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Analysis of Cell Cycle Position in Mammalian Cells
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Interaction between YY1 and the retinoblastoma protein. Regulation of cell cycle progression in differentiated cells

V Petkova1, M J Romanowski, I Sulijoadikusumo

  • 1Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachuttes 02215, USA.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|December 19, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Transcription factor YY1 (yin yang 1) promotes DNA synthesis in smooth muscle cells. Its interaction with the retinoblastoma protein regulates this cell cycle progression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cardiovascular Research

Background:

  • The transcription factor YY1 (yin yang 1) plays a role in cellular processes.
  • The retinoblastoma protein (Rb) is a key regulator of the cell cycle.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of YY1 in DNA synthesis in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells.
  • To determine the regulatory mechanism of YY1-mediated DNA synthesis, focusing on its interaction with the retinoblastoma protein.

Main Methods:

  • Overexpression of YY1 and retinoblastoma protein in primary human coronary artery smooth muscle cells.
  • Analysis of cell cycle progression and DNA synthesis.
  • In vitro interaction studies using recombinant proteins.

Main Results:

  • YY1 overexpression activated DNA synthesis in differentiated smooth muscle cells.
  • Co-overexpression of retinoblastoma protein with YY1 inhibited this activation.
  • YY1 and retinoblastoma protein formed a cell cycle-regulated complex, dissociating during S phase.
  • Recombinant retinoblastoma protein directly inhibited YY1's DNA binding and transcription initiation function in vitro.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated nuclear YY1 levels promote S phase entry in differentiated cells.
  • The interaction between YY1 and the retinoblastoma protein is a key regulatory mechanism controlling YY1's function in cell cycle progression.

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