Transcriptional Repression of the Rat Osteocalcin Gene by EF1

Intron I of the rat osteocalcin gene contains silencer elements that suppress osteocalcin-reporter fusion gene transcription. The consensus sequence for the transcription factor EF1 is homologous to two pyrimidine-rich repeats in intron 1 that contribute to silencing of osteocalcin-reporter fusion genes. To assess if overexpression of EF1 augments transcriptional repression by these sequences, the intron 1 sequences (wtS) were placed upstream to the native rat osteocalcin promoter fused to a luciferase reporter gene (-306-OCluc). Coexpression of the wtS-(-306-OCluc) fusion gene with EF1 decreased luciferase activity 30% relative to cotransfection with empty vector. Repression was abolished by point mutations in the putative EF1 motifs, mS-(-306-OCluc). To determine whether EF1 binds to these DNA sequences, gel retardation assays were performed using oligonucleotides containing the putative osteocalcin EF1 motifs and a classical EF1 motif, as radiolabeled probes. A comigrating DNAprotein complex generated by these probes was recognized by an antibody directed against EF1 and competed for by excess unlabeled wild-type oligonucleotides. Oligonucleotides with mutations in the osteocalcin sequences, which abolish suppression, and in the EF1 consensus site, that abolishes binding to EF1, were unable to compete for the formation of this complex. Overexpression of EF1 in ROS 17/2.8 cells led to an 84% decrease in osteocalcin mRNA levels relative to cells transfected with empty vector, confirming that EF1 suppresses expression of the endogenous osteocalcin gene. (Endocrinology 143: 3370–3375, 2002)