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Maf genes are involved in multiple stress response in human
1Department of Medicine, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, 3755 Cote Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1E2, Canada.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|February 13, 2001
Summary
MafG is a human stress-response gene. Multiple stressors, including heavy metals, induce mafG mRNA, suggesting Maf proteins are crucial for cellular stress response.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Stress Response
Background:
- The Maf protein family comprises eight transcription factors with a basic-leucine zipper (bZIP) domain.
- Previous studies indicated mafG/adapt66 mRNA induction by oxidative stress in hamster cells.
- MafG is known to be induced by stress activating the antioxidant/electrophile response element (ARE/EpRE).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of various stressors on maf mRNA induction in human cells.
- To determine if mafG is a general human stress-response gene.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of human cells to various stressors including cadmium, zinc, arsenite, heat shock, and calcium elevation.
- Quantification of maf mRNA levels using RNA analysis techniques.
Main Results:
- Cadmium, zinc, and arsenite significantly induced mafG RNA levels within two hours, peaking at five hours.
- Induction was observed for multiple maf family transcripts, not just mafG.
- Heat shock caused modest mafG mRNA induction, while calcium elevation did not.
Conclusions:
- MafG is a human stress-response gene activated by diverse stressors.
- Several Maf (proto-)oncogene family members are integral to the cellular stress response pathway.
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