Measurement of mRNA concentration and mRNA half-life as a function of hormonal treatment

Changes in group II phospholipase A2 gene expression in rat heart during sepsis

BACKGROUND

This study was undertaken to investigate alterations of group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2) gene expression and its underlying mechanism in rat heart during different phases of sepsis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Experiments were divided into three groups, control, early sepsis, and late sepsis. Early and late sepsis refers to those animals sacrificed at 9 and 18 h, respectively, after CLP. PLA2 enzyme activity, group II PLA2 protein level, messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance, transcription rate, and half-life were measured.

RESULTS

PLA2 activity was decreased by 29% during early sepsis but it was increased by 49% during late sepsis. Group II PLA2 protein level was decreased by 27% during early sepsis but it was increased by 35.3% during late sepsis. Group II PLA2 mRNA was decreased by 21% during early sepsis but it was increased by 141% during late sepsis. The transcription rate of group II PLA2 mRNA was reduced by 25% during early sepsis but it was elevated by 67% during late sepsis. The half-life of group II PLA2 mRNA remained unaltered during early and late phases of sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that PLA2 activity, group II PLA2 protein level, the mRNA abundance, and transcription rate were concurrently underexpressed during early sepsis, while they were overexpressed during late sepsis, with no change in the degradation of gene transcript. These data indicate that the biphasic changes in group II PLA2 gene expression are regulated transcriptionally during sepsis.

Modeling transitions in body composition: the approach to steady state for anthropometric measures and physiological functions in the Minnesota human starvation study

Background

This study evaluated whether the changes in several anthropometric and functional measures during caloric restriction combined with walking and treadmill exercise would fit a simple model of approach to steady state (a plateau) that can be solved using spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel^®). We hypothesized that transitions in waist girth and several body compartments would fit a simple exponential model that approaches a stable steady-state.

Methods

The model (an equation) was applied to outcomes reported in the Minnesota starvation experiment using Microsoft Excel's Solver^® function to derive rate parameters (k) and projected steady state values. However, data for most end-points were available only at t = 0, 12 and 24 weeks of caloric restriction. Therefore, we derived 2 new equations that enable model solutions to be calculated from 3 equally spaced data points.

Results

For the group of male subjects in the Minnesota study, body mass declined with a first order rate constant of about 0.079 wk^-1. The fractional rate of loss of fat free mass, which includes components that remained almost constant during starvation, was 0.064 wk^-1, compared to a rate of loss of fat mass of 0.103 wk^-1. The rate of loss of abdominal fat, as exemplified by the change in the waist girth, was 0.213 wk^-1.

On average, 0.77 kg was lost per cm of waist girth. Other girths showed rates of loss between 0.085 and 0.131 wk^-1. Resting energy expenditure (REE) declined at 0.131 wk^-1. Changes in heart volume, hand strength, work capacity and N excretion showed rates of loss in the same range. The group of 32 subjects was close to steady state or had already reached steady state for the variables under consideration at the end of semi-starvation.

Conclusion

When energy intake is changed to new, relatively constant levels, while physical activity is maintained, changes in several anthropometric and physiological measures can be modeled as an exponential approach to steady state using software that is widely available. The 3 point method for parameter estimation provides a criterion for testing whether change in a variable can be usefully modelled with exponential kinetics within the time range for which data are available.

TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION OF CARDIAC SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM CALCIUM-ATPase GENE DURING THE PROGRESSION OF SEPSIS

Changes in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) gene expression in the rat heart during different phases of sepsis were studied. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Septic rats were divided into two groups: the early hyperdynamic (9 h after CLP, early sepsis) and the late hypodynamic (18 h after CLP; late sepsis) groups. Western blot analyses reveal that SERCA2a protein level remained unaltered during early sepsis but was decreased by 59% during late sepsis. Northern blot analyses show that the steady-state level of SERCA2a mRNA stayed unchanged during the early phase but was decreased by 43% during the late phase of sepsis. Nuclear runoff assays show that the transcription rate of SERCA2a gene transcript remained unaffected during early sepsis but was decreased by 34% during late sepsis. The actinomycin D pulse-chase studies indicate that the half-life of SERCA2a mRNA was unaffected during the early and the late phases of sepsis. These findings demonstrate that during the early phase of sepsis, the protein level, the mRNA abundance, and the transcription rate of SERCA2a remained unaltered, whereas during the late phase of sepsis, the rate of transcription of SERCA2a was decreased, and the decreased transcription rate was associated with decreases in SERCA2a mRNA abundance and SERCA2a protein level in the rat heart. Based on these data, it is concluded that SERCA2a gene expression decreased during the late phase of sepsis in the rat heart and that the decreased expression was regulated at the transcriptional level.

beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist-induced upregulation of tachykinin NK(2) receptor expression and function in airway smooth muscle

Neurokinin A (NKA) induces bronchoconstriction mediated by tachykinin NK(2) receptors in animals and humans, and may be increased in asthma. Because beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonists are the most widely used bronchodilators in asthma, we investigated the effects of the beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist fenoterol on NK(2) receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) and receptor density as well as the functional responses of bovine tracheal smooth muscle to the NK(2) receptor agonist [beta-Ala(8)]-NKA(4-10) in vitro, using Northern blot analysis, receptor binding, and organ bath studies. Incubation with fenoterol induced a time- and concentration-dependent upregulation of NK(2) receptor mRNA (71% increase after 12 h at 10(-7) M fenoterol), which was abolished by propranolol (a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor agonist) and ICI118551 (a selective beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist), but not by CGP20712A (a selective beta(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist), indicating that fenoterol acts via beta(2)-adrenoceptors. These effects were mimicked by forskolin and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), both agents that increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and by the cAMP analogue 8-bromo-cAMP. The upregulation was blocked by cycloheximide, indicating that it requires new protein synthesis, and was accompanied by an increase in both the stability of NK(2) receptor mRNA and the rate of NK(2) receptor gene transcription. Radioligand binding assay using the selective NK(2) receptor antagonist [(3)H]SR48968 showed a significant increase in the number of receptor binding sites after 12 h and 18 h, which was accompanied by an increased contractile responsiveness to the NK(2) receptor agonist [beta-Ala(8)]-NKA(4-10). Dexamethasone completely prevented the fenoterol-induced increase in NK(2) receptor mRNA and in the contractile response. We conclude that beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonists induce upregulation of functional NK(2) receptors in airway smooth muscle by increasing cAMP, and that this can be prevented by a corticosteroid. The increased responsiveness could be relevant to asthma control and mortality.

Transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of beta(2)-adrenergic receptor gene in rat liver during sepsis

Changes in beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)-AR) gene expression in the rat liver during different phases of sepsis were studied. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Septic rats exhibit two metabolically distinct phases: an initial hyperglycemic (9 h after CLP; early sepsis) followed by a hypoglycemic phase (18 h after CLP; late sepsis). The [(3)H]dihydroalprenolol binding studies show that the density of beta(2)-AR was decreased by 12 and 35% during the early and late phases of sepsis, respectively. Western blot analyses depict that the beta(2)-AR protein level was reduced by 37 and 72% during early and late sepsis, respectively. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analyses reveal that the steady-state level of beta(2)-AR mRNA was decreased by 37% during early phase and 77% during late phase of sepsis. Nuclear run-off assays show that the rate of transcription of beta(2)-AR mRNA was reduced by 36% during early sepsis and 64% during late sepsis. The stability assays indicate that the half-life of beta(2)-AR mRNA was shortened by 21 and 50% during the early and late phases of sepsis, respectively, indicating that the rate of degradation of beta(2)-AR mRNA was progressively enhanced during sepsis. These findings demonstrate that the beta(2)-AR gene was underexpressed in the liver during the progression of sepsis, and, furthermore, the underexpression of the beta(2)-AR gene was the result of a reduction in the rate of transcription coupled with an enhancement in the rate of degradation of beta(2)-AR gene transcripts. Thus our findings that the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of beta(2)-AR gene associated with decreases in beta(2)-AR number and its protein expression may provide a molecular mechanistic explanation for the development of hypoglycemia during the late stage of sepsis.

Transcriptional regulation of alpha1-adrenoceptor gene in the rat liver during different phases of sepsis

Changes in alpha1-adrenoceptor (alpha1AR) gene expression in the rat liver during different phases of sepsis were studied. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Septic rats exhibit two metabolically distinct phases: an initial hyperglycemic phase (9 h after CLP, early sepsis) followed by a hypoglycemic phase (18 h after CLP; late sepsis). The [3H]prazosin binding studies show that the density of alpha1AR was increased by 30% during the early phase while it was decreased by 24% during the late phase of sepsis. Western blot analyses reveal that alpha1AR protein level was elevated by 48% during early sepsis but was decreased by 55% during late sepsis. Northern blot analyses depict that the steady-state level of alpha1bAR mRNA was enhanced by 21% during the early phase but was declined by 29% during the late phase of sepsis. Nuclear run-off assays show that the transcription rate of alpha1bAR gene transcript was increased by 76% during early sepsis while it was decreased by 29% during late sepsis. The actinomycin D pulse-chase studies indicate that the half-life of alpha1bAR mRNA remained unaffected during the early and the late phases of sepsis. These findings demonstrate that during the early phase of sepsis, the increase in the rate of transcription of alpha1bAR gene paralleled with the elevations in the alpha1bAR mRNA abundance and alpha1AR protein level, while during the late phase of sepsis, the decrease in the rate of transcription of alpha1bAR gene coincided with the declines in the alpha1bAR mRNA abundance and the alpha1AR protein level in the rat liver. These observations indicate that the altered expression of alpha1AR genes in the rat liver during the progression of sepsis was regulated transcriptionally.

Estradiol up-regulates estrogen receptor-alpha messenger ribonucleic acid in sheep endometrium by increasing its stability

During the preovulatory period, estrogen up-regulates estrogen receptor-alpha (ER) gene expression in endometrium in female mammals of all species examined. The purpose of this study was to determine directly whether estradiol up-regulates ER mRNA by increasing the stability of the message. Endometrial tissue was collected from ovariectomized ewes 18 h after the ewes were injected with 50 microg estradiol. Previous work indicated rapid accumulation of ER mRNA at this time. Estradiol increased uterine weights (to 157 +/- 15%) as well as steady-state concentrations of ER (to 309 +/- 37%), progesterone receptor (PR; to 165 +/- 19%), and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH; to 374 +/- 32%) mRNAs in endometrium, compared to control levels of 100%. The effects of estradiol on ER mRNA stability in endometrium were measured in explants cultured with the transcription inhibitor 5, 6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole, as well as by labeling RNA in vivo with 4-thiouridine. Both assays indicated that estradiol enhanced ER mRNA stability (half-life increased from 9 h to >/= 24 h). The estradiol effect was specific, because the stabilities of PR, GAPDH, and c-fos mRNAs were unaffected by treatment. Thus, estradiol up-regulates steady-state concentrations of ER mRNA in endometrium by a novel posttranscriptional mechanism.

Agonist-induced down-regulation of the beta2-adrenoceptor and its mRNA in human mononuclear leukocytes

Agonist-mediated regulation of beta2-adrenoceptors in mononuclear leukocytes has been examined at the protein but not at the mRNA level. In the present study, incubation of mononuclear leukocytes with the beta-agonist (-)-isoproterenol (10(-6) M) for up to 42 hr led to a maximum decrease in both beta2-adrenoceptor mRNA concentration and total receptor number of ca. 56 and 70%, respectively. The decrease in the mRNA level, however, was slower than for the protein level. After 4 hr of incubation with the beta-agonist, the protein level decreased to a minimum of 65% of the initial amount, while an incubation of 8 hr was necessary to reach a similar decrease in the level of mRNA (69% of the initial level). Measurements of mRNA stability revealed a reduction in the half-life of beta2-adrenoceptor mRNA from 2.7 to 1.1 hr following 4 hr of incubation with (-)-isoproterenol. Our data clearly demonstrate that treatment of human mononuclear leukocytes with (-)-isoproterenol induces a beta2-adrenoceptor down-regulation together with a slower time course of mRNA down-regulation which is partly due to a reduction of mRNA stability.

Protein kinase A-regulated instability site in the 3'-untranslated region of lactate dehydrogenase-A subunit mRNA

Expression of the lactate dehydrogenase A subunit (LDH-A) gene can be controlled by transcriptional as well as posttranscriptional mechanisms. In rat C6 glioma cells, LDH-A mRNA is stabilized by activation and synergistic interaction of protein kinases A and C. In the present study, we aimed to identify the sequence domain which determines and regulates mRNA stability/instability by protein kinase A and focused our attention on the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of LDH-A mRNA. We have constructed various chimeric globin/lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) genes linked to the c-fos promoter and stably transfected them into rat C6 glioma cells. After their transfection, we determined the half-life of transcribed chimeric globin/ldh mRNAs. The results showed that at least three sequence domains within the LDH-A 3'-UTR consisting of nucleotides 1286-1351, 1453-1471, and 1471-1502 are responsible for the relatively rapid rate of LDH-A mRNA turnover in the cytoplasm. Whereas chimeric globin/ldh mRNAs containing the base sequences 1286-1351 and 1453-1471 were not stabilized by (Sp)-cAMPS, an activator of protein kinase A, instability caused by the 1471-1502 domain was significantly reversed. Additional deletion and mutational analyses demonstrated that the 3'-UTR fragment consisting of the 22 bases 1478-1499 is a critical determinant for the (Sp)-cAMPS-mediated LDH-A mRNA stabilizing activity. Because of its functional characteristics, we named the 22-base region "cAMP-stabilizing region."

Glucocorticoids reduce tachykinin NK2 receptor expression in bovine tracheal smooth muscle

Neurokinin A is not only a potent bronchoconstrictor, but also has immuno-modulatory effects in animals and man, mediated via tachykinin NK2 receptors. We have examined the effect of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, on tachykinin NK2 receptor mRNA and the number of tachykinin NK2 receptors in bovine tracheal smooth muscle in vitro by Northern blot analysis using a human tachykinin NK2 receptor cDNA probe and receptor binding assay using [3H]SR48968 [(S)-N-methyl-N[4-acetylamino-4-phenylpiperidino-2(3,4-dichlorophenyl) butyl]benzamide]. Tachykinin NK2 receptor mRNA showed a time-dependent suppression (62% reduction after 6 h at 10(-7) M of dexamethasone), as well as a concentration-dependent suppression after the incubation with dexamethasone (IC50 = 1.3 x 10(-8) M). This suppression was abolished by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, mifepristone (RU38486), indicating that dexamethasone acts via the glucocorticoid receptor. It was also abolished by the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (10 microg/ml), indicating that new protein synthesis is required on this suppression. Using the RNA polymerase inhibitor actinomycin D (5 microg/ml), we showed that the stability of tachykinin NK2 receptor mRNA was not affected by dexamethasone (t1/2 = 5 h). Nuclear run-on assays revealed a 51% reduction in the rate of tachykinin NK2 receptor gene transcription after treatment with dexamethasone for 6 h. Radioligand binding assay using an selective tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist, [3H]SR48968 showed a significant decrease in the number of receptor binding sites after 16 h (Bmax = 262 +/- 23 versus 213 +/- 13 fmol/mg protein for vehicle and dexamethasone treatment respectively, P < 0.05), with no significant change at the earlier time points. These results suggest that glucocorticoids act on glucocorticoid receptors to decrease tachykinin NK2 receptor expression by decreasing the rate of tachykinin NK2 receptor gene transcription.

Transferrin gene expression and secretion in rat sertoli cells

Transferrin secretion and expression were studied in cultured Sertoli cells recovered from fats at days 10 and 17 postpartum. Transferrin biosynthesis as measured by radioimmunoassay showed a dramatic, 3.9-fold increase between days 10 and 17. The majority of the transferrin was secreted, and a kinetic study revealed that the production was four times higher at day 17 than at day 10. This difference was not the result of altered transferrin degradation as the protein was shown to be very stable at both ages. To determine if this regulation was at the transcriptional or translation level, Northern blot analysis, nuclear run-on assays, mRNA stability (half-life) measurements, and mRNA intracytoplasmic distribution analyses were carried out. The Northern blots analysis, the nuclear run-on assays, and the half-life measurements revealed that transferrin mRNA levels, gene transcription rates, and mRNA stability were indistinguishable at both ages. Interestingly, the intracytoplasmic mRNA distribution analyses showed that most of the transferrin mRNA (80%) was associated with the 40 S and 60 S protein particles at both ages and was, therefore, theoretically untranslatable. However, approximately twice as much transferrin in RNA was found to be associated with polysomes at day 17 as compared to day 10. We have shown that the increase in transferrin biosynthesis by rat Sertoli cells during testicular development is not due to an increase in the amount of transferrin mRNA or an increase in its half-life, but appears to be due to an increase in translation rate of the transferrin mRNA.

Interleukin-1 beta increases leukemia inhibitory factor mRNA levels through transient stimulation of transcription rate

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) induces leukemia inhibitor factor (LIF) expression in a number of cell types including non-neuronal cells of the sympathetic superior cervical ganglion (SCG). Upregulation of LIF by inflammatory cytokines is usually associated with injury response. We characterized the molecular mechanism of LIF mRNA regulation by IL-1 beta in explanted neonatal rat SCG and a Schwann cell line. IL-1 beta increases LIF mRNA levels by interacting with IL-1 receptors in SCG, since this induction could be diminished by inclusion of either soluble IL-1 receptors or IL-1 receptor antagonist. The antiinflammatory glucocorticoid dexamethasone also inhibits LIF mRNA induction by IL-1 beta. LIF mRNA encodes a 3' AU-rich mRNA stability control sequence, but IL-1 beta does not appear to regulate the decay of LIF mRNA by this mechanism. IL-1 beta does not raise LIF gene transcription rate in cultured SCG 6 or 24 h after addition of IL-1 beta as measured by nuclear run-on assays. LIF gene transcription is induced repidly and transiently in an immortalized Schwann cell line, returning to uninduced rates by 1 h after induction. These results suggest that the IL-1 beta induction of LIF gene expression is at least partially transcriptional, but that LIF mRNA increases to a greater extent than LIF transcription, suggesting the possibility of posttranscriptional regulation as well.

Regulation of beta-adrenoceptor density and mRNA levels in the rat heart cell-line H9c2

The regulation of the expression of beta-adrenoceptor (beta-ARs) is not thoroughly understood. We demonstrate that the rat heart cell-line H9c2 expresses both beta 1- and beta 2-ARs. In radioligand-binding experiments, the maximal binding capacity of (-)-[125I]-iodocyanopindolol was determined as 18 +/- 0.6 fmol/mg of protein with a KD of 35.4 +/- 4.1 pM. Competitive radioligand-binding experiments with subtype-specific beta-antagonists reveal a subtype ratio of beta 1- to beta 2-ARs of 29%: 71%. With competitive reverse-transcriptase PCR we found beta 2-mRNA to be up to 1600 times more frequent than beta 1-mRNA. Treatment of the H9c2 cell-line with the beta-adrenergic agonist (-)-isoproterenol (10(-6) M), the antagonist (-)-propranolol (10(-6) M) and the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (500 nM) induces regulatory effects on both the beta-AR protein and mRNA level. Isoproterenol treatment leads to down-regulation of the total receptor number by 56 +/- 4%, due to a decrease in beta 2-ARs, while maintaining the beta 1-AR number constant. On the transcription level, both beta 1-and beta 2-mRNAs are decreased by 30% and 42% respectively. mRNA stability measurements reveal a reduced half-life of beta 2-mRNA from 9.3 h to 6.5 h after isoproterenol treatment. Incubation of cells with (-)-propranolol does not affect the amounts of beta-ARs and their mRNAs. Dexamethasone induces a 1.8 +/- 0.2-fold increase in beta-AR number over the basal level as well as a 1.9 +/- 0.2-fold increase in the amount of beta 2-mRNA. Because the half-life of beta 2-mRNA was unaffected by dexamethasone, the increased beta 2-mRNA level must be due to an enhanced transcription rate. The beta 1-mRNA levels are unchanged during dexamethasone-incubation of the cells. Our data clearly demonstrate that treatment of H9c2 rat heart cells with isoproterenol and dexamethasone induces alterations in the level of RNA stability as well as gene transcription, leading to altered receptor numbers.

Adolescent development influences functional responsiveness of noradrenergic projections to the hypothalamus in male rats

Hypothalamic noradrenergic utilization in vivo and the in vitro depolarized release of norepinephrine (NE) were measured at 28, 42, and 70 days of age in male rats to determine the impact of adolescent development on the functional responsiveness of this transmitter system. At each age, function was determined in control rats and rats challenged by restraint. NE utilization in vivo was estimated by measuring the decrease in NE levels following administration of a synthesis inhibitor, alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methyl ester (alpha-MT, 250 mg/kg). The half-life of approach to a new steady-state was determined. To measure depolarized release of NE, the hypothalamus was incubated in vitro in a high potassium (50 mM) medium and the percent of endogenous NE released into the medium was determined. The in vivo results indicated that hypothalamic NE utilization in control animals decreases as animals mature. Additionally, the in vitro results indicated that the percent NE released upon depolarization also decreased with maturation in control animals. Restraint shifted the NE decay curve measured in vivo to the right at all ages. Overall, however, restraint tended to increase NE utilization at 70 days, have little effect at 42 days, and retard utilization at 28 days. Furthermore, restraint markedly reduced the depolarized release of NE at 28 days, had no effect at 42 days and slightly, but significantly, increased release at 70 days. Restraint significantly increased plasma corticosterone at all ages. Hypothalamic NE projections are important to an organism's regulatory responses, and changes that take place over adolescence in this system may be important for the emergence of adult-typical responses as well as render adolescents vulnerable to specific dysfunctions.

Dietary modulation of the mRNA stability of trypsin isozymes and the two forms of secretory trypsin inhibitor in the rat pancreas

The stability of the mRNAs encoding pancreatic trypsin isozymes, namely the cationic form and the two anionic forms I and II, as well as that of the secretory trypsin inhibitors I and II, were studied in rats fed on either a high-protein diet, or a protein-free diet compared with a standard diet for a 10-day period. Either immediately or 3 h and 6 h after injecting the transcription inhibitor, actinomycin D, the mRNA levels were quantified by performing dot-blot hybridization with specific oligonucleotide probes. Under high-protein dietary conditions, the stability of the mRNAs coding for anionic trypsin II and cationic trypsin showed no change, whereas that of anionic trypsin I and the two forms of secretory trypsin inhibitor were affected. The mRNA half-life of anionic trypsin I and trypsin inhibitor II increased, in sharp contrast with that of trypsin inhibitor I, which decreased. When rats were fed on a protein-free diet, the stabilities of both anionic trypsin forms and trypsin inhibitor I increased, whereas that of trypsin inhibitor II decreased and that of cationic trypsin remained unchanged. The present results show the existence of differences in the mechanisms whereby gene expression of trypsin isozymes and secretory trypsin inhibitors is regulated, although they are synthesized in parallel in the pancreatic acinar cell and stored in zymogen granules before being secreted into the intestinal lumen.

Two distinct pathways for histamine H2 receptor down-regulation. H2 Leu124 --> Ala receptor mutant provides evidence for a cAMP-independent action of H2 agonists

Pretreatment of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the histamine H2 receptor (CHOrH2 cells) with histamine resulted in a time-dependent (t1/2 approximately 7 h) and dose-dependent (EC50=18 nM) H2 receptor down-regulation measured as [125I]iodoaminopotentidine binding (44+/-10% down-regulation). Pretreatment of CHOrH2 cells with cholera toxin or forskolin also led to H2 receptor down-regulation. Forskolin time-dependently (t1/2 approximately 7 h) and dose-dependently (EC50 = 0.3 microM) induced H2 receptor down-regulation. Both histamine and forskolin induced rapid down-regulation of H2 receptor mRNA levels, probably caused by mRNA destabilization. Recently, Moro et al. (Moro, O. Lameh, J., Hogger, P., and Sadée, W. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 22273-22276) showed that hydrophobic amino acids in a conserved G-protein-coupled receptor motif in the second intracellular loop are implicated in G-protein coupling. To uncouple the H2 receptor from the Gs-protein, we introduced the Leu124 --> Ala mutation in the second intracellular loop of the H2 receptor. The H2 Leu124 --> Ala mutant showed altered agonist-binding parameters, attenuated histamine-induced cAMP production, and was down-regulated by concentrations of histamine that did not give rise to cAMP production. Taken together, in CHOrH2 cells, H2 receptor down-regulation appears to be induced by two distinct pathways, a cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent pathway.

A binding factor for interleukin 2 mRNA

Jurkat cells, a human T lymphocyte line that can be induced to synthesize and secrete interleukin 2, contain a factor that binds interleukin 2 mRNA. Binding can be demonstrated by formation of a complex detectable by gel electrophoresis. The binding is sequence specific and occurs in the 3'-non-coding region, within 160 nt of the end of the coding region, at or near a site on the mRNA that is rich in A and U residues. However, it appears not to be due to known AU binding factors. The factor is protease sensitive and binds non-covalently to interleukin 2 mRNA. It behaves like a protein of molecular weight 50 000-60 000 after UV-induced cross-linking to the mRNA. Preparations of the binding factor also protect interleukin 2 mRNA against degradation by a recently described RNasin-resistant endoribonuclease activity in Jurkat cells. Protection occurs under the same conditions required to generate the gel-retarded complex.

Post-transcriptional regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor by hypoxia

The major control point for the hypoxic induction of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene is the regulation of the steady-state level of the mRNA. We previously demonstrated a discrepancy between the transcription rate and the steady-state mRNA level induced by hypoxia. This led us to examine the post-transcriptional regulation of VEGF expression. Actinomycin D experiments revealed that hypoxia increased VEGF mRNA half-life from 43 +/- 6 min to 106 +/- 9 min. Using an in vitro mRNA degradation assay, the half-life of VEGF mRNA 3'-untranslated region (UTR) transcripts were also found to be increased when incubated with hypoxic versus normoxic extracts. Both cis-regulatory elements involved in VEGF mRNA degradation under normoxic conditions and in increased stabilization under hypoxic conditions were mapped using this degradation assay. A hypoxia-induced protein(s) was found that bound to the sequences in the VEGF 3'-UTR which mediated increased stability in the degradation assay. Furthermore, genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, blocked the hypoxia-induced stabilization of VEGF 3'-UTR transcripts and inhibited hypoxia-induced protein binding to the VEGF 3'-UTR. These findings demonstrate a significant post-transcriptional component to the regulation of VEGF.

Transcriptional up-regulation of the mouse gene for the muscle-specific subunit of enolase during terminal differentiation of myogenic cells

The glycolytic enzyme enolase (EC 4.2.1.11) exists as dimers formed from three structurally related subunits alpha, beta, and gamma, encoded by separate genes. The gene encoding the beta-subunit is expressed only in striated muscles. We have previously shown that the beta-enolase gene belongs to a small subset of muscle-specific genes showing transcriptional activity in cultured myoblasts, prior to withdrawal from the cell cycle. An increase in the level of beta-enolase mRNA occurs during terminal differentiation of myoblasts. To investigate the mechanisms underlying this increase, we have simultaneously estimated, under steady state conditions, the rate of synthesis and the stability of beta-enolase mRNA in proliferating C2.7 myoblasts as well as in differentiating myotubes. The method used is based on the isolation of newly synthesized RNA from the total RNA pool, following pulse-labeling of intact cells in the presence of 4-thiouridine. The results described here demonstrate a coordinate increase in newly synthesized and total beta-enolase mRNA, while the mRNA half-life, about 4 hr, remains unchanged in the course of terminal differentiation. The expression of the gene for insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II), a major positive regulator of myogenesis, was analyzed using the same approach. It is concluded that the up-regulation of beta-enolase as well as IGF-II gene expression in differentiating muscle cells reflects an increased rate of entry of newly synthesized mRNAs into the general pool of transcripts without changes in their respective half-lives.

H-2M3a violates the paradigm for major histocompatibility complex class I peptide binding

The major histocompatibility (MHC) class I-b molecule H-2M3a binds and presents N-formylated peptides to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This requirement potentially places severe constraints on the number of peptides that M3a can present to the immune system. Consistent with this idea, the M3a-Ld MHC class I chimera is expressed at very low levels on the cell surface, but can be induced significantly by the addition of specific peptides at 27 degrees C. Using this assay, we show that M3a binds many very short N-formyl peptides, including N-formyl chemotactic peptides and canonical octapeptides. This observation is in sharp contrast to the paradigmatic size range of peptides of 8-10 amino acids binding to most class I-a molecules and the class I-b molecule Qa-2. Stabilization by fMLF-benzyl amide could be detected at peptide concentrations as low as 100 nM. While N-formyl peptides as short as two amino acids in length stabilized expression of M3a-Ld, increasing the length of these peptides added to the stability of peptide-MHC complexes as determined by 27-37 degrees C temperature shift experiments. We propose that relaxation of the length rule may represent a compensatory adaptation to maximize the number of peptides that can be presented by H-2M3a.

Thyroid hormone regulation of transmembrane signalling in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes by selective alteration of the expression and coupling of G-protein alpha-subunits

Thyroid hormone exerts profound effects on the activity of the hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase system in the heart. Distinct guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G-proteins) mediate stimulatory and inhibitory influences on adenylate cyclase activity. To examine whether the effects of thyroid hormone on adenylate cyclase involve specific changes in G-protein subunit expression, the influence of tri-iodothyronine (T3) on the biosynthesis and activity of G-proteins in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes was determined. In myocytes challenged with T3 for 5 days, Gs alpha levels increased by 4 +/- 0.5-fold, whereas Gi2 alpha levels declined by more than 80%. T3 down-regulated Gi2 alpha mRNA by 60% within 3 days, but had no effect on Gs alpha mRNA. The basis for the decline in Gi2 alpha mRNA was the T3-mediated suppression of Gi2 alpha gene transcription by 80 +/- 9% within 4 h. The decline in Gi2 alpha mRNA in response to T3 produced a 2-fold decrease in relative rate of synthesis of Gi2 alpha but not in its half-life (46 +/- 7 h). Gs alpha synthesis was not altered by T3, but the half-life of Gs alpha increased from 50 +/- 6 h in control cells to 72 +/- 8 h in T3-treated cells. In addition, T3 provoked the translocation of Gs alpha from the cytoplasmic to the membranous compartment. Membranous Gs alpha increased from 30 +/- 6% to 61 +/- 7% of total cellular Gs alpha, whereas cytoplasmic Gs alpha declined from 68 +/- 6% to 33 +/- 8% within 1 day of exposure to T3. T3-mediated up-regulation of Gs alpha enhanced the activation of myocardial adenylate cyclase by the stimulatory pathway whereas the down-regulation of Gi2 alpha attenuated the deactivation of myocardial adenylate cyclase by the inhibitory pathway.

Glucocorticoids down-regulate beta 1-adrenergic-receptor expression by suppressing transcription of the receptor gene

The expression of beta 2-adrenergic receptors is up-regulated by glucocorticoids. In contrast, beta 1-adrenergic receptors display glucocorticoid-induced down-regulation. In rat C6 glioma cells, which express both of these subtypes of beta-adrenergic receptors, the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone stimulates no change in the total beta-adrenergic receptor content, but rather shifts the beta 1:beta 2 ratio from 80:20 to 50:50. Radioligand binding and immunoblotting demonstrate a sharp decline in beta 1-adrenergic receptor expression. Metabolic labelling of cells with [35S]-methionine in tandem with immunoprecipitation by beta 1-adrenergic-receptor-specific antibodies reveals a sharp decline in the synthesis of the receptor within 48 h for cells challenged with glucocorticoid. Steady-state levels of beta 1-adrenergic-receptor mRNA declined from 0.47 to 0.26 amol/microgram of total cellular RNA within 2 h of dexamethasone challenge, as measured by DNA-excess solution hybridization. The stability of receptor mRNA was not influenced by glucocorticoid; the half-lives of the beta 1- and beta 2-subtype mRNAs were 1.7 and 1.5 h respectively. Nuclear run-on assays revealed the basis for the down-regulation of receptor expression, i.e. a sharp decline in the relative rate of transcription for the beta 1-adrenergic-receptor gene in nuclei from dexamethasone-treated as compared with vehicle-treated cells. These data demonstrate transcriptional suppression as a molecular explanation for glucocorticoid-induced down-regulation of beta 1-adrenergic receptors.

Cyclic AMP regulation of messenger RNA level of the stimulatory GTP-binding protein Gs alpha. Isoproterenol, forskolin and 8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate increase the level of Gs alpha mRNA in cultured astroglial cells

The existence of a cAMP-dependent regulation of the expression of the alpha-subunit of the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gs) in a well characterized astroglial cells culture was established. The culture of astroglial cells for 3-6 h with isoproterenol (10 microM) or forskolin (10 microM) (a cAMP-inducing agent) increased (200-400%) the response of adenylylcyclase to agents which bypass the receptor; GTP, GTP[S] or forskolin. For prolonged exposure times (15 h or more) to isoproterenol or forskolin, the adenylycyclase activity decreased to the value observed in control cells. The same biphasic response of adenylylcyclase to isoproterenol (10 microM) plus GTP (10 microM) occurred in membrane fractions from cells cultured with forskolin, whereas a diminished response to isoproterenol was observed in isoproterenol-treated cells, indicating that the beta-adrenergic receptor was desensitized. To understand the molecular mechanism of these phenomena, we measured the levels of the alpha subunits of the guanine-nucleotide binding protein (Gs and Gi) by Western-blot analysis. The culture of astroglial cells with isoproterenol or forskolin (3-24 h) resulted in a transient increase of both the Gs alpha and the Gi alpha protein levels, while the level of G beta subunits was unaffected. We also identified Gs alpha protein (about 40% of the total cellular protein) in the supernatant fraction of astroglial cells but its level was not modified by the stimulation of cells by forskolin. The level of Gs alpha mRNA measured by Northern-blot analysis was transiently increased (200%) after stimulation of astroglial cells with isoproterenol or forskolin for an incubation period of 6-9 h, then returned to that of control cells for longer period of time. In addition, the Gs alpha mRNA level was threefold increased when cells were cultured for 2-6 h with 8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (10 microM), a permeant analogue of cAMP. These results indicate that cAMP induces a time-dependent increase of Gs alpha mRNA. The half-life of Gs alpha protein and Gs alpha mRNA were determined. Pulse-chase studies revealed that the decay of Gs alpha protein was clearly biphasic with an early phase (5-6 h) and a slower second phase (20-25 h) but the treatment of cells with forskolin did not accelerate or slow down the turnover of Gs alpha protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Inconsistent divergence of mitochondrial DNA in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

We have recently shown that the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat differ at a frequency of 1 per 62 bases in their nuclear DNA (Hypertension 1992; 19:425-427). Given the origin of these strains this level of divergence was unexpected. To investigate the origin of this nuclear divergence we have examined mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA was isolated from SHR and WKY rats, digested with several restriction enzymes, electrophoresed in 1.0% agarose gels, and the fragments visualized with ethidium bromide staining. This approach allowed us to analyze 220 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA. No differences were detected between SHR and WKY rats. Comparison with the King-Holtzman rat strain produced differences at an average of 1 per 52 base pairs. We also examined several SHR and WKY rats from within our colonies and found no differences suggesting intrastrain homogeneity for mitochondrial DNA phenotypes. These data indicate that the SHR and WKY rat share a recent, common maternal ancestor. This result is consistent with the published origins of the SHR and WKY rat strains. Together with the nuclear divergence results, the data suggest that the original Wistar colony from which SHR and WKY rats were derived was probably highly polymorphic for nuclear genes.

An RNasin-resistant ribonuclease selective for interleukin 2 mRNA

Interleukin 2 (IL2) mRNA has a short half-life in the cytoplasm of T lymphocytes, relative to most mRNA. We have discovered a candidate ribonuclease to account for the rapid turnover of IL2 mRNA in the cytosol of the human T lymphocyte cell line Jurkat. In partially purified form, this RNase is about 7 times as active on IL2 as on beta-globin mRNA. Pancreatic RNase, by contrast, does not show a significant preference for IL2 mRNA. Neither 5' capping, nor polyadenylation of the substrate mRNAs affects their degradation by the IL2-selective mRNase, whose activity is optimal in 0.5 mM Mg++ and 100 mM potassium acetate. The mRNase behaves like a protein of molecular weight 60-70,000 on gel chromatography, and is unusual in that it is insensitive to placental RNase inhibitor (RNasin). The mRNase cleaves IL2 mRNA at a small number of sites in the coding region, and IL2 mRNA containing only the coding region and 36 nucleotides of the 3'-noncoding region competes efficiently with full-length IL2 mRNA for the mRNase, whereas beta-globin mRNA does not.

Genetic divergence between the Wistar-Kyoto rat and the spontaneously hypertensive rat

A method of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was used to estimate the amount of genetic divergence between the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) strain and the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) strain. DNA from each strain was digested with eight restriction endonucleases and hybridized with six single copy gene sequences. The number of hybridization bands in each digestion was used to estimate the total number of bases analyzed and RFLPs were scored as single mutations. Divergence was then estimated by dividing the number of mutations by the number of bases analyzed. In a total of 808 bases analyzed in WKY rats, a minimum of 13 mutations were scored in SHR, which yields a nucleotide divergence of 1 change per 62 bp. This is an extremely high amount of divergence given the known origin of these two strains and is comparable to the maximum divergence possible between unrelated humans.

Developmental regulation of GAP-43, glutamine synthetase and beta-actin mRNA in rat cortical astrocytes

Steady-state levels of mRNA encoding growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), glutamine synthetase (GS) and beta-actin were measured during development of neonatal rat cortical astrocytes in primary culture. GAP-43 mRNA and protein decreased rapidly during the first 2 weeks and slowly thereafter. In contrast, GS mRNA increased approximately 3-fold during the first 2 weeks and reached maximum by day 15. Actin mRNA first increased up to 8 days and decreased thereafter reaching a constant amount of 15 days, similar to the initial low value. Thus, GAP-43, GS and beta-actin mRNA levels are differentially regulated during development of astrocytes in primary culture. Because the patterns of expression of astrocytic markers GS and GFAP (shown previously) in vitro and in vivo are similar to each other, primary cultures of astrocytes may be an excellent system for investigating mechanisms of developmental regulation of these genes.

The kinetics of mammalian gene expression

When rates of transcription from specific genes change, delays of variable length intervene before the corresponding mRNAs and proteins attain new levels. For most mammalian genes, the time required to complete transcription, processing, and transport of mRNA is much shorter than the period needed to achieve a new, steady-state level of protein. Studies of inducible genes have shown that the period required to attain new levels of individual mRNAs and proteins is related to their unique half-lives. The basis for this is a physical principle that predicts rates of accumulation of particles in compartmental systems. The minimum period required to achieve a new level is directly proportional to product half-lives because rates of decay control the ratio between the rate of synthesis and the concentration of gene products at steady state. This kinetic model suggests that sensitivity of gene products to degradation by ribonucleases and proteinases is an important determinant of the time scale of gene expression.

Glucocorticoids induce transcription and expression of the alpha 1B adrenergic receptor gene in DTT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells

Steroid hormones modulate physiological processes by a number of mechanisms including regulation of gene expression. We wondered if glucocorticoids might induce expression of alpha 1 adrenergic receptors, which could contribute to the increased sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle to catecholamines that may occur with glucocorticoid excess. We examined the effects of dexamethasone on the expression of the alpha 1B adrenergic receptor gene in DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells. Dexamethasone (10(-6) M) produced a 1.8 +/- 0.2-fold increase in expression of alpha 1B receptors determined with [3H]prazosin. Steady-state values of alpha 1B adrenergic receptor mRNA, analyzed by Northern blotting, increased 2.8 +/- 0.7-fold after 48 h exposure to dexamethasone. This effect of dexamethasone occurred in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. alpha 1B receptor mRNA abundance was also increased by testosterone and aldosterone, whereas beta estradiol and progesterone had no effect. The alpha 1B receptor gene transcription rate, determined in nuclear run-off assays, increased 2.6 +/- 0.6-fold in cells treated with dexamethasone for 24 h. The half-life of the alpha 1B receptor mRNA was unchanged by dexamethasone. These data indicate that glucocorticoids regulate expression of alpha 1B receptors by increasing the rate of transcription of this gene.

Structure and time-dependent behavior of acetylated and non-acetylated forms of a molluscan metallothionein

Cadmium-induced metallothionein in a mollusc, the oyster Crassostrea virginica, occurs in both blocked and unblocked forms (Roesijadi, G., Kielland, S.L. and Klerks, P. (1989) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 273, 403-413). The block, which is the sole difference in the structure of the two proteins, was identified as an acetyl group with use of tandem mass spectrometry. The blocked and unblocked proteins carried N-acetylserine and serine, respectively, at the N-terminus and were designated CvNAcMT and CvMT. Only CvNAcMT was detected under basal conditions. Both forms were induced by Cd. Pulse-labeling with [35S]cyteine at specified times during exposure showed that the rate of CvNAcMT synthesis in gills increased rapidly, initially exceeding that of CvMT, then declined to the rate attained by CvMT. Turnover rates for Cd-induced CvMT and CvNAcMT were similar to each other. They appeared to be faster when measured in the absence of Cd in the external medium (k = 0.18 and 0.16/day, respectively), than in its presence (k = 0.03 and 0.06/day, respectively).

Newly synthesized RNA: simultaneous measurement in intact cells of transcription rates and RNA stability of insulin-like growth factor I, actin, and albumin in growth hormone-stimulated hepatocytes

The levels of several RNA transcripts in cultured hepatocytes are regulated by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms and are affected by growth hormone and insulin. We assessed the effects of these hormones on transcription rates and the stability of insulin-like growth factor I, actin, and albumin transcripts in intact cells of primary cultures of rat hepatocytes by analyzing thiol-labeled, newly synthesized RNA isolated by mercurated agarose affinity chromatography. The application of this concept to the measurement of transcript stability is presented in detail. The data indicate that growth hormone stimulates the transcription rates of insulin-like growth factor I, actin, and albumin genes. The stability of all three transcripts, particularly albumin, appears to be lower in growth hormone-containing medium than it is in insulin-containing medium. The experiments indicate that the rates of transcription and/or degradation of albumin mRNA are influenced by hormonal treatment. However, the cells maintain roughly constant albumin transcript levels independent of hormone treatment by compensatory changes in the rates of transcription and degradation.

Interferon-regulatory factor 1 is an immediate-early gene under transcriptional regulation by prolactin in Nb2 T cells

The pituitary peptide hormone prolactin (Prl) is a potent inducer of Nb2 T lymphoma cell proliferation. To analyze the early genetic response to the mitogenic signals of Prl, a cDNA library was constructed from Nb2 T cells stimulated for 4 h with Prl and the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Of 26 distinct clones isolated by differential screening, one clone, designated c25, exhibited extremely rapid but transient kinetics of induction by Prl and superinduction by Prl plus cycloheximide. Run-on transcription analysis indicated that c25 gene transcription was induced greater than 20-fold within 30 to 60 min of Prl stimulation. Surprisingly, DNA sequence analysis of c25 cDNA revealed that this Prl-inducible early-response gene is the rat homolog of the mouse transcription factor interferon-regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1), sharing 91% coding sequence similarity with mouse IRF-1. At the protein level, rat IRF-1 shares 97% and 92% homology with mouse IRF-1 and human IRF-1, respectively, suggesting that this molecule has been functionally conserved throughout evolution. Our studies show that the gene for IRF-1 is an immediate-early gene in Prl-stimulated T cells, which suggests that IRF-1 is a multifunctional molecule. In addition to its role in regulating growth-inhibitory interferon genes, IRF-1 may, therefore, also play a stimulatory role in cell proliferation. The gene for IRF-1 is one of the earliest genes known to be transcriptionally regulated by Prl.

Interferon-regulatory factor 1 is an immediate-early gene under transcriptional regulation by prolactin in Nb2 T cells

The pituitary peptide hormone prolactin (Prl) is a potent inducer of Nb2 T lymphoma cell proliferation. To analyze the early genetic response to the mitogenic signals of Prl, a cDNA library was constructed from Nb2 T cells stimulated for 4 h with Prl and the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Of 26 distinct clones isolated by differential screening, one clone, designated c25, exhibited extremely rapid but transient kinetics of induction by Prl and superinduction by Prl plus cycloheximide. Run-on transcription analysis indicated that c25 gene transcription was induced greater than 20-fold within 30 to 60 min of Prl stimulation. Surprisingly, DNA sequence analysis of c25 cDNA revealed that this Prl-inducible early-response gene is the rat homolog of the mouse transcription factor interferon-regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1), sharing 91% coding sequence similarity with mouse IRF-1. At the protein level, rat IRF-1 shares 97% and 92% homology with mouse IRF-1 and human IRF-1, respectively, suggesting that this molecule has been functionally conserved throughout evolution. Our studies show that the gene for IRF-1 is an immediate-early gene in Prl-stimulated T cells, which suggests that IRF-1 is a multifunctional molecule. In addition to its role in regulating growth-inhibitory interferon genes, IRF-1 may, therefore, also play a stimulatory role in cell proliferation. The gene for IRF-1 is one of the earliest genes known to be transcriptionally regulated by Prl.

Hormonal regulation of stability of glutamine synthetase mRNA in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes

In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, glutamine synthetase (GS; EC 6.3.1.2) is subject to regulation by dexamethasone, insulin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP). Dexamethasone increases GS-mRNA content and GS-gene transcription, whereas insulin and Bt2cAMP prevent these increases. The effects of these modulators on the control of GS-mRNA stability were investigated. We report here that GS mRNA has a half-life of about 110 min. Bt2cAMP increases GS-mRNA degradation by greater than 2-fold (half-life 50 min), whereas insulin or dexamethasone have little effect on GS-mRNA stability. Down-regulation of GS-gene expression by Bt2cAMP will involve a co-ordinate response at the level of gene transcription and mRNA stability. However, the molecular mechanisms by which insulin and dexamethasone regulate GS-gene expression in cultured adipocytes remains to be elucidated.

Both cell substratum regulation and hormonal regulation of milk protein gene expression are exerted primarily at the posttranscriptional level

The mechanism by which individual peptide and steroid hormones and cell-substratum interactions regulate milk protein gene expression has been studied in the COMMA-D mammary epithelial cell line. In the presence of insulin, hydrocortisone, and prolactin, growth of COMMA-D cells on floating collagen gels in comparison with that on a plastic substratum resulted in a 2.5- to 3-fold increase in the relative rate of beta-casein gene transcription but a 37-fold increase in beta-casein mRNA accumulation. In contrast, whey acidic protein gene transcription was constitutive in COMMA-D cells grown on either substratum, but its mRNA was unstable and little intact mature mRNA was detected. Culturing COMMA-D cells on collagen also promoted increased expression of other genes expressed in differentiated mammary epithelial cells, including those encoding alpha- and gamma-casein, transferrin, malic enzyme, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase but decreased the expression of actin and histone genes. Using COMMA-D cells, we defined further the role of individual hormones in influencing beta-casein gene transcription. With insulin alone, a basal level of beta-casein gene transcription was detected in COMMA-D cells grown on floating collagen gels. Addition of prolactin but not hydrocortisone resulted in a 2.5- to 3.0-fold increase in beta-casein gene transcription, but both hormones were required to elicit the maximal 73-fold induction in mRNA accumulation. This posttranscriptional effect of hormones on casein mRNA accumulation preceded any detectable changes in the relative rate of transcription. Thus, regulation by both hormones and cell substratum of casein gene expression is exerted primarily at the post transcriptional level.

Estrogen-dependent activation of the avian very low density apolipoprotein II and vitellogenin genes. Transient alterations in mRNA polyadenylation and stability early during induction

Administration of estrogen to egg-laying vertebrates activates unscheduled, hepatic expression of major, egg-yolk protein genes in immature animals and mature males. Two avian yolk protein genes, encoding very low density apolipoprotein II (apoVLDLII) and vitellogenin II, are dormant prior to stimulation with estrogen, but within three days their cognate mRNAs accumulate to become two of the most abundant species in the liver. Accumulation of these mRNAs has been attributed to both induction of transcription and selective, estrogen-dependent mRNA stabilization. We have detected alterations in the size of apoVLDLII mRNA that occur during the first 24 hours that are attributable to a shift in the extent of polyadenylation as steady-state is approached. In vitro transcription assays indicate that primary activation of both genes takes place relatively slowly and that maximal rates of mRNA accumulation occur when the apoVLDLII and vitellogenin II genes are expressed at only 30% and 10% of their fully induced levels, respectively. Transcription data combined with the structural alteration of apoVLDLII mRNA suggest that stability of the two mRNAs may change as steady-state is approached. We have assessed the compatibility of this suggestion with earlier estimates of the kinetics of accumulation of both mRNAs by developing a generally useful algorithm that predicts approach to steady-state kinetics under conditions where both the rate of synthesis and mRNA stability change throughout the accumulation phase of the response. The results predict that the stability of both mRNAs decreases by at least two- to threefold during the approach to steady-state and that, although an additional destabilization of apoVLDLII mRNA may occur following withdrawal of estrogen, the steady-state stability of vitellogenin mRNA is not significantly decreased upon removal of hormone.

Both cell substratum regulation and hormonal regulation of milk protein gene expression are exerted primarily at the posttranscriptional level

The mechanism by which individual peptide and steroid hormones and cell-substratum interactions regulate milk protein gene expression has been studied in the COMMA-D mammary epithelial cell line. In the presence of insulin, hydrocortisone, and prolactin, growth of COMMA-D cells on floating collagen gels in comparison with that on a plastic substratum resulted in a 2.5- to 3-fold increase in the relative rate of beta-casein gene transcription but a 37-fold increase in beta-casein mRNA accumulation. In contrast, whey acidic protein gene transcription was constitutive in COMMA-D cells grown on either substratum, but its mRNA was unstable and little intact mature mRNA was detected. Culturing COMMA-D cells on collagen also promoted increased expression of other genes expressed in differentiated mammary epithelial cells, including those encoding alpha- and gamma-casein, transferrin, malic enzyme, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase but decreased the expression of actin and histone genes. Using COMMA-D cells, we defined further the role of individual hormones in influencing beta-casein gene transcription. With insulin alone, a basal level of beta-casein gene transcription was detected in COMMA-D cells grown on floating collagen gels. Addition of prolactin but not hydrocortisone resulted in a 2.5- to 3.0-fold increase in beta-casein gene transcription, but both hormones were required to elicit the maximal 73-fold induction in mRNA accumulation. This posttranscriptional effect of hormones on casein mRNA accumulation preceded any detectable changes in the relative rate of transcription. Thus, regulation by both hormones and cell substratum of casein gene expression is exerted primarily at the post transcriptional level.

Two genetic loci participate in the regulation by iron of the gene for the human transferrin receptor

Iron regulation of the human transferrin receptor gene was examined in murine cells transformed with chimeric constructs containing the human transferrin receptor gene's promoter and either the structural gene for bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase or the human transferrin receptor cDNA. The activity of the transferrin receptor gene's promoter with the heterologous indicator gene was found to be approximately equal to 3-fold higher in cells treated with the iron chelator desferrioxamine than in cells treated with the iron source, hemin. A higher degree of iron regulation was seen in the expression of the human transferrin receptor cDNA driven by its own promoter. The receptor cDNA under the control of the simian virus 40 early promoter was also iron-regulated. Several human transferrin receptor transcripts differing in their 3' end were produced in the murine cells regardless of the promoter used, with the shorter transcripts being relatively unregulated by iron. Deletion of cDNA corresponding to most of the 3' untranslated portion of the mRNA for the receptor ablated the iron regulation. We conclude that at least two genetic elements exist for the regulation of the transferrin receptor gene by iron. One has its locus in the DNA upstream of the transferrin receptor gene's transcription start site, and the other is dependent upon the integrity of the sequences in the 3' end of the gene.

Use of molecular probes in the study of endocrine diseases

DNA hybridization techniques are now commonly used in studies of endocrine disease. Although solution and filter hybridization have been more widely used in endocrine studies, ISH offers many advantages to the pathologist. Individual cells can be visualized directly with the microscope to study the expression of specific gene products. ISH is somewhat similar to immunohistochemistry and can be set up rapidly in most histology laboratories, especially when nonradioactive biotinylated probes are used. The ability to combine ISH with immunochemical techniques offers to the pathologist the use of two powerful diagnostic tools simultaneously. Although DNA hybridization has only begun to have an impact in diagnostic pathology, many studies using this technique in the diagnosis of endocrine diseases are emerging. The availability of more probes, especially with nonradioactive detection systems, should accelerate the application of these techniques in diagnostic pathology. As the number of molecular probes available for hybridization studies increases, pathologists can have a major impact in this field by carefully evaluating probes that have potential diagnostic value for their specificity and sensitivity in a wide variety of normal and abnormal human tissues. Such careful and critical analyses will contribute greatly to the confidence with which these molecular probes can be used as another tool in the analysis of difficult diagnostic lesions. Molecular hybridization techniques will also contribute greatly to our knowledge of basic biology and pathophysiology in the study of abnormal gene expression in endocrine and other pathologic conditions.

Transcriptional regulation by iron of the gene for the transferrin receptor

Treatment of K562 cells with desferrioxamine, a permeable iron chelator, led to an increase in the number of transferrin receptors. Increasing intracellular iron levels by treatment of cells with either human diferric transferrin or hemin lowered the level of the transferrin receptors. By using a cDNA clone of the human transferrin receptor, we showed that the changes in the levels of the receptor by iron were accompanied by alterations in the levels of the mRNA for the receptor. The rapidity of these changes indicated that the mRNA had a very short half-life. By using an in vitro transcriptional assay with isolated nuclei, we obtained evidence that this regulation occurred at the transcriptional level.

A comparative study of the regulation of cytochrome P-450 and glutathione transferase gene expression in rat liver

A cDNA clone for the Ya subunit of glutathione transferase from rat liver was constructed in E. coli. The clone hybridized to Ya and Yc subunit messenger RNAs. On the basis of experiments involving cell-free translation and hybridization to the cloned probe, it was shown that prototype inducers of cytochrome P-450 such as phenobarbitone and 3-methylcholanthrene as well as inhibitors such as CoCl2 and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole enhanced the glutathione transferase (Ya+Yc) messenger RNA contents in rat liver. A comparative study with the induction of cytochrome P-450 (b+e) by phenobarbitone revealed that the drug manifested a striking increase in the nuclear pre-messenger RNAs for the cytochrome at 12 hr, but did not significantly affect the same in the case of glutathione transferase (Ya+Yc). 3-Amino-1,2,4-triazole and CoCl2 blocked the phenobarbitone mediated increase in cytochrome P-450 (b+e) nuclear pre-messenger RNAs. These compounds did not significantly affect the glutathione transferase (Ya+Yc) nuclear pre-messenger RNA levels. The polysomal, poly (A)- containing messenger RNAs for cytochrome P-450 (b+e) increased by 12-15 fold after phenobarbitone administration, reached a maximum around 16 hr and then decreased sharply. In comparison, the increase in the case a glutathione transferase (Ya+Yc) messenger RNAs was sluggish and steady and a value of 3-4 fold was reached around 24 hr. Run-off transcription rates for cytochrome P-450 (b+e) increased by nearly 15 fold in 4 hr after phenobarbitone administration, whereas the increase for glutathione transferase (Ya+Yc) was only 2.0 fold. At 12 hr after the drug administration, the glutathione transferase (Ya+Yc) transcription rates were near normal. Administration of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole and CoCl2 blocked the phenobarbitone-mediated increase in the transcription of cytochrome P-450 (b+e) messenger RNAs. These compounds at best had only marginal effects on the transcription of glutathione transferase (Ya+Yc) messenger RNAs. The half-life of cytochrome P-450 (b+e) messenger RNA was estimated to be 3-4 hr, whereas that for glutathione transferase (Ya+Yc) was found to be 8-9 hr. Administration of phenobarbitone enhanced the half-life of glutathione transferase (Ya+Yc) messenger RNA by nearly two fold. It is suggested that while transcription activation may play a primary role in the induction of cytochrome P-450 (b+e), the induction of glutathione transferase (Ya+Yc) may essentially involve stabilization of the messenger RNAs.