The transcription factor E2F-1 modulates TGF-beta1 RNA expression in glial cells.

The cell type specificity of the regulation of expression of the potent growth inhibitory cytokine transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), prompted our analyses of the regulation of TGF-beta1 gene expression in glial cells by viral and cellular oncoproteins. We have shown that SV40 T-antigen diminished TGF-beta1 expression in glial cells and this repression was dependent on the ability of T-antigen to interact with the tumor suppressor protein, pRb, and two structurally related proteins, p107 and p130. The cellular transcription factor E2F-1, which is a downstream effector of T-antigen, was unable to influence expression from the TGF-beta1 promoter by itself. Interestingly, E2F-1 could overcome viral T-antigen-mediated repression of the TGF-beta1 promoter, suggesting potential feedback loop between TGF-beta and E2F in virally transformed glial cells. Using deletion analyses, we have mapped two E2F-1-responsive regions on the TGF-beta1 promoter: a T-antigen-dependent negative regulatory sequence (TdNRS) between -323 and -175, and a T-antigen-independent positive regulatory sequence (TiPRS) between -34 and +10 on the TGF-beta1 promoter. Further examination of TiPRS revealed the presence of a functional E2F binding site. Interestingly, the amino terminus of E2F-1 was required for its activation of TGF-beta1 expression, as mutations in that domain abolished the ability of E2F-1 to increase TGF-beta1 expression. These data suggest that yet-uncharacterized interaction between the amino terminus of E2F-1 and cellular proteins regulates TGF-beta1 expression. The mechanism for E2F-1-mediated T-antigen-dependent regulation of TGF-beta1 expression from TdNRS awaits further characterization.