Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
10:28

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

Published on: September 20, 2018

7.0K

Repression of Akt3 gene transcription by the tumor suppressor RIZ1

Qingnan Liu1,2, Xiaotian Qu1, Xiaolei Xie1

  • 1Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Scientific Reports
|January 26, 2018
PubMed

Insights

RIZ1 (PR domain zinc finger protein 1) acts as a tumor suppressor and regulates Akt3 expression. This research reveals RIZ1

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Metabolic Diseases

Background:

  • RIZ1 is implicated as a tumor suppressor in metabolic diseases like obesity and cancer.
  • The Akt pathway is crucial in both cancer and obesity, with a known link to RIZ1.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulatory role of RIZ1 in the expression of Akt3.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying RIZ1's influence on the Akt pathway in the context of cancer and obesity.

Main Methods:

  • Overexpression of RIZ1 in HEK293 cells.
  • Luciferase reporter assays to assess Akt3 promoter activity.
  • In vitro binding assays with recombinant RIZ1 and the Akt3 promoter.
  • Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays to confirm in vivo binding.
  • Analysis of H3K9 methylation on the Akt3 promoter.

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of RIZ1 led to reduced Akt3 protein levels.
  • RIZ1 significantly repressed Akt3 gene promoter activity.
  • RIZ1 directly binds to the Akt3 promoter both in vitro and in vivo.
  • RIZ1 overexpression increased H3K9 methylation at the Akt3 promoter.

Conclusions:

  • Akt3 is identified as a direct transcriptional target of RIZ1.
  • RIZ1-mediated regulation of Akt3 contributes to understanding the Akt pathway in cancer and obesity.
  • This study expands knowledge on RIZ1's function in metabolic and oncogenic processes.

More Related Videos

A Quantitative Assay to Study Protein:DNA Interactions, Discover Transcriptional Regulators of Gene Expression, and Identify Novel Anti-tumor Agents06:43

A Quantitative Assay to Study Protein:DNA Interactions, Discover Transcriptional Regulators of Gene Expression, and Identify Novel Anti-tumor Agents

Published on: August 31, 2013

19.2K
In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing10:44

In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing

Published on: May 5, 2023

1.9K

Related Concept Videos

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
6.1K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
9.9K
Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors01:52

Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors

Certain biochemical processes, such as embryonic development and cell growth regulation, depend on the repression of specific genes. DNA binding proteins known as eukaryotic transcription inhibitors regulate the repression of gene expression in eukaryotes. The presence of these inhibitors at the required location and time in the cell is triggered by the presence of hormones and additional signals from other cells.
Eukaryotic transcription inhibitors usually contain two distinct domains, a...
11.1K
Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression02:35

Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression

Chromatin is the massive complex of DNA and proteins packaged inside the nucleus. The complexity of chromatin folding and how it is packaged inside the nucleus greatly influences  access to genetic information. Generally, the nucleus' periphery is considered transcriptionally repressive, while the cell's interior is considered a transcriptionally active area. 
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
25.0K
Transcription01:10

Transcription

Overview
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
157.2K
Transcription Factors02:16

Transcription Factors

Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
82.9K