Identification and characterization of RNF2 response elements in human kidney cells

Abstract

RING finger protein 2 (RNF2) contains a conserved Nterminal RING finger domain and functions as an E3 ligase. As a member of the Polycomb group family of proteins, RNF2 also represses a number of genes involved in development, differentiation, malignant transformation and cell cycle. Herein, using chromatin immunoprecipitation cloning, 33 RNF2-responding loci were identified in the genome of HEK293 human kidney cells. Luciferase reporter assays showed that among them, 26 and 2 loci acted as a repressor and an activator, respectively. RNA interference revealed that the identified RNF2-responding sequences regulated the transcriptional activity of nearby promoters. This study may contribute to elucidating the mechanism underlying RNF2-mediated transcriptional regulation.