, Jiang D, Ge C, Zhao Z, Lai Y, Boules H, Phimphilai M, Yang X, Karsenty G, Franceschi RT: Cooperative Interactions between Activating Transcription Factor 4 and Runx2/Cbfa1 Stimulate Osteoblast-specific Osteocalcin Gene Expression. J Biol Chem. 2005, 280 (35): 30689-30696. 10.1074/jbc.M500750200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Thomas DM, Johnson SA, Sims NA, Trivett MK, Slavin JL, Rubin BP, Waring P, McArthur GA, Walkley CR, Holloway AJ, Diyagama D, Grim JE, Clurman BE, Bowtell DDL, Lee JS, Gutierrez GM, Piscopo DM, Carty SA, Hinds PW: Terminal osteoblast differentiation, mediated by runx2 and p27KIP1, is disrupted in osteosarcoma. J Cell Biol. 2004, 167 (5): 925-934. 10.1083/jcb.200409187

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Galindo M, Pratap J, Young DW, Hovhannisyan H, Im HJ, Choi JY, Lian JB, Stein JL, Stein GS, van Wijnen AJ: The Bone-specific Expression of Runx2 Oscillates during the Cell Cycle to Support a G1-related Antiproliferative Function in Osteoblasts. J Biol Chem. 2005, 280 (21): 20274-20285. 10.1074/jbc.M413665200

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Qiao M, Shapiro P, Fosbrink M, Rus H, Kumar R, Passaniti A: Cell Cycle-dependent Phosphorylation of the RUNX2 Transcription Factor by cdc2 Regulates Endothelial Cell Proliferation. J Biol Chem. 2006, 281 (11): 7118-7128. 10.1074/jbc.M508162200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Pratap J, Galindo M, Zaidi SK, Vradii D, Bhat BM, Robinson JA, Choi JY, Komori T, Stein JL, Lian JB, Stein GS, van Wijnen AJ: Cell Growth Regulatory Role of Runx2 during Proliferative Expansion of Preosteoblasts. Cancer Res. 2003, 63 (17): 5357-5362.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Shen R, Wang X, Drissi H, Liu F, O'Keefe RJ, Chen D: Cyclin D1-Cdk4 Induce Runx2 Ubiquitination and Degradation. J Biol Chem. 2006, 281 (24): 16347-16353. 10.1074/jbc.M603439200

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Weston AD, Chandraratna RA, Torchia J, Underhill TM: Requirement for RAR-mediated gene repression in skeletal progenitor differentiation. J Cell Biol. 2002, 158 (1): 39-51. 10.1083/jcb.200112029

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Wang J, Cao Y, Steiner DF: Regulation of Proglucagon Transcription by Activated Transcription Factor (ATF) 3 and a Novel Isoform, ATF3b, through the cAMP-response Element/ATF Site of the Proglucagon Gene Promoter. J Biol Chem. 2003, 278 (35): 32899-32904. 10.1074/jbc.M305456200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Watanabe G, Howe A, Lee RJ, Albanese C, Shu IW, Karnezis AN, Zon L, Kyriakis J, Rundell K, Pestell RG: Induction of cyclin D1 by simian virus 40 small tumor antigen. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996, 93 (23): 12861-12866. 10.1073/pnas.93.23.12861

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Nakamura T, Okuyama S, Okamoto S, Nakajima T, Sekiya S, Oda K: Down-regulation of the cyclin A promoter in differentiating human embryonal carcinoma cells is mediated by depletion of ATF-1 and ATF-2 in the complex at the ATF/CRE site. Exp Cell Res. 1995, 216 (2): 422-430. 10.1006/excr.1995.1053

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Appleton CT, James CG, Beier F: Regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins differentially control chondrocyte differentiation. J Cell Physiol. 2006

    Google Scholar 

  66. Stanton LA, Sabari S, Sampaio AV, Underhill TM, Beier F: p38 MAP kinase signalling is required for hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation. Biochem J. 2004, 378 (Pt 1): 53-62. 10.1042/BJ20030874

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Wang G, Woods A, Sabari S, Pagnotta L, Stanton LA, Beier F: RhoA/ROCK signaling suppresses hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation. J Biol Chem. 2004, 279 (13): 13205-13214. 10.1074/jbc.M311427200

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Drs. Schwartz, Steiner, Pestell and Oda for the gift of plasmids. And to H. Agoston and Dr. L.-A. Stanton for RNA samples. C.G.J. and A.W. are recipients of Doctoral Awards from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). A.W. held a graduate student award from the Canadian Arthritis Network, and C.G.J held Ontario Graduate Scholarships for Science and Technology. T.M.U is the recipient of a New Investigator Award from CIHR, and F.B. holds a New Investigator Award from The Arthritis Society and a Canada Research Chair. Work in the laboratory of F.B. is supported by operating grants from CIHR, The Arthritis Society, the Canadian Arthritis Network and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.

Author information

Author notes

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. CIHR Group in Skeletal Development and Remodeling, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

      Claudine G James, Anita Woods, T Michael Underhill & Frank Beier

    2. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

      Claudine G James, Anita Woods & Frank Beier

    3. Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

      T Michael Underhill

    Authors
    1. Claudine G James
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    2. Anita Woods
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    3. T Michael Underhill
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    4. Frank Beier
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    Corresponding author

    Correspondence to Frank Beier.

    Additional information

    Authors' contributions

    CGJ and AW performed experiments and contributed to the writing of the manuscript. TMU provided input into the design of the study and the manuscript. FB conceived of the study, performed selected experiments and contributed to the writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

    Claudine G James, Anita Woods contributed equally to this work.

    Authors’ original submitted files for images

    Rights and permissions

    Open Access This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 ), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

    Reprints and Permissions

    About this article

    Cite this article

    James, C.G., Woods, A., Underhill, T.M. et al. The transcription factor ATF3 is upregulated during chondrocyte differentiation and represses cyclin D1 and A gene transcription. BMC Molecular Biol 7, 30 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2199-7-30

    Download citation

    • Received:

    • Accepted:

    • Published:

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2199-7-30

    Keywords

    • Chondrogenic Differentiation
    • Chondrocyte Differentiation
    • Cell Cycle Exit
    • Micromass Culture
    • Primary Chondrocytes

    BMC Molecular Biology

    ISSN: 1471-2199

    Contact us