RUNX1 Isoforms Regulate RUNX1 and Target-Genes Differentially in Platelets-Megakaryocytes: Association with Clinical Cardiovascular Events.

BACKGROUND

Hematopoietic transcription factor RUNX1 is expressed from proximal P2 and distal P1 promoter to yield isoforms RUNX1 B and C, respectively. The roles of these isoforms in RUNX1 autoregulation and downstream-gene regulation in megakaryocytes and platelets are unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To understand the regulation of RUNX1 and its target genes by RUNX1 isoforms.

METHODS

We performed studies on RUNX1 isoforms in megakaryocytic HEL cells and HeLa cells (lack endogenous RUNX1), in platelets from 85 healthy volunteers administered aspirin or ticagrelor, and on the association of RUNX1 target genes with acute events in 587 patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

RESULTS

In chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase promoter assays, RUNX1 isoforms B and C bound and regulated P1 and P2 promoters. In HeLa cells RUNX1B decreased and RUNX1C increased P1 and P2 activities, respectively. In HEL cells, RUNX1B overexpression decreased RUNX1C and RUNX1A expression; RUNX1C increased RUNX1B and RUNX1A. RUNX1B and RUNX1C regulated target genes ( and others) differentially in HEL cells. In platelets RUNX1B transcripts (by RNAseq) correlated negatively with RUNX1C and RUNX1A; RUNX1C correlated positively with RUNX1A. RUNX1B correlated positively with , and others, and negatively with . In our previous studies, RUNX1C transcripts in whole blood were protective against acute events in CVD patients. We found that higher expression of RUNX1 targets and associated with acute events.

CONCLUSIONS

RUNX1 isoforms B and C autoregulate RUNX1 and regulate downstream genes in a differential manner and this associates with acute events in CVD.