Homeodomain proteins MEIS1 and PBXs regulate the lineage-specific transcription of the platelet factor 4 gene

Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) is expressed during megakaryocytic differentiation. We previously reported that GATA-1 and ETS-1 regulate the rat PF4 promoter and transactivate the PF4 gene. For the present study, we investigated the regulatory elements and their transcription factors responsible for the lineage-specific expression of the PF4 gene. The promoter activities of deletion constructs were evaluated, and a novel regulatory element termed TME (tandem repeat of MEIS1 binding element) (-219 to -182) was defined. Binding proteins to TME were strongly detected in HEL nuclear extracts by electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA), and they were purified by DNA affinity chromatography. By performing Western blottings and supershift assays, the binding proteins were identified as homeodomain proteins, MEIS1, PBX1B, and PBX2. These factors are expressed in megakaryocytes differentiated from CD34+ cells in human cord blood. MEIS1 and PBXs bind to the TME as MEIS1/PBX complexes and activate the PF4 promoter. In nonmegakaryocytic HepG2 cells, GATA-1 and ETS-1 activate the PF4 promoter approximately 10-fold. Surprisingly, we found that additional expression of both MEIS1 and PBX2 multiplied this major activation another 2-fold. This activation was not observed when MEIS1 binding sites in the TME were disrupted. Furthermore, inhibition of the binding of endogenous MEIS1/PBX complexes to the TME decreased the promoter activity by almost one half, in megakaryocytic HEL cells. Thus, these studies demonstrate that the homeodomain proteins, MEIS1, PBX1B, and PBX2, play an important role in megakaryocytic gene expression.