Gene expression profiling elucidates a specific role for RARγ in the retinoic acid-induced differentiation of F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells

The biological effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA), a major active metabolite of retinol, are mainly mediated through its interactions with retinoic acid receptor (RARs α, β, γ) and retinoid X receptor (RXRs α, β, γ) heterodimers. RAR/RXR heterodimers activate transcription by binding to RA-response elements (RAREs or RXREs) in the promoters of primary target genes. Murine F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells have been widely used as a model for cellular differentiation and RA signaling during embryonic development. We identified and characterized genes that are differentially expressed in F9 wild type (Wt) and F9 RARγ−/− cells, with and without RA treatment, through the use of oligonucleotide-based microarrays. Our data indicate that RARγ, in the absence of exogenous RA, modulates gene expression. Genes such as Sfrp2, Tie1, Fbp2, Emp1, and Emp3 exhibited higher transcript levels in RA-treated Wt, RARα−/− and RARβ2−/− lines than in RA-treated RARγ−/− cells, and represent specific RARγ targets. Other genes, such as Runx1, were expressed at lower levels in both F9 RARβ2−/− and RARγ−/− cell lines than in F9 Wt and RARα−/−. Genes specifically induced by RA at 6 h with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide in F9 Wt, but not in RARγ−/− cells, included Hoxa3, Hoxa5, Gas1, Cyp26a1, Sfrp2, Fbp2, and Emp1. These genes represent specific primary RARγ targets in F9 cells. Several genes in the Wnt signaling pathway were regulated by RARγ. Delineation of the receptor-specific actions of RA with respect to cell proliferation and differentiation should result in more effective therapies with this drug.