Retinoblastoma protein acts as Pax 8 transcriptional coactivator

Control of cell proliferation and differentiation by the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) depends on its interactions with key cellular substrates. Available data indicate that pRb and the transcription factor Pax 8 play a crucial role in the differentiation of thyroid follicular cells. In this study, we show that pRb takes part in the complex assembled on the thyroperoxidase gene promoter acting as a transcriptional coactivator of Pax 8. Accordingly, pRb interacts with and potentiates Pax 8 transcriptional activity. In addition, we show that the downregulation of pRb gene expression, in thyrocytes, through RNA interference results in a reduction of the thyroperoxidase gene promoter activity mediated by the Pax 8-binding site. In agreement with these results and with the ability of the adenoviral protein E1A to bind pRb, we show that E1A downregulates Pax 8 activity and that such inhibition requires the E1A-Rb interaction. Furthermore, we show that the Pax 8/pRb synergy plays a role on the sodium/iodide symporter gene expression as well.