MafG controls the hypoxic response of cells by accumulating HIF-1α in the nuclei

Abstract 

We identified MafG as a protein that interacts with HIF-1α, a key factor in hypoxic response, using the yeast two-hybrid system. Interaction between MafG and HIF-1α was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance and by translocation to the nucleolus with the NoLS signal. A knockdown of MafG reduced erythropoietin (EPO) mRNA levels as well as luciferase reporter activity with the hypoxia response element. The knockdown of MafG did not change total HIF-1α protein, but reduced the accumulation of HIF-1α in the nuclei. These results suggest that MafG regulates the hypoxic response of cells by detaining HIF-1α in the nuclei.

Structured summary

Abbreviations: HIF-1α, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, RT-PCR, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, EPO, erythropoietin, HRE, hypoxia response element, ARNT, aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator, HO-1, heme oxygenase-1, tBHQ, tert-butylhydroquinone

Keywords: HIF-1α, Hypoxia response, MafG, Nrf2