CDX2 upregulates SLC26A3 gene expression in intestinal epithelial cells

SLC26A3 [downregulated in adenoma (DRA)] plays a key role in mammalian intestinal NaCl absorption, in that it mediates apical membrane Cl–/HCO3– exchange. DRA function and expression are significantly decreased in diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease. DRA is also considered to be a marker of cellular differentiation and is predominantly expressed in differentiated epithelial cells. Caudal-type homeobox protein-2 (CDX2) is known to regulate genes involved in intestinal epithelial differentiation and proliferation. Reduced expression of both DRA and CDX2 in intestinal inflammation prompted us to study whether the DRA gene is directly regulated by CDX2. Our initial studies utilizing CDX2 knockout (CDX2fV/fV;Cre+) mice showed a marked reduction in DRA mRNA and protein levels in proximal and distal colon. In silico analysis of the DRA promoter showed two consensus sites for CDX2 binding. Therefore, we utilized Caco-2 cells as an in vitro model to examine if DRA is a direct target of CDX2 regulation. siRNA-mediated silencing of CDX2 in Caco-2 cells resulted in a marked (~50%) decrease in DRA mRNA and protein levels, whereas ectopic overexpression of CDX2 upregulated DRA expression and also stimulated DRA promoter activity, suggesting transcriptional regulation. Electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated direct binding of CDX2 to one of the two putative CDX2 binding sites in the DRA promoter (+645/+663). In summary...
Source: AJP: Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research