Epidemiological and animal studies show that deleterious maternal environments predispose aging offspring to metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes. Young progenies in a rat model of maternal low-protein (LP) diet are normoglycemic despite collapsed insulin secretion. However, without further worsening of the insulin secretion defect, glucose homeostasis deteriorates in aging LP descendants. Here we report that normoglycemic and insulinopenic 3-month-old LP progeny shows increased body temperature and energy dissipation in association with enhanced brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity. In addition, it is protected against a cold challenge and high-fat diet (HFD)–induced obesity with associated insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Surgical BAT ablation in 3-month-old LP offspring normalizes body temperature and causes postprandial hyperglycemia. At 10 months, BAT activity declines in LP progeny with the appearance of reduced protection to HFD-induced obesity; at 18 months, LP progeny displays a BAT activity comparable to control offspring and insulin resistance and hyperglycemia occur. Together our findings identify BAT as a decisive physiological determinant of the onset of metabolic dysregulation in offspring predisposed to altered β-cell function and hyperglycemia and place it as a critical regulator of fetal programming of adult metabolic disease.

RNA activation (RNAa) is a gene regulation process in which promoter-targeted short double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) or microRNAs (miRs) induce target gene expression at the transcriptional level. Here, we investigate the presence of cryptic promoter transcripts within the VEGF promoter. Single-strand sense and antisense noncoding vascular endothelial growth factor (NcVEGF) promoter transcripts are identified, and their respective expression is studied in cells transfected with a VEGF promoter targeted dsRNA, namely, dsVEGF706, in hypoxic cells and in human malignant lung tissues. Interestingly, in dsVEGF706-transfected, as well as in hypoxic cells, NcVEGF expression levels increase coordinately with coding VEGF expression. Ago2 interaction with both sense and antisense NcVEGFs is increased in hypoxic cells, whereas in dsVEGF706-transfected cells, Ago2 and the antisense strand of the dsRNA interact specifically with the sense NcVEGF transcript. Furthermore, both dsVEGF706 and ectopic NcVEGF transcripts are able to activate the VEGF promoter endogenously present or in a reporter construct. Finally, using small interfering RNA targeting Ago2, we show that RNAa plays a role in the maintenance of increased VEGF and NcVEGF expression after hypoxia. Given the central role of VEGF in major human diseases, including cancer, this novel molecular mechanism is poised to reveal promising possibilities for therapeutic interventions.

INTRODUCTION:The renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and particularly angiotensin II, is involved in the control of energy balance, glucose homeostasis and kidney functions. The integrated impact of the RAS on glucose homeostasis is still a matter of debate.MATERIALS AND METHODS:We used a model of constitutive RAS activation in double transgenic mice (dTGM) carrying both human angiotensinogen and human renin genes. We evaluated energy balance, measured renal functions, performed glucose and insulin tolerance tests, and used ramipril to inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme.RESULTS:dTGM had a lower physical activity and an increased food intake without change in body weight. Renal impairment was characterized by low-grade albuminuria. High urinary output secondary to polydipsia was associated with proximal tubule dysfunction. Compared to controls, dTGM had a lower hyperglycemia induced by an intraperitoneal glucose administration. This decrease was not due to changes in insulin sensitivity and/or secretion. dTGM had an increased creatinine production and a lower epididymal fat mass. Acute inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme with ramipril did not suppress this improved glucose tolerance profile.CONCLUSION:Chronic RAS activation is not sufficient to cause insulin resistance in mice. Moreover, adaptation to constitutive RAS activation in mice results in a better glucose tolerance.

Une activité physique régulière permet de réduire l'incidence de l'obésité et des maladies métaboliques associées comme le diabète de type 2, en provoquant un remodelage oxydatif du muscle squelettique. Nous avons montré que ce type de remodelage pouvait être induit chez la souris par l'activation ou la surexpression « muscle spécifique » de PPARβ (Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor beta). L'exercice modifie aussi la composition d'une protéine kinase trimérique αβγ, principal senseur des niveaux d'énergie dans la cellule : l'AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). En effet, l'expression de sa sous-unité « muscle spécifique » γ3 (γ3AMPK) est fortement diminuée chez des individus entraînés. Notre objectif a été d'étudier les conséquences de l'activation de PPARβ sur la composition de l'AMPK. Les niveaux d'expression des sous-unités de l'AMPK ont été analysés par PCR quantitative et western blot. Des souris (C57Bl6) et des cellules (C2C12) ont été traitées ou non avec le GW0742 (activateur spécifique de PPARβ). Les effets de la surexpression musculaire de PPARβ, de l'entraînement et du jeûne, ont également été analysés. Nos résultats montrent une diminution de l'expression de γ3AMPK dans les situations physiologiques nécessitant une augmentation de l'oxydation des acides gras dans le muscle squelettique. Cette diminution est proportionnelle aux niveaux d'activation de PPARβ. L'activation pharmacologique de PPARβ induit, in vivo et in cellulo, une diminution (−50%) rapide (2 h) et soutenue (48 h) de l'expression de γ3AMPK. Cette diminution est retrouvée dans les muscles de souris transgéniques surexprimant PPARβ. Enfin, le GW0742 réprime de façon dose dépendante l'activité du promoteur de γ3AMPK. Notre étude met en évidence une nouvelle interaction entre PPARβ et l'AMPK. Les modifications rapides de la composition de l'AMPK induites par PPARβ sont un événement précoce qui permettraient une flexibilité métabolique du muscle et l'amélioration des paramètres biologiques des diabétiques de type 2.

AMP-activated protein kinases (AMPK) are heterotrimeric, αβγ, serine/threonine kinases. The γ3-AMPK subunit is particularly interesting in muscle physiology because 1) it is specifically expressed in skeletal muscle, 2) α2β2γ3 is the AMPK heterotrimer activated during exercise in humans, and 3) it is down-regulated in humans after a training period. However, mechanisms underlying this decrease of γ3-AMPK expression remained unknown. We investigated whether the expression of AMPK subunits and particularly that of γ3-AMPK are regulated by the PPARβ pathway. We report that PPARβ activation with GW0742 induces a rapid (2 h) and sustained down-regulation of γ3-AMPK expression both in mouse skeletal muscles and in culture myotubes. Concomitantly, phosphorylation levels of both AMPK and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase are rapidly modified. The γ3-AMPK down-regulation is also observed in muscles from young and adult transgenic mice with muscle-specific overexpression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β (PPARβ). We showed that γ3-AMPK down-regulation is a rapid physiological muscle response observed in mouse after running exercise or fasting, two situations leading to PPARβ activation. Finally, using C2C12, we demonstrated that dose and time-dependent down-regulation of γ3-AMPK expression upon GW0742 treatment, is due to decrease γ3-AMPK promoter activity.

During prophase I of male meiosis, the sex chromosomes form a compact structure called XY body that associates with the nuclear membrane of pachytene spermatocytes. Ret Finger Protein is a transcriptional repressor, able to interact with both nuclear matrix-associated proteins and double-stranded DNA. We report the precise and unique localization of Ret Finger Protein in pachytene spermatocytes, in which Ret Finger Protein takes place of lamin B1, between the XY body and the inner nuclear membrane. This localization of Ret Finger Protein does not seem to be associated with O-glycosylation or sumoylation. In addition, we demonstrate that Ret Finger Protein contains an E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. These observations lead to an attractive hypothesis in which Ret Finger Protein would be involved in the positioning and the attachment of XY body to the nuclear lamina of pachytene spermatocytes.

We reported recently that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β (PPARβ) activation promotes a calcineurin-dependent exercise-like remodelling characterised by increased numbers of oxidative fibres and capillaries. As physical exercise also induces myonuclear accretion, we investigated whether PPARβ activation alters myonuclear density. Transgenic muscle-specific PPARβ over-expression induced 14% increase of myonuclear density. Pharmacological PPARβ activation promoted rapid and massive myonuclear accretion (20% increase after 48 h), which is dependent upon calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells signalling pathway. In vivo bromodeoxyuridine labelling and proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunodetection revealed that PPARβ activation did not promote cell proliferation, suggesting that the PPARβ-promoted myonuclear accretion involves fusion of pre-existing muscle precursor cells to myofibres rather than cell division. Finally, we showed that in skeletal muscle, ageing led to a down-regulation of PPARβ accompanied by decrease of both oxidative fibre number and myonuclear density. PPARβ pharmacological activation counteracts, at least in part, the ageing-driven muscle remodelling.

Aims Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors. PPAR beta agonists were suggested as potential drugs for the treatment of metabolic syndrome, but effects of PPAR beta activation on cardiac growth and vascularization are unknown. Thus, we investigated the consequences of pharmacological PPAR beta activation on the heart and the underlying molecular mechanisms.Methods and results Male C57/Bl6 mice were injected with the specific PPAR beta agonists GW0742 or GW501516, or vehicle. Cardiomyocyte size and vascularisation were determined at different time points. Expression differences were investigated by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. In addition, the effects of PPAR beta stimulation were compared with hearts of mice undergoing long-term voluntary exercise or pharmacological PPAR alpha activation. Five hours after GW0742 injection, we detected an enhanced angiogenesis compared with vehicle-injected controls. After 24 h, the heart-to-body weight ratios were higher in mice injected with either GW0742 or GW501516 vs. controls. The increased heart size was due to cardiomyocyte enlargement. No signs of pathological cardiac hypertrophy (i.e. apoptosis, fibrosis, or deteriorated cardiac function) could be detected. The effects are mediated via calcineurin A (CnA) activation as: (i) CnA was upregulated, (ii) GW0742 administration or co-transfection of PPAR beta significantly stimulated the activity of the CnA promoter, (iii) PPAR beta protein bound directly to the CnA promoter, (iv) the CnA target genes NFATc3, Hif-1 alpha, and Cdk 9 were upregulated in response to PPAR beta stimulation, and (v) the inhibition of CnA activity by cyclosporine A abolished the hypertrophic and angiogenic responses to PPAR beta stimulation.Conclusion Our data suggest PPAR beta pharmacological activation as a novel approach to increase cardiac vascularization and cardiac muscle mass.

We identified a new member of the phosducin-like (PhLP) protein family that is predominantly, if not exclusively, expressed in male and female germ cells. In situ analysis on testis sections and analysis of purified spermatogenic cell fractions evidenced a stage-specific expression with high levels of RNA and protein in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Three mRNA species were detected, which correspond to different polyadenylation sites and vary in abundance during germ cell maturation. Only low levels of RNA were detected in whole ovary extracts, but expression of the protein became detectable within hours after hormonal induction of superovulation. The gene (Mgcphlp) is located on mouse chromosome 5 in the immediate vicinity of the Clock locus. The predicted amino acid sequence shows extensive similarities not only with the known mammalian PhLP proteins but also with the yeast phosducin-like protein Plp2, required for the production and growth of haploid cells. Expression of the murine protein was found to complement the defect of a yeast plp2 Delta mutant. We propose that MgcPhLP/Plp2 proteins exert a function in germ cell maturation that is conserved from yeast to mammals.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 disaggregates the nuclear domain 10 (ND10) nuclear structures and disperses its organizing promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML). An earlier report showed that ectopic overexpression of PML precludes the disaggregation of ND10 but has no effect on viral replication. PML has been reported to mediate the effects of interferon (IFN) and viral mutants lacking ICP0 (Deltaalpha0 mutants). To test the hypothesis that HSV disaggregates ND10 structures and disperses PML to preclude IFN-mediated antiviral effects, we tested the accumulation of viral proteins and virus yields from murine PML+/+ and PML-/- cells mock treated or exposed to IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, or both and infected with the wild-type or Deltaalpha0 mutant virus. We report the following results. (i) The levels of growth of wild-type and mutant viruses and of accumulation of viral proteins were not significantly different in untreated PML+/+ and PML-/- cells. (ii) Major effects of IFN-alpha and -gamma were observed in PML+/+ cells infected with the Deltaalpha0 mutant virus, and more minor effects were observed in cells infected with the wild-type virus. The effects of the IFNs on either wild-type or the mutant virus in PML-/- cells were minimal. (iii) The mixture of IFN-alpha and -gamma was more effective than either IFN alone, but again, the effect was more drastic in PML+/+ cells than in PML-/- cells. We concluded that the anti-HSV state induced by exogenous IFN is mediated by PML and that the virus targets the ND10 structures and disseminates PML in order to preclude the establishment of the antiviral state induced by IFNs.

ABSTRACT In mouse Sertoli cells, transcription of the Inha gene encoding the α subunit of inhibin, which acts locally as a tumor suppressor, is down-regulated in tumors and in normal cells during aging. Previous studies suggested that regulation of Inha transcription involves the binding of a protein(s) to a repeat of the GGGGC motif in the promoter. Expression screening identified a cDNA encoding a protein that binds this sequence. Of the RING-H2 family, it is the mouse homologue of a human protein of unknown function, RNF6. The mouse gene, Rnf6, is predominantly expressed in two interacting cell types of the testis, Sertoli cells and pachytene spermatocytes. In Sertoli cells, it colocalizes with the PML and Daxx proteins in punctate nuclear bodies. In transient and stable transfectants, Rnf6 expression from a heterologous promoter increased the expression of reporter genes driven by the Inha promoter. In a Sertoli tumor cell line in which expression of both Inha and Rnf6 was reduced, reexpression of the latter restored the level of Inha while, concomitantly, the cells reverted to normal growth control in culture.

Infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) of herpes simplex virus 1, a multifunctional ring finger protein, enhances the expression of genes introduced into cells by infection or transfection, interacts with numerous cellular and viral proteins, and is associated with the degradation of several cellular proteins. Sequences encoded by exon 2 of ICP0 (residues 20-241) bind the UbcH3 (cdc34) ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, and its carboxy terminus expresses a ubiquitin ligase activity demonstrable by polyubiquitylation of cdc34 in vitro. We report that: (i) The physical interaction of cdc34 and ICP0 leads to its degradation. Thus, substitution of ICP0 aspartate 199 with alanine attenuates the degradation of cdc34 and its binding to the ICP0 ring finger domain. (ii) Substitution of residue 620 reported to abolish the interaction with a ubiquitin-specific protease has no effect on the function of ubiquitin ligase. (iii) ICP0 contains an additional distinct E3 ligase activity specific for the UbcH5a- and UbcH6 E2-conjugating enzymes mapping to the ring finger domain. This is, to our knowledge, the first identification of a viral protein with at least two physically separated E3 ligase activities with different E2 specificities. The results suggest that each activity may target different proteins.

ABSTRACTA key early event in the replication of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is the localization of infected-cell protein no. 0 (ICP0) in nuclear structures knows as ND10 or promyelocytic leukemia oncogenic domains (PODs). This is followed by dispersal of ND10 constituents such as the promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML), CREB-binding protein (CBP), and Daxx. Numerous experiments have shown that this dispersal is mediated by ICP0. PML is thought to be the organizing structural component of ND10. To determine whether the virus targets PML because it is inimical to viral replication, telomerase-immortalized human foreskin fibroblasts and HEp-2 cells were transduced with wild-type baculovirus or a baculovirus expressing theMr69,000 form of PML. The transduced cultures were examined for expression and localization of PML in mock-infected and HSV-1-infected cells. The results obtained from studies of cells overexpressing PML were as follows. (i) Transduced cells accumulate large amounts of unmodified and SUMO-I-modified PML. (ii) Mock-infected cells exhibited enlarged ND10 structures containing CBP and Daxx in addition to PML. (iii) In infected cells, ICP0 colocalized with PML in ND10 early in infection, but the two proteins did not overlap or were juxtaposed in orderly structures. (iv) The enlarged ND10 structures remained intact at least until 12 h after infection and retained CBP and Daxx in addition to PML. (v) Overexpression of PML had no effect on the accumulation of viral proteins representative of α, β, or γ groups and had no effect on the accumulation of infectious virus in cells infected with wild-type virus or a mutant (R7910) from which the α0 genes had been deleted. These results indicate the following: (i) PML overexpressed in transduced cells cannot be differentiated from endogenous PML with respect to sumoylation and localization in ND10 structures. (ii) PML does not affect viral replication or the changes in the localization of ICP0 through infection. (iii) Disaggregation of ND10 structures is not an obligatory event essential for viral replication.

ABSTRACT Earlier studies have shown that wild-type infected-cell protein 0 (ICP0), a key herpes simplex virus regulatory protein, translocates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm of human embryonic lung (HEL) fibroblasts within several hours after infection (Y. Kawaguchi, R. Bruni, and B. Roizman, J. Virol. 71:1019–1024, 1997). Translocation of ICP0 was also observed in cells infected with the d 120 mutant, in which both copies of the gene encoding ICP4, the major regulatory protein, had been deleted (V. Galvan, R. Brandimarti, J. Munger, and B. Roizman, J. Virol. 74:1931–1938, 2000). Furthermore, a mutant (R7914) carrying the D199A substitution in ICP0 does not bind or stabilize cyclin D3 and is retained in the nucleus (C. Van Sant, P. Lopez, S. J. Advani, and B. Roizman, J. Virol. 75:1888–1898, 2001). Studies designed to elucidate the requirements for the translocation of ICP0 between cellular compartments revealed the following. (i) Translocation of ICP0 to the cytoplasm in productive infection maps to the D199 amino acid, inasmuch as wild-type ICP0 delivered in trans to cells infected with an ICP0 null mutant was translocated to the cytoplasm whereas the D199A-substituted mutant ICP0 was not. (ii) Translocation of wild-type ICP0 requires a function expressed late in infection, inasmuch as phosphonoacetate blocked the translocation of ICP0 in wild-type virus-infected cells but not in d 120 mutant-infected cells. Moreover, whereas in d 120 mutant-infected cells ICP0 was translocated rapidly from the cytoplasm to the nucleus at approximately 5 h after infection, the translocation of ICP0 in wild-type virus-infected cells extended from 5 to at least 9 h after infection. (iii) In wild-type virus-infected cells, the MG132 proteasomal inhibitor blocked the translocation of ICP0 to the cytoplasm early in infection, but when added late in infection, it caused ICP0 to be relocated back to the nucleus from the cytoplasm. (iv) MG132 blocked the translocation of ICP0 in d 120 mutant-infected cells early in infection but had no effect on the ICP0 aggregated in vesicle-like structures late in infection. However, in d 120 mutant-infected cells treated with MG132 at late times, proteasomes formed a shell-like structure around the aggregated ICP0. These structures were not seen in wild-type virus or R7914 mutant-infected cells. The results indicate the following. (i) In the absence of β or γ protein synthesis, ICP0 dynamically associates with proteasomes and is translocated to the cytoplasm. (ii) In cells productively infected beyond α gene expression, ICP0 is retained in the nucleus until after the onset of viral DNA synthesis and the synthesis of γ 2 proteins. (iii) Late in infection, ICP0 is actively sequestered in the cytoplasm by a process mediated by proteasomes, inasmuch as interference with proteasomal function causes rapid relocation of ICP0 to the nucleus.

The infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) of herpes simplex virus 1, a promiscuous transactivator shown to enhance the expression of genes introduced into cells by infection or transfection, interacts with numerous cellular proteins and has been linked to the disruption of ND10 and degradation of several proteins. ICP0 contains a RING finger domain characteristic of a class of E3 ubiquitin ligases. We report that: (i) in infected cells, ICP0 interacts dynamically with proteasomes and is bound to proteasomes in the presence of the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Also in infected cells, cdc34, a polyubiquitinated E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, exhibits increased ICP0-dependent dynamic interaction with proteasomes. (ii) In an in vitro substrate-independent ubiquitination system, the RING finger domain encoded by exon 2 of ICP0 binds cdc34, whereas the carboxyl-terminal domain of ICP0 functions as an E3 ligase independent of the RING finger domain. The results indicate that ICP0 can act as a unimolecular E3 ubiquitin ligase and that it promotes ubiquitin-protein ligation and binds the 82 cdc34. It differs from other unimolecular E3 ligases in that the domain containing the RING finger binds E2, whereas the ligase activity maps to a different domain of the protein. The results also suggest that ICP0 shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm as a function of its dynamic interactions with proteasomes.

Analysis of complex signalisation networks involving distinct cell types is required to understand most developmental processes. Differentiation of male germ cells in adult mammals involves such a cross-talk between Sertoli cells, the somatic component which supports and controls germinal differentiation, and germ cells at their successive maturation stages. We developed a gene trapping strategy to identify genes, which, in Sertoli cells, are either up- or down-regulated by signals emitted by the germinal component. A library of approximately 2,000 clones was constituted from colonies independently selected from the Sertoli line 15P-1 by growth in drug-containing medium after random integration of a promoter-less (beta)geo transgene (neo(r)-lacZ fusion), which will be expressed as a fusion transcript from a 'trapped' cellular promoter, different in each clone. A first screen conducted on 700 events identified six clones in which beta-galactosidase activity was increased and one in which it was repressed upon addition of germ cells. The targeted loci were identified by cloning and sequencing the genomic region 5' of the insert. One of them was identified as the gene encoding Fra1, a component of the AP1 transcription regulatory complex. Accumulation of Fra1 mRNA was induced, both in 15P-1 and in freshly explanted Sertoli cells, by addition of either round spermatids or nerve growth factor (NGF). The effect of NGF was mediated by the TrkA receptor and the ERK1-ERK2 kinase kinase pathway. Fos and Fra1 transcription were induced within the first hour after addition of the neurotrophin, but, unlike what is observed after serum induction in the same cells, a second wave of transcription of Fra1, but not of Fos, started 16 hours later and peaked at higher levels at about 20 hours. These results suggest that AP1 activation may be an important relay in the Sertoli-germ cell cross-talk, and validate the gene trapping approach as a tool for the identification of target genes in cell culture systems.

ABSTRACT Earlier reports from this laboratory have shown that the promiscuous transactivator infected-cell protein 0 (ICP0) binds and stabilizes cyclin D3, that the binding site maps to aspartic acid 199 (D199), and that replacement of D199 with alanine abolishes binding and reduces the capacity of the mutant virus to replicate in quiescent cells or to cause mortality in mice infected by a peripheral site. The objective of this report was to investigate the role of cyclin D3 in the biology of ICP0. We report the following results. (i) Wild-type ICP0 activates cyclin D-dependent kinase 4 (cdk4) and stabilizes cyclin D1 although ICP0 does not interact with this cyclin. (ii) The D199A mutant virus (R7914) does not activate cdk4 or stabilize cyclin D1, and neither the wild-type nor the mutant virus activates cdk2. (iii) Early in infection of human embryonic lung (HEL) fibroblasts both wild-type and D199A mutant ICP0s colocalize with PML, and in these cells the ND10 nuclear structures are dispersed. Whereas wild-type ICP0 is transported to the cytoplasm between 3 and 9 h. after infection, ICPO containing the D199A substitution remains quantitatively in the nucleus. (iv) To examine the interaction of ICP0 with cyclin D3, we used a previously described mutant carrying a wild-type ICP0 but expressing cyclin D3 (R7801) and in addition constructed a virus (R7916) that was identical except that it carried the D199A-substituted ICP0. Early in infection with R7801, ICP0 colocalized with cyclin D3 in structures similar to those containing PML. At 3 h after infection, ICP0 was translocated to the cytoplasm whereas cyclin D3 remained in the nucleus. The translocation of ICP0 to the cytoplasm was accelerated in cells expressing cyclin D3 compared with that of ICP0 expressed by wild-type virus. In contrast, ICP0 carrying the D199A substitution remained in the nucleus and did not colocalize with cyclin D3. These studies suggest the following conclusions. (i) ICP0 brings to the vicinity of ND10 cyclin D3 and, in consequence, an activated cdk4. The metabolic events occurring at or near that structure and involving cyclin D3 cause the translocation of ICP0 to the cytoplasm. (ii) In the absence of the cyclin D3 binding site in ICP0, cyclin D3 is not brought to ND10, cyclin D is not stabilized, and the function responsible for the translocation of ICP0 is not expressed, and in quiescent HEL fibroblasts the yields of virus are reduced.

Dans les souris transgeniques, pylt, construites au laboratoire, l'expression de la proteine immortalisante grand t du virus polyome est placee sous le controle des regions regulatrices virales. Le transgene independamment du site d'integration est exprime dans les testicules (cellule de sertoli et cellules germinales). Ces souris sont asymptomatiques et fertiles durant la majeur partie de leur vie, cependant a partir de l'age de 14 mois, tous les males developpent des tumeurs de sertoli bilaterales. Le developpement tardif des tumeurs indique que plusieurs evenements sont necessaires a la progression tumorale et la stricte correlation entre l'age et l'apparition de la tumeur suggere que certains de ces evenements pourraient etre lie au vieillissement. L'utilisation de ce modele experimental murin, ou le developpement de tumeurs peut etre suivi in vivo et ou il est d'autre part possible de travailler sur des lignees cellulaires tumorales etablies en culture (45t-1), a permis de proposer que la deregulation transcriptionnelle de sous unite alpha de l'inhibine (-inhibine) soit un des evenements additionnels participant a la progression tumorale des souris pylt. En effet, les tumeurs et les lignees montrent une production tres diminuee d'-inhibine et la re-expression forcee dans des clones transfectes de la lignee 45t-1, restaure un controle de croissance strict (arret a confluence). Ce resultat confirme dans un type cellulaire differencie, la cellule de sertoli du testicule, la fonction de suppresseur de tumeur qui avait ete suggeree pour ce gene. Chez l'animal, l'accumulation de l'arnm de l'-inhibine est aussi reduite dans les testicules ou la proteine pylt est exprimee et d'autre part, avec l'age, la production d'-inhibine diminue chez la souris male, atteignant ainsi au cours du vieillissement un niveau critique dans les lignees transgeniques. La diminution du niveau de l'arnm a ete expliquee par un effet represseur de la proteine pylt sur le promoteur de l'-inhibine, mis en evidence par des experiences de cotransfection. La presence de similarites de sequences entre le promoteur viral et le promoteur de la l'-inhibine contenant des boites gpuggc, permet de proposer un modele de competition entre un regulateur transcriptionnel de la cellule de sertoli et la proteine grand t. Cette hypothese a l'avantage d'expliquer a la fois la repression de l'activite du promoteur de l'inhibine due a l'action de pylt et l'activation du promoteur viral dans le testicule des souris transgeniques pylt. De plus, sur cette region d'homologie se fixent des proteines specifiques du testicule et la mutation des boites gpuggc diminue fortement l'activite basale du promoteur de l'-inhibine a tel point qu'il est difficile de dire si ce promoteur mute est devenu insensible a l'effet negatif de grand t. Le criblage d'une banque d'expression de testicule, avec cette region d'homologie a permis d'isoler plusieurs genes. Quatre de ces genes ont ete caracterises et un d'entre eux semble etre un bon candidat dans ce modele de competition. Ce gene est exprime dans la cellule de sertoli et la proteine correspondante est capable de se fixer specifiquement sur les sites gpuggc du promoteur de l'inhibine. En effet, le complexe adn/proteine n'est pas deplace par un competiteur ou ces sites sont mutes. Enfin il semble que cette proteine est capable de reguler positivement l'activite du promoteur de l'-inhibine. Cette proteine contient un domaine coil-coiled, une sequence a doigt de zinc a son extremite carboxy terminale et pourrait etre l'homologue murin du gene rnf6 recemment isole chez l'homme (macdonald et al. , 1999).