Crosstalk between nuclear factor I-C and transforming growth factor-β1 signaling regulates odontoblast differentiation and homeostasis

PLoS One. 2011;6(12):e29160. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029160. Epub 2011 Dec 16.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling plays a key role in vertebrate development, homeostasis, and disease. Nuclear factor I-C (NFI-C) has been implicated in TGF-β1 signaling, extracellular matrix gene transcription, and tooth root development. However, the functional relationship between NFI-C and TGF-β1 signaling remains uncharacterized. The purpose of this study was to identify the molecular interactions between NFI-C and TGF-β1 signaling in mouse odontoblasts. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western analysis demonstrated that NFI-C expression levels were inversely proportional to levels of TGF-β1 signaling molecules during in vitro odontoblast differentiation. Western blot and immunofluorescence results showed that NFI-C was significantly degraded after TGF-β1 addition in odontoblasts, and the formation of the Smad3 complex was essential for NFI-C degradation. Additionally, ubiquitination assay results showed that Smurf1 and Smurf2 induced NFI-C degradation and polyubiquitination in a TGF-β1-dependent manner. Both kinase and in vitro binding assays revealed that the interaction between NFI-C and Smurf1/Smurf2 requires the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by TGF-β1. Moreover, degradation of NFI-C induced by TGF-β1 occurred generally in cell types other than odontoblasts in normal human breast epithelial cells. In contrast, NFI-C induced dephosphorylation of p-Smad2/3. These results show that crosstalk between NFI-C and TGF-β1 signaling regulates cell differentiation and homeostatic processes in odontoblasts, which might constitute a common cellular mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation* / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation* / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Homeostasis* / drug effects
  • Homeostasis* / genetics
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • NFI Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Odontoblasts / cytology*
  • Odontoblasts / drug effects
  • Odontoblasts / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Proteolysis / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction* / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction* / genetics
  • Smad2 Protein / metabolism
  • Smad3 Protein / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / pharmacology
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination / drug effects

Substances

  • NFI Transcription Factors
  • Smad2 Protein
  • Smad3 Protein
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Smurf1 protein, mouse
  • Smurf2 protein, mouse
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases