Phylogenetic footprinting and genome scanning identify vertebrate BMP response elements and new target genes

The complex gene regulatory networks governed by growth factor signaling are still poorly understood. In order to accelerate the rate of progress in uncovering these networks, we explored the usefulness of interspecies sequence comparison (phylogenetic footprinting) to identify conserved growth factor response elements. The promoter regions of two direct target genes of Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling in Xenopus, Xvent2 and XId3, were compared with the corresponding human and/or mouse counterparts to identify conserved sequences. A comparison between the Xenopus and human Vent2 promoter sequences revealed a highly conserved 21 bp sequence that overlaps the previously reported Xvent2 BMP response element (BRE). Reporter gene assays using Xenopus animal pole ectodermal explants (animal caps) revealed that this conserved 21 bp BRE is both necessary and sufficient for BMP responsiveness. We combine the same phylogenetic footprinting approach with luciferase assays to identify a highly conserved 49 bp BMP responsive region in the Xenopus Id3 promoter. GFP reporters containing multimers of either the Xvent2 or XId3 BREs appear to recapitulate endogenous BMP signaling activity in transgenic Xenopus embryos. Comparison of the Xvent2 and the XId3 BRE revealed core sequence features that are both necessary and sufficient for BMP responsiveness: a Smad binding element (SBE) and a GC-rich element resembling an OAZ binding site. Based on these findings, we have implemented genome scanning to identify over 100 additional putative target genes containing 2 or more BRE-like sequences which are conserved between human and mouse. RT-PCR and in situ analyses revealed that this in silico approach can effectively be used to identify potential BMP target genes.     

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) signaling in retinoblastoma cells

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) - expressed in the developing retina - are known to be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis in several tumor entities. The objective of this study was to determine the role of the BMP4 pathway in retinoblastoma cells, which are absent in a functional retinoblastoma (RB1) gene. BMP receptors were detected in all retinoblastoma cell lines investigated. A correct transmission of BMP signaling via the Smad1/5/8 pathway could be demonstrated in WERI-Rb1 retinoblastoma cells and application of recombinant human BMP4 resulted in an increase in apoptosis, which to a large extend is caspase independent. Cell proliferation was not affected by BMP4 signaling, although the pRb-related proteins p107 and p130, contributing to the regulation of the same genes, are still expressed. WERI-Rb1 cells exhibit elevated endogenous levels of p21(CIP1) and p53, but we did not detect any increase in p53, p21(CIP1)or p27(KIP1) expression levels. Id proteins became, however, strongly up-regulated upon exogenous BMP4 treatment. Thus, RB1 loss in WERI-Rb1 cells is obviously not compensated for by pRb-independent (e.g. p53-dependent) cell cycle control mechanisms, preventing an anti-proliferative response to BMP4, which normally induces cell cycle arrest.     

WSS25 Inhibits Growth of Xenografted Hepatocellular Cancer Cells in Nude Mice by Disrupting Angiogenesis via Blocking Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)/Smad/Id1 Signaling

The highly expressed Id1 (inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation) protein promotes angiogenesis in HCC and is a well established target for anti-angiogenesis therapeutic strategies. Heparan sulfate (HS) mimetics such as PI-88 can abrogate HS-protein interactions to inhibit angiogenesis. Id1 is the direct downstream effector of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), which are angiogenic and HS-binding proteins. Thus, targeting BMPs by HS mimetics may inhibit angiogenesis via attenuating Id1 expression. We report here that a HS mimetic WSS25 potently inhibited the tube formation of HMEC-1 cells on Matrigel and their migration. Meanwhile, WSS25 (25 μg/ml) nearly completely blocked Id1 expression in the HMEC-1 cells as demonstrated by oligo-angiogenesis microarray analysis and further confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. BMP/Smad/Id1 signaling also was blocked by WSS25 treatment in HMEC-1 cells. Importantly, Id1 knockdown in HMEC-1 cells caused the disruption of their tube formation on Matrigel. By employing quartz crystal microbalance analysis, we found that WSS25 strongly bound to BMP2. Moreover, WSS25 impaired BMP2-induced tube formation of HMEC-1 cells on Matrigel and angiogenesis in Matrigel transplanted into C57BL6 mice. Furthermore, WSS25 (100 mg/kg) abrogated the growth of HCC cells xenografted in male nude mice. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that both the expression of Id1 and the endothelial cell marker CD31 were lower in the WSS25-treated tumor tissue than in the control. Therefore, WSS25 is a potential drug candidate for HCC therapy as a tumor angiogenesis inhibitor.     

Common variants in the BMP2, BMP4, and HJV genes of the hepcidin regulation pathway modulate HFE hemochromatosis penetrance

Most cases of genetic hemochromatosis (GH) are associated with the HFE C282Y/C282Y (p.Cys282Tyr/p.Cys282Tyr) genotype in white populations. The symptoms expressed by C282Y homozygotes are extremely variable. Only a few suffer from an overt disease. Several studies have suggested that, in addition to environmental factors, a genetic component could explain a substantial part of this phenotypic variation, although very few genetic factors have been identified so far. In the present study, we tested the association between common variants in candidate genes and hemochromatosis penetrance, in a large sample of C282Y homozygotes, using pretherapeutic serum ferritin level as marker of hemochromatosis penetrance. We focused on two biologically relevant gene categories: genes involved in non-HFE GH (TFR2, HAMP, and SLC40A1) and genes involved in the regulation of hepcidin expression, including genes from the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) regulatory pathway (BMP2, BMP4, HJV, SMAD1, SMAD4, and SMAD5) and the IL6 gene from the inflammation-mediated regulation pathway. A significant association was detected between serum ferritin level and rs235756, a common single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the BMP2 genic region (P=4.42x10-5). Mean ferritin level, adjusted for age and sex, is 655 ng/ml among TT genotypes, 516 ng/ml in TC genotypes, and 349 ng/ml in CC genotypes. Our results further suggest an interactive effect on serum ferritin level of rs235756 in BMP2 and a SNP in HJV, with a small additive effect of a SNP in BMP4. This first reported association between common variants in the BMP pathway and iron burden suggests that full expression of HFE hemochromatosis is linked to abnormal liver expression of hepcidin, not only through impairment in the HFE function but also through functional modulation in the BMP pathway. Our results also highlight the BMP regulation pathway as a good candidate for identification of new modifier genes.     

BMP action in skeletogenesis involves attenuation of retinoid signaling

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and growth and differentiation factor (GDF) signaling pathways have well-established and essential roles within the developing skeleton in coordinating the formation of cartilaginous anlagen. However, the identification of bona fide targets that underlie the action of these signaling molecules in chondrogenesis has remained elusive. We have identified the gene for the retinoic acid (RA) synthesis enzyme Aldh1a2 as a principal target of BMP signaling; prochondrogenic BMPs or GDFs lead to attenuation of Aldh1a2 expression and, consequently, to reduced activation of the retinoid signaling pathway. Consistent with this, antagonism of retinoid signaling phenocopies BMP4 action, whereas RA inhibits the chondrogenic stimulatory activity of BMP4. BMP4 also down-regulates Aldh1a2 expression in organ culture and, consistent with this, Aldh1a2 is actively excluded from the developing cartilage anlagens. Collectively, these findings provide novel insights into BMP action and demonstrate that BMP signaling governs the fate of prechondrogenic mesenchyme, at least in part, through regulation of retinoid signaling.     

HLA-B-associated transcript 3 (Bat3/Scythe) negatively regulates Smad phosphorylation in BMP signaling

Members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily participate in numerous biological phenomena in multiple tissues, including in cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. TGF-β superfamily proteins therefore have prominent roles in wound healing, fibrosis, bone formation, and carcinogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating these signaling pathways are not fully understood. Here, we describe the regulation of bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling by Bat3 (also known as Scythe or BAG6). Bat3 overexpression in murine cell lines suppresses the activity of the Id1 promoter normally induced by BMP signaling. Conversely, Bat3 inactivation enhances the induction of direct BMP target genes, such as Id1, Smad6, and Smad7. Consequently, Bat3 deficiency accelerates the differentiation of primary osteoblasts into bone, with a concomitant increase in the bone differentiation markers Runx2, Osterix, and alkaline phosphatase. Using biochemical and cell biological analyses, we show that Bat3 inactivation sustains the C-terminal phosphorylation and nuclear localization of Smad1, 5, and 8 (Smad1/5/8), thereby enhancing biological responses to BMP treatment. At the mechanistic level, we show that Bat3 interacts with the nuclear phosphatase small C-terminal domain phosphatase (SCP) 2, which terminates BMP signaling by dephosphorylating Smad1/5/8. Notably, Bat3 enhances SCP2–Smad1 interaction only when the BMP signaling pathway is activated. Our results demonstrate that Bat3 is an important regulator of BMP signaling that functions by modulating SCP2–Smad interaction.     

Identification of Small Molecule Activators of BMP Signaling

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are morphogens that play a major role in regulating development and homeostasis. Although BMPs are used for the treatment of bone and kidney disorders, their clinical use is limited due to the supra-physiological doses required for therapeutic efficacy causing severe side effects. Because recombinant BMPs are expensive to produce, small molecule activators of BMP signaling would be a cost-effective alternative with the added benefit of being potentially more easily deliverable. Here, we report our efforts to identify small molecule activators of BMP signaling. We have developed a cell-based assay to monitor BMP signaling by stably transfecting a BMP-responsive human cervical carcinoma cell line (C33A) with a reporter construct in which the expression of luciferase is driven by a multimerized BMP-responsive element from the Id1 promoter. A BMP-responsive clone C33A-2D2 was used to screen a bioactive library containing ∼5,600 small molecules. We identified four small molecules of the family of flavonoids all of which induced luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner and ventralized zebrafish embryos. Two of the identified compounds induced Smad1, 5 phosphorylation (P-Smad), Id1 and Id2 expression in a dose-dependent manner demonstrating that our assays identified small molecule activators of BMP signaling.     

Regulation of Hex gene expression by a Smads-dependent signaling pathway

The homeobox gene Hex is expressed in multiple cell types during embryogenesis and is required for liver and monocyte development. Hex is expressed in the foregut region of late gastrula avian and mammalian embryos in a pattern that overlaps with expression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Here we investigate the relationship between BMP signaling and Hex gene expression. We find that Hex expression in avian anterior lateral endoderm is regulated by autocrine BMP signaling. Characterization of the mouse Hex gene promoter identified a 71-nucleotide BMP-responsive element (BRE) that is required for up-regulation of Hex by an activated BMP signaling pathway. The Hex BRE binds Smad4 and Smad1-Smad4 complexes in vitro, and in transfection assays, it is responsive to Smad1 and Smad4 but not to Smad2 and Smad4 or Smad3 and Smad4. The BRE contains two copies of a GCCGnCGC-like motif that in Drosophila is the binding site for Mad and Madea followed by two CAGAG boxes that are similar to sequences required for transforming growth factor-beta/activin responsiveness of several vertebrate genes. Mutation of the GC elements, but not the two CAGAG boxes, abolishes Smads responsiveness in the intact Hex promoter, whereas mutations in both the GC elements and CAGAG boxes show that they act cooperatively to confer Smads responsiveness to the Hex promoter. The Hex BRE can confer Smads responsiveness to a heterologous promoter, and in this context, both the GC-rich elements and the CAGAG boxes are required for Smads-dependent promoter activity. An element almost identical to the Hex BRE is present within the BMP-responsive Nkx2-5 gene promoter, suggesting that the Hex BRE represents a common response element for genes regulated by BMP signaling in the foregut region of the embryo.     

Synergy and antagonism between Notch and BMP receptor signaling pathways in endothelial cells

Notch and bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathways are important for cellular differentiation, and both have been implicated in vascular development. In many cases the two pathways act similarly, but antagonistic effects have also been reported. The underlying mechanisms and whether this is caused by an interplay between Notch and BMP signaling is unknown. Here we report that expression of the Notch target gene, Herp2, is synergistically induced upon activation of Notch and BMP receptor signaling pathways in endothelial cells. The synergy is mediated via RBP-Jkappa/CBF-1 and GC-rich palindromic sites in the Herp2 promoter, as well as via interactions between the Notch intracellular domain and Smad that are stabilized by p/CAF. Activated Notch and its downstream effector Herp2 were found to inhibit endothelial cell (EC) migration. In contrast, BMP via upregulation of Id1 expression has been reported to promote EC migration. Interestingly, Herp2 was found to antagonize BMP receptor/Id1-induced migration by inhibiting Id1 expression. Our results support the notion that Herp2 functions as a critical switch downstream of Notch and BMP receptor signaling pathways in ECs.     

BMP9 Is a Proliferative and Survival Factor for Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

TGF-β family members play a relevant role in tumorigenic processes, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but a specific implication of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) subfamily is still unknown. Although originally isolated from fetal liver, little is known about BMP9, a BMP family member, and its role in liver physiology and pathology. Our results show that BMP9 promotes growth in HCC cells, but not in immortalized human hepatocytes. In the liver cancer cell line HepG2, BMP9 triggers Smad1,5,8 phosphorylation and inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (Id1) expression up- regulation. Importantly, by using chemical inhibitors, ligand trap and gene silencing approaches we demonstrate that HepG2 cells autocrinely produce BMP9 that supports their proliferation and anchorage independent growth. Additionally, our data reveal that in HepG2 cells BMP9 triggers cell cycle progression, and strikingly, completely abolishes the increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells induced by long-term incubation in low serum. Collectively, our data unveil a dual role for BMP9, both promoting a proliferative response and exerting a remarkable anti-apoptotic function in HepG2 cells, which result in a robust BMP9 effect on liver cancer cell growth. Finally, we show that BMP9 expression is increased in 40% of human HCC tissues compared with normal human liver as revealed by immunohistochemistry analysis, suggesting that BMP9 signaling may be relevant during hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo. Our findings provide new clues for a better understanding of BMPs contribution, and in particular BMP9, in HCC pathogenesis that may result in the development of effective and targeted therapeutic interventions.