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A Fluorescence-Based Assay of Membrane Potential for High-Throughput Functional Study of Two Endogenous Ion Channels in Two Epithelial Cell Lines

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Polyamines regulate E-cadherin transcription through c-Myc modulating intestinal epithelial barrier function.

Lan Liu¹, Xin Guo, Jaladanki N Rao

¹Cell Biology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology

|January 30, 2009

Summary

Polyamines boost intestinal barrier integrity by increasing E-cadherin expression through the transcription factor c-Myc. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining epithelial barrier function and preventing dysfunction.

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Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis

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Published on: January 5, 2017

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Gastroenterology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Intestinal epithelial barrier integrity relies on intercellular junctions, with E-cadherin at adherens junctions mediating cell-cell contacts.
Polyamines are essential for E-cadherin expression, but the precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if polyamines induce E-cadherin expression via the transcription factor c-Myc.
To determine the role of polyamine-regulated E-cadherin in maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier integrity.

Main Methods:

Assessed the impact of polyamine levels on c-Myc and E-cadherin transcription using promoter activity assays and mRNA analysis.
Utilized adenoviral vectors for forced c-Myc expression in polyamine-deficient cells.
Employed E-cadherin promoter mutants and small interfering RNA (siRNA) to elucidate regulatory pathways and barrier function.

Main Results:

Reduced polyamines decreased c-Myc and repressed E-cadherin transcription, lowering promoter activity and mRNA levels.
Forced c-Myc expression restored E-cadherin transcription and protein levels in polyamine-deficient cells.
Polyamines enhance E-cadherin transcription via the E-Pal box in the E-cadherin promoter, mediated by c-Myc.

Conclusions:

Polyamines enhance E-cadherin transcription by activating c-Myc, thereby promoting intestinal epithelial barrier function.
Polyamines are critical for maintaining epithelial barrier integrity, particularly under stress conditions like H(2)O(2) exposure.