The opposing transcriptional functions of Sin3a and c-Myc are required to maintain tissue homeostasis

Nat Cell Biol. 2011 Nov 20;13(12):1395-405. doi: 10.1038/ncb2385.

Abstract

How the proto-oncogene c-Myc balances the processes of stem-cell self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation in adult tissues is largely unknown. We explored c-Myc's transcriptional roles at the epidermal differentiation complex, a locus essential for skin maturation. Binding of c-Myc can simultaneously recruit (Klf4, Ovol-1) and displace (Cebpa, Mxi1 and Sin3a) specific sets of differentiation-specific transcriptional regulators to epidermal differentiation complex genes. We found that Sin3a causes deacetylation of c-Myc protein to directly repress c-Myc activity. In the absence of Sin3a, genomic recruitment of c-Myc to the epidermal differentiation complex is enhanced, and re-activation of c-Myc-target genes drives aberrant epidermal proliferation and differentiation. Simultaneous deletion of c-Myc and Sin3a reverts the skin phenotype to normal. Our results identify how the balance of two transcriptional key regulators can maintain tissue homeostasis through a negative feedback loop.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Epidermal Cells
  • Epidermis / physiology*
  • Feedback, Physiological / physiology*
  • Female
  • Homeostasis / genetics*
  • Keratinocytes / cytology
  • Keratinocytes / physiology*
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology*
  • Sin3 Histone Deacetylase and Corepressor Complex
  • Transcription, Genetic / physiology*

Substances

  • Klf4 protein, mouse
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Myc protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Repressor Proteins
  • SIN3A transcription factor
  • Sin3 Histone Deacetylase and Corepressor Complex