Transcription factor CUX1 is required for intestinal epithelial wound healing and targets the VAV2-RAC1 Signalling complex

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular cell research 2017-12, Vol.1864 (12), p.2347-2355
• Main Authors: Latreille, Roxanne, Servant, Raphaëlle, Darsigny, Mathieu, Marcoux, Sébastien, Jones, Christine, Perreault, Nathalie, Boudreau, François
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; CUX1; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation - genetics; Homeodomain Proteins - genetics; Humans; IEC wound healing; Inflammation - genetics; Inflammation - pathology; Intestines - metabolism; Intestines - pathology; Mice; Neuropeptides - genetics; Nuclear Proteins - genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav - genetics; RAC1; rac1 GTP-Binding Protein - genetics; Repressor Proteins - genetics; VAV2; Wound Healing - genetics
• ISSN: 0167-4889; 1879-2596
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2017.09.005

Intestinal epithelial cells form a protective barrier in limiting gut luminal content potentially harmful to the host. Upon gut epithelium injury, several signals instruct epithelial cells to undergo a rapid healing process. Defects in this process induce inflammatory responses and can further evolve into chronic gut inflammatory diseases. We previously identified the transcription factor CUX1 as crucial for protecting against experimental colitis in mice. However, the precise molecular mechanisms by which CUX1 intervenes during this biological process are unknown. Our aim was to evaluate CUX1 biological and functional roles during intestinal epithelial cell wound healing. RNAi knockdown of CUX1 in intestinal epithelial cells revealed a crucial role for this regulator in migratory response following wounding assays. Gene expression profiling identified several gene transcripts modulated in absence of CUX1 during wound healing for which a significant number was associated with cell motility and cytoskeleton function. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays identified the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav2 gene as a direct target for CUX1. Coincidently, reduction of VAV2 in absence of CUX1 was associated with a significant decrease of RAC1 activity in response to epithelial wounding. Our results identify a novel pathway by which CUX1 regulates normal intestinal epithelial cell restitution. [Display omitted] •CUX1 is crucial for normal intestinal epithelial cell migration upon wound injuries.•CUX1 targets the Vav2 gene and positively regulates its expression in intestinal epithelial cells.•Reduction of VAV2 expression negatively impacts on RAC-1 activity in intestinal epithelial cells.