Transcription factor p53 exhibits increased binding to the α2-macroglobulin gene promoter and decreased glycosylation in fetal and adult rat liver during the acute-phase response

Abstract

The binding affinity of p53 for the MG promoter was assessed by DNA-affinity chromatography with the extended ?2-macroglobulin (MG) gene promoter (-852/+12) and immunoblot analysis. During the increased MG gene transcription observed in the fetus and the acute-phase (AP) response in both the fetus and the adult, p53 exhibited increased binding to the MG promoter. This increase was accompanied by decreased O-linked N-acetyl glucosamine glycosylation of p53. We suggest that the enzymatic removal of sugar moieties in vivo serves to activate the MG gene promoter binding potential of p53 and its participation in upregulated MG gene transcription.