Activating transcription factor 6-dependent sestrin 2 induction ameliorates ER stress-mediated liver injury

Publication date: Available online 19 April 2017 Source:Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research Author(s): Kyung Hwan Jegal, Sang Mi Park, Sam Seok Cho, Sung Hui Byun, Sae Kwang Ku, Sang Chan Kim, Sung Hwan Ki, Il Je Cho Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is characterized by an accumulation of misfolded proteins, and ER stress reduction is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanisms that protect cells from ER stress are not completely understood. The present study investigated the role of sestrin 2 (SESN2) on ER stress and sought to elucidate the mechanism responsible for the hepatoprotective effect of SESN2 in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with tunicamycin (Tm) increased SESN2 protein and mRNA levels and reporter gene activity. Activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) bound to unfolded protein response elements of SESN2 promoter, transactivated SESN2, and increased SESN2 protein expression. In addition, dominant negative mutant of ATF6α and siRNA against ATF6α blocked the ER stress-mediated SESN2 induction, whereas chemical inhibition of PERK or IRE1 did not affect SESN2 induction by Tm. Ectopic expression of SESN2 in HepG2 cells inhibited CHOP and GRP78 expressions by Tm. Moreover, SESN2 decreased the phosphorylations of JNK and p38 and PARP cleavage, and blocked the cytotoxic effect of excessive ER stress. In a Tm-induced liver injury model, adenoviral delivery of SESN2 in mice decreased serum ALT, AST and...
Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) Molecular Cell Research - Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research