| To investigate the molecular mechanism ( s ) responsible for the tissue specific expression of ACAT 2 , we identified five cis elements within the human ACAT 2 promoter , four for the intestinal specific transcription factor CDX 2 ( caudal type homeobox transcription factor 2 ) , and one for the transcription factor HNF1alpha ( hepatocyte nuclear factor 1alpha ) . ^^^ Results of luciferase reporter and electrophoretic mobility shift assays show that CDX 2 and HNF1alpha exert a synergistic effect , enhancing the ACAT 2 promoter activity through binding to these cis elements . ^^^ In undifferentiated Caco 2 cells , the ACAT 2 expression is increased when exogenous CDX 2 and / or HNF1alpha are expressed by co transfection . ^^^ In differentiated Caco 2 cells , the ACAT 2 expression significantly decreases when the endogenous CDX 2 or HNF1alpha expression is suppressed by using RNAi ( RNA interference ) technology . ^^^ The expression levels of CDX 2 , HNF1alpha , and ACAT 2 are all greatly increased when the Caco 2 cells differentiate to become intestinal like cells . ^^^ |