Transforming growth factor-β1 regulates expression of the matrix metalloproteinase 20 (Mmp20) gene through a mechanism involving the transcription factor, myocyte enhancer factor-2C, in ameloblast lineage cells.

Matrix metalloproteinase-20 (Mmp20) plays an essential role in amelogenesis during tooth development and is regulated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in mouse ameloblast lineage cells (ALCs). The objective of this study was to explore the role of myocyte enhancer factor-2C (MEF2C), a key transcription factor in craniofacial development, in TGF-β1-induced Mmp20 gene expression. We investigated Mmp20 expression in ALCs over-expressing MEF2C and in ALCs with MEF2C knocked down. We also analyzed activity of the Mmp20 promoter using a transient reporter gene-expression assay in cultured ALCs. Putative transcription factor-binding sites for MEF2C and TGF-β1 on the Mmp20 promoter were analyzed with bioinformatics tools and examined using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). The expression of Mmp20 was induced, in a dose-dependent manner, by MEF2C over-expression, and TGF-β1-induced Mmp20 expression was blocked by MEF2C knockdown in ALCs. There was a TGF-β1/MEF2C-responsive region, including a putative MEF2-binding site, between base pairs -356 and -73 of the Mmp20 promoter. Mutation of the putative MEF2-binding site significantly reduced Mmp20 promoter activity upon activation with MEF2C or TGF-β1. In conclusion, TGF-β1-induced Mmp20 expression in ALCs was regulated through the MEF2-binding site on the Mmp20 promoter and thus mediated by the MEF2C signaling pathway.