Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to Assay Dynamic Histone Modification in Activated Gene Expression in Human Cells
13:20

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to Assay Dynamic Histone Modification in Activated Gene Expression in Human Cells

Published on: July 30, 2010

Intracellular interleukin-1alpha functionally interacts with histone acetyltransferase complexes

Miroslava Buryskova1, Martin Pospisek, Arnhild Grothey

  • 1Department of Pharmacology of Natural Products and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Ulm, D-89081 Ulm, Germany.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|November 13, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), a cytokine, translocates into the nucleus. This study reveals IL-1alpha

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) is primarily known as an extracellular inflammatory cytokine.
  • A portion of synthesized IL-1alpha is translocated into the cell nucleus, suggesting intracellular functions.
  • The precise mechanisms of IL-1alpha's intracellular roles in proliferation, apoptosis, and migration remain unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the nuclear functions of intracellular Interleukin-1alpha.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying IL-1alpha's nuclear activities.
  • To identify nuclear targets and interacting partners of IL-1alpha.

Main Methods:

  • Fusion of intracellular IL-1alpha to the Gal4 DNA-binding domain (Gal4BD) to assess transactivation potential.
  • Co-expression with transcriptional coactivator p300 to evaluate synergistic effects.
  • Interaction studies using yeast strains to identify binding partners and analyze phenotypes.
  • Investigating the role of the IL-1alpha N-terminal peptide (IL-1NTP) in complex formation.

Main Results:

  • Intracellular IL-1alpha fused to Gal4BD exhibits significant transactivation potential, enhanced by p300.
  • The IL-1alpha precursor interacts with histone acetyltransferases (p300, PCAF, Gcn5) and Ada3 via its N-terminal peptide (IL-1NTP).
  • IL-1NTP integrates into the PCAF.p300 complex without disruption.
  • Expression of Gal4BD/IL-1NTP induces a toxic phenotype in yeast, which is alleviated by depleting SAGA complex components.

Conclusions:

  • Provides the first evidence for the nuclear target of the IL-1alpha precursor.
  • Suggests a novel function for intracellular IL-1alpha in transcriptional control.
  • Highlights the interaction of IL-1alpha with histone acetyltransferases and its integration into transcriptional regulatory complexes.

More Related Videos

Assays for Validating Histone Acetyltransferase Inhibitors09:11

Assays for Validating Histone Acetyltransferase Inhibitors

Published on: August 6, 2020

An Acetyl-Click Chemistry Assay to Measure Histone Acetyltransferase 1 Acetylation05:44

An Acetyl-Click Chemistry Assay to Measure Histone Acetyltransferase 1 Acetylation

Published on: January 26, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications02:25

Spreading of Chromatin Modifications

The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells01:32

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...