Differential effects of sodium butyrate on the transcription of the human TIS11 family of early-response genes in colorectal cancer cells.

The tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA)-inducible sequence 11 (TIS11) family of early-response proteins consists of at least five members. They share a highly conserved Cys3His zinc-binding motif, but otherwise have little sequence similarity. Their function remains unknown, but all are induced rapidly and transiently in response to extracellular hormone and growth factor signals. Sodium butyrate, a fermentation product of dietary fibre, effects colorectal cancer cell proliferation by inducing growth arrest, differentiation and apoptosis. In this communication, we report that butyrate has differential effects on the transcription of the three human TIS11 family members identified so far in T84 and HT-29 human colorectal cancer cell lines. Butyrate response factor 1 (BRF1) transcription is repressed, butyrate response factor 2 (BRF2) transcription is activated and there is no apparent effect on the transcription of human TIS11 (HTIS11). Induction and repression occur rapidly, with altered mRNA levels detectable within 15 min of butyrate addition. Two other short-chain fatty acids, propionate and acetate, have no detectable effects on BRF1 or BRF2 transcription.