Differences in the expression of cathepsin B in B16 melanoma metastatic variants depend on transcription factor Sp1

Cathepsin B contributes to the invasiveness of B16 melanoma cells in mice, with the highly metastatic B16a melanoma producing six-to eightfold more cathepsin B mRNA and protein than the less metastatic B16F1 variant. The proximal promoter region of the cathepsin B (Ctsb) gene (-149 to + 94) was previously found to be capable of reproducing this pattern of differential gene activation in B16 melanoma variants. The binding of B16 melanoma nuclear proteins to this promoter region has now been mapped to three GC-boxes (Sp1 transcription factor binding sites) and a potential X-box [tax response element (TRE)/c-AMP responsive element (CRE) site]. Mutation of the GC-boxes at -55 and -37 independently decreased the expression of a luciferase reporter gene in B16a cells to the level observed in B16F1 cells. Promoter activity was also attenuated by mutations within the GC-rich segment between + 6 and + 16, but not by mutation of the putative X-box. Both Sp1 and Sp3 bound the GC-boxes in the Ctsb promoter, and western blotting showed the level of Sp1 to be greater in B16a compared to B16F1 cells. B16F1 cells that were made to express Sp1 at levels observed in B16a cells produced corresponding increased amounts of endogenous cathepsin B mRNA and enzyme activity. Thus, the difference in cathepsin B expression between high and low metastatic B16 melanoma variants is largely due to different levels of Sp1.