Biomedical subjects

Y Oiso

Publications and source records attributed to Y Oiso.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Aldose reductase gene is associated with diabetic macroangiopathy in Japanese Type 2 diabetic patients.

AIMS: The aldose reductase (AR) gene, a rate-limiting enzyme of the polyol pathway, has been investigated as a candidate gene in determining susceptibility to diabetic microangiopathy. However, the association of the AR gene with diabetic macroangiopathy has not been investigated. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine whether genetic variations of AR may determine susceptibility to diabetic macroangiopathy. METHODS: There were 378 Type 2 diabetic patients enrolled in this study. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region (C-106T) was genotyped and the AR protein content of erythrocytes measured by ELISA. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in genotypic or allelic distribution in patients with or without ischaemic heart diseases, but there was a significant increase in the frequency of the CT + TT genotype and T allele in patients with stroke (P = 0.019 and P = 0.012). The erythrocyte AR protein content was increased in patients with the CT and TT genotype compared with those with the CC genotype. After adjustment for age, duration of diabetes, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, HbA1c, and serum creatinine, triglycerides, and total cholesterol in multivariate logistic-regression models, the association between this AR genotype and stroke remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the CT or TT genotype of the AR gene might be a genetic marker of susceptibility to stroke in Type 2 diabetic patients. This observation might contribute to the development of strategies for the prevention of stroke in Type 2 diabetic patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Human proinsulin C-peptide prevents proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells cultured in high-glucose conditions.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Proinsulin C-peptide is involved in several biological activities. However, the role of C-peptide in vascular smooth muscle cells is unclear. We therefore investigated its effects, in vascular smooth muscle cells in high-glucose conditions. METHODS: Rat aortic smooth muscle cells were cultured with 5.5 or 20 mmol/l glucose with or without C-peptide (1 to 100 nmol/l) for 3 weeks. Proliferation activities, the protein expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-beta receptor, the phosphorylation of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, and glucose uptake were measured. RESULTS: The proliferation activities increased approximately three-fold under high-glucose conditions (p<0.05). C-peptide suppressed hyperproliferation activities that were induced by high glucose. This happened in a dose-dependent manner from 1 to 100 nmol/l of C-peptide. C-peptide (10 and 100 nmol/l) inhibited the increased protein expression of PDGF-beta receptor and the phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAP kinases that had been induced by high glucose (p<0.05). Furthermore, 100 nmol/l of C-peptide augmented the impaired glucose uptake in the high-glucose conditions. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These observations suggest that C-peptide could prevent diabetic macroangiopathy by inhibiting smooth muscle cell growth and ameliorating glucose utilisation in smooth muscle cells. C-peptide may thus be a novel agent for treating diabetic macroangiopathy in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

A novel deletion mutation in the arginine vasopressin receptor 2 gene and skewed X chromosome inactivation in a female patient with congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a rare inherited disorder caused by mutations in the arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (V2R) gene. The clinical phenotype is fully expressed in hemizygous male patients and is usually asymptomatic in heterozygous females. In the present study, a 51-yr-old Japanese female with congenital NDI and her family members were examined. The patient developed severe hypernatremia accompanied by hypoosmotic polyuria after gynecological surgery, and was unable to concentrate urinary osmolality in response to exogenous vasopressin. Direct sequencing analysis of the propositus and her two affected sons revealed a two-nucleotide deletion change at codon 30 (g.452-453delAC) in the V2R gene, resulting in a frameshift and premature termination in translation at codon 190. The X chromosome inactivation pattern was investigated in the propositus using methylation analysis of the polymorphic CAG repeat in the androgen receptor gene, and the value for relative X chromosome inactivation of one allele was 70.2%. In conclusion, we identified a novel V2R gene mutation in a female patient and her sons with congenital NDI, and her phenotype may be caused by skewed X chromosome inactivation.

Chromosomes, Human, X↗

PubMed2004

Calcium/calmodulin kinase IV pathway is involved in the transcriptional regulation of the corticotropin-releasing hormone gene promoter in neuronal cells.

Although corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, the mechanism of CRH gene expression in the neuronal cell is not completely understood. In this study, we examined the transcriptional regulation of human CRH gene 5'-promoter, using a human BE(2)C neuroblastoma cell line expressing intrinsic CRH. In particular, we focused on the involvement of calmodulin kinases (CaMKs), which are known to play an important role in excitation-induced gene expression through the rise in intracellular calcium in the central nervous system. RT-PCR analysis confirmed the expression of CaMK as well as CRH mRNA in BE(2)C cells. When we introduced approximately 1.1 kb of the 5'-promoter region of the human CRH fused with luciferase reporter gene into the cells, a substantial transcriptional activity was observed, and this was further increased by the activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway. We then examined the effect of activation of CaMKs by introducing the expression vectors of each kinase, revealing a potent stimulatory effect of CaMKIV, but no effect of CaMKII. Depolarization of the cells caused an increase in CRH promoter activity, which was completely abolished by the treatment with the CaMK antagonist K252a. Interestingly, KCREB, a dominant negative form of CREB, antagonized the effect of the CaMKIV-mediated effect. Altogether, we conclude that not only the cAMP/PKA but also the calcium/CaMKIV signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of CRH gene expression. Furthermore, CREB is thought to be involved in CaMK- as well as cAMP/PKA-mediated CRH gene expression. Since the CRH gene is expressed in the neuronal cells of the hypothalamus, the calcium/CaMKIV signaling pathway may play an important role in the excitation-mediated regulation of CRH synthesis.

Calcium↗

PubMed2003

Suppressive effects of a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor on pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease characterized by dysfunction and destruction of the pancreatic beta cells. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) has been reported to cause suppression of insulin secretion from pancreatic islets via induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) followed by nitric oxide (NO) production. In this study, we investigated the effects of inhibition of iNOS on pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice and IL-1beta-treated isolated rat pancreatic islets using a novel specific inhibitor, ONO-1714. METHODS: Female NOD mice which received subcutaneous infusion of ONO-1714 (4 microg/kg/day or 40 microg/kg/day) from 10 to 14 weeks after birth were compared with untreated NOD mice. In addition, pancreatic islets were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured for 24 h with IL-1beta (100 U/mL) with or without ONO-1714 or the non-selective NOS inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). We measured insulin secretion and insulin content of the islets by ELISA, iNOS mRNA expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and NO generation by Griess Reagent System. RESULTS: Hyperglycaemia was observed in NOD mice. ONO-1714 treatment blunted this increase and tended to preserve insulin secretion, although body weight increase did not differ between the groups. Insulitis was also attenuated in the ONO-1714-administered group compared to the control group. Furthermore, in isolated rat pancreatic islets ONO-1714 prevented IL-1beta-induced inhibition of insulin secretion, this protection being evident in much lower concentrations than with L-NMMA. While ONO-1714 completely inhibited IL-1beta-induced NO production, it did not reduce expression of islet iNOS mRNA. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: These findings indicate that ONO-1714 is promising as a therapeutic agent for autoimmune diabetes.

Amidines↗

PubMed2003

Contrasting effects of triiodothyronine on heat shock protein 27 induction and vascular endothelial growth factor synthesis stimulated by TGF-beta in osteoblasts.

In osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, we recently reported that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) stimulates the induction of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27). In the present study, we investigated the effects of triiodothyronine (T(3)) on the TGF-beta-stimulated induction of HSP27 and synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in these cells. T(3) by itself had little effect on the level of HSP27, however, it significantly reduced the TGF-beta-stimulated HSP27 accumulation in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 1 pM and 100 nM. The TGF-beta-stimulated increase in the level of mRNA for HSP27 was also attenuated by T(3). On the other hand, T(3), which alone stimulated the release of VEGF, more than additively stimulated the TGF-beta-induced VEGF release. T(3) enhanced the TGF-beta-induced increase in the levels of mRNA for VEGF. These results strongly suggest that T(3) has contrasting effects on HSP27 induction and VEGF synthesis induced by TGF-beta in osteoblasts.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Stimulatory effect of prostaglandin F(2alpha) on Na-dependent phosphate transport in osteoblast-like cells.

Prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) has been reported to activate protein kinase C (PKC) through both phospholipase (PL) C and D, resulting in the proliferation of osteoblast-like cells. In addition, it has also been reported that Erk mitogen-activated protein kinase is also involved in the mechanism of PGF(2alpha)-induced proliferation of these cells. Recently, we have reported that several growth factors stimulate Na-dependent phosphate transport (Pi transport) activity of osteoblast-like cells, which has been recognized to play an important role in their mineralization. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PGF(2alpha) on Pi transport in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells. PGF(2alpha) stimulated Na-dependent Pi transport dose dependently in the range between 1nM and 10 micro M in MC3T3-E1 cells. The effect was time dependent up to 24h. Kinetic analysis revealed that PGF(2alpha) induces newly synthesized Pi transporter. Pretreatment with actinomycin D and cycloheximide suppressed PGF(2alpha)-induced enhancement of Pi transport. Combined effect of PMA and PGF(2alpha) was not additive in Pi transport. Calphostin C, a PKC inhibitor, dose-dependently suppressed Pi transport induced by PGF(2alpha). On the contrary, U0126, which inhibits an upstream kinase of Erk (MEK), did not affect PGF(2alpha)-induced enhancement of Pi transport. In conclusion, PGF(2alpha) stimulates Pi transport through activation of PKC in osteoblast-like cells.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2003

Involvement of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase in endothelin-1-induced heat shock protein 27 in osteoblasts.

OBJECTIVE: We have reported that endothelin-1 (ET-1) activates p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase through protein kinase C in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, and that p38 MAP kinase plays a role in the ET-1-induced heat shock protein 27 (HSP27). Recently, we found that stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) is activated by ET-1 in these cells. In the present study, we have investigated the involvement of SAPK/JNK in ET-1-induced HSP27 in MC3T3-E1 cells. METHODS: The concentration of HSP27 in soluble extracts of the cells, the expression of mRNA for HSP27, and the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK were determined by an enzyme immunoassay, Northern blot analysis, and Western blot analysis respectively. RESULTS: SP600125, a specific inhibitor of SAPK/JNK, markedly reduced ET-1-stimulated HSP27 accumulation. The inhibitory effect of SP600125 was dose dependent in the range between 1 and 50 microM. SP600125 reduced the ET-1-increased level of HSP27 mRNA. Calphostin C and Go 6976, inhibitors of protein kinase C, reduced the ET-1-induced phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a direct activator of protein kinase C, induced SAPK/JNK phosphorylation, which was suppressed by SP600125. A combination of SP600125 and p38 MAP kinase inhibitor such as SB203580 and PD169316 additively reduced the ET-1-stimulated accumulation of HSP27. CONCLUSIONS: These results strongly suggest that JNK plays a part in ET-1-induced HSP27 in addition to p38 MAP kinase in osteoblasts.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

The effects of GH-releasing hormone/somatostatin on the 5'-promoter activity of the GH gene in vitro.

The two hypothalamic hormones, GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SRIF), are known to regulate GH secretion. However, the effects of these hormones on GH gene expression are not completely clear, partly because of the lack of appropriate host cells maintaining the original characteristics of the somatotroph. Since MtT/S, a pure somatotroph cell line, has become available, the effects of GHRH and SRIF on GH gene transcription have been studied using a subclone of MtT/S (MtT/SGL), in which the GH gene 5'-promoter-luciferase fusion gene was stably incorporated. The expression of GHRH receptor and SRIF receptor subtypes was also studied by RT-PCR. The results showed that MtT/SGL cells intrinsically expressed the functional GHRH receptor and all of the SRIF receptor subtypes. The expression of GHRH receptor was markedly enhanced by glucocorticoid pretreatment and, in the presence of corticosterone and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, GHRH (at or above 100 pM) stimulated GH gene 5'-promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, SRIF (100 nM) significantly antagonized the effect of GHRH, which was completely reversed by pretreatment with pertussis toxin (50 ng/ml). Taken together, the present data indicated that both GHRH and SRIF are involved in the transcriptional regulation of the GH gene, and that the effect of SRIF is mediated through pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein. The MtT/SGL cell line is a good in vitro model for studying the molecular mechanisms of GH gene transcription by GHRH and/or SRIF.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

PubMed2003

Involvement of SAPK/JNK in basic fibroblast growth factor-induced vascular endothelial growth factor release in osteoblasts.

We previously reported that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) activates p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase resulting in the stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and that FGF-2-activated p38 MAP kinase negatively regulates VEGF release. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) in FGF-2-induced VEGF release in these cells. FGF-2 markedly induced the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK. SP600125, an inhibitor of SAPK/JNK, markedly reduced the FGF-2-induced VEGF release. SP600125 suppressed the FGF-2-induced phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK without affecting the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase or p38 MAP kinase induced by FGF-2. PD98059, an inhibitor of upstream kinase of p44/p42 MAP kinase, or SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, failed to affect the FGF-2-induced phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK. A combination of SP600125 and SB203580 suppressed the FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release in an additive manner. These results strongly suggest that FGF-2 activates SAPK/JNK in osteoblasts, and that SAPK/JNK plays a part in FGF-2-induced VEGF release.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Evidence for a role of p38 MAP kinase in expression of alkaline phosphatase during osteoblastic cell differentiation.

In the present study, we investigate the implication of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) Erk, p38, and JNK in mediating the effect of fetal calf serum (FCS) on the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells. Erk is stimulated by FCS in proliferating, early-differentiating, as well as in mature cells. Activation of p38 by FCS is not detected in proliferating cells but is observed as the cells differentiate. JNK is activated in response to FCS throughout the entire differentiation process, but a maximal stimulation is observed in early differentiating cells. The roles of Erk and p38 pathways in mediating MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation was determined using specific inhibitors such as U0126 and SB203580, respectively. These experiments confirmed that the Erk pathway is essential for mediating cell proliferation in response to FCS, but indicated that this MAP kinase has little effect in regulating the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. In contrast, p38 only marginally influenced proliferation, but appeared to be critical for the control of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression in differentiating cells. Finally, results obtained with high doses of SB203580, which also affected JNK activity, suggest that p38 and/or JNK are probably also involved in the control of type 1 collagen and osteocalcin expression in differentiating cells. The data indicate that MAPKs regulate different stages of MC3T3-E1 cell development in response to FCS. Distinct MAPK pathways seem to independently modulate osteoblastic cell proliferation and differentiation, with Erk playing an essential role in cell replication, whereas p38 is involved in the regulation of ALP expression during osteoblastic cell differentiation. JNK is also probably involved in the regulation of osteoblastic cell differentiation, but its precise role requires further investigation.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2002

Age of onset possibly associated with the degree of heteroplasmy in two male siblings with diabetes mellitus having an A to G transition at 3243 of mitochondrial DNA.

We describe two male siblings with diabetes mellitus caused by mitochondrial 3243 mutation. The level of heteroplasmy in peripheral blood leucocytes was determined by a last-cycle hot PCR method. The younger brother, who had 39% heteroplasmy, developed diabetes at age of 25, and demonstrated a lean body habitus and blunted insulin secretion. The elder brother, who had 22% heteroplasmy, was diagnosed at the age of 42. The younger brother showed a higher increment of serum lactate after exercise. In these siblings the level of heteroplasmy in their peripheral blood leucocytes appeared to be associated with age of onset of diabetes.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Adaptation to sustained high plasma vasopressin in water and electrolyte homeostasis in the rat transgenic for the metallothionein-vasopressin fusion gene.

Prolonged exposure of tissues to a receptor agonist often leads to adaptive changes that limit the subsequent responsiveness of the tissue to the same agonist. Recently, we have generated rats transgenic for the metallothionein I-human arginine vasopressin (AVP) fusion gene (Tg), which produced high plasma AVP with relatively preserved renal water excretion, suggesting that there might be adaptive mechanism(s) for maintaining water and electrolyte homeostasis against chronic AVP oversecretion from the earliest stage of life. In this study, to investigate whether down-regulation of AVP V2 receptor (V2R), which could possibly be caused by long-standing high plasma AVP, participates in this adaptive mechanism(s), non-peptidic V2R antagonist OPC31260 was administered to reverse the down-regulation, and water loading was performed after V2R antagonist treatment had been withdrawn. Additionally, to confirm the down-regulation, Northern blotting analysis for V2R mRNA was carried out. Tg rats showed slightly decreased urine volume and water intake with an equivalent plasma [Na(+)] level (Tg 140.4 +/- 0.6 mEq/l; control 139.3 +/- 0.6 mEq/l) under basal conditions. After water loading using a liquid diet containing zinc, which stimulates the promoter region in the transgene, the urine increase showed only limited suppression with a dramatically increased plasma AVP level and mild hyponatremia (135.8 +/- 1.8 mEq/l) in Tg rats. When diet containing OPC31260 had been provided for 4 days until the day before the start of water loading, antidiuresis and hyponatremia (125.4 +/- 1.mEq/l) were significantly potentiated. V2R mRNA expression in kidney was significantly less in Tg rats than in control rats under basal conditions, and this suppression was restored by OPC31260 treatment to levels comparable with those of control rats. These results suggest that long-standing high plasma AVP causes V2R down-regulation, and it may play an important role in the adaptive mechanism(s) for maintaining water and electrolyte homeostasis in chronically AVP-overexpressing rats.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2002

Overexpression of vasopressin in the rat transgenic for the metallothionein-vasopressin fusion gene.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a major antidiuretic hormone, the overproduction of which causes diluting hyponatremia in humans and is called the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD). To study physiological changes resulting from AVP overproduction and to develop an animal model of hyponatremia, the human AVP gene was expressed under the control of the metallothionein promoter in transgenic (Tg) rats. Analyses of AVP immunoreactivity (irAVP) in the tissues revealed that the transgene is expressed mainly in the central nervous system. Gel filtration showed that irAVP in the brain and plasma was properly processed AVP. AVP purified from the brains of both Tg and control rats also exerted equal bioactivity to generate cAMP in LLC-PK1 cells. The founder rats did not show any physical or anatomical abnormalities. Under basal conditions, Tg rats had high plasma AVP levels (Tg 13.8 +/- 2.5 pg/ml; control 2.7 +/- 1.2 pg/ml; n=6 in both groups; means +/- S.E.M.), decreased urine volume, and normal plasma [Na(+)]. Hypertonic saline injected i.p. did not affect AVP secretion in Tg rats. In response to a zinc-supplemented liquid diet, plasma AVP decreased in control rats, but increased in Tg rats (Tg 32.7 +/- 2.7 pg/ml; control 1.0+/-0.1 pg/ml; n=6), resulting in hyponatremia (Tg 135.2 +/- 2.5 mEq/l; control 140.8 +/- 0.4 mEq/l; n=6). To our knowledge, this is the first transgenic animal to show diluting hyponatremia. This transgenic rat may therefore provide a useful model in which to investigate various physiological alterations resulting from the oversecretion of AVP which involve SIAD, stress response, behavior, and blood pressure.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Polyamine regulation of the rat pro-opiomelanocortin gene expression in AtT-20 cells.

Polyamines are a ubiquitous group of amines that play diverse biological roles. In the anterior pituitary, intracellular polyamine levels are reported to show diurnal changes, although the biological significance remains to be elucidated. In this study, we examined the effects of polyamines on the transcriptional activity of the rat pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene using AtT20PL, a clone of the AtT20 cell line in which an approximately 0.7 kb of the rat POMC 5' promoter-luciferase fusion gene was stably incorporated. The results showed that three representative polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) all stimulated POMC promoter activity in a time- and dose-related manner, spermine showing the most potent effect (maximum approximate three-fold increase). This effect was not observed under treatment with actinomycin D, suggesting the effect of polyamine at the transcriptional level. On the other hand, methylglyoxal bis (guanylhydrazone), an inhibitor of polyamine synthesis, showed the opposite effect, further supporting the positive role of intracellular polyamines. Taken together, our findings suggest that polyamines are involved in the regulation of POMC gene expression (especially in terms of diurnal changes) in corticotroph cells. The precise molecular mechanisms of polyamine effects await further research.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Involvement of upstream open reading frames in regulation of rat V(1b) vasopressin receptor expression.

The V(1b) vasopressin receptor, expressed mainly in the corticotroph of the anterior pituitary, mediates the stimulatory effect of vasopressin on ACTH release. To clarify the regulation of receptor expression, we cloned, sequenced (up to approximately 5 kb from the translation start site), and characterized the 5'-flanking region of the rat V(1b) receptor gene. We identified the transcription start site by amplification of cDNA ends and found a new intron within the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) by comparing the sequence with that of cDNA. We then confirmed that the obtained promoter indeed has transcriptional activity by use of the luciferase reporter in AtT-20 mouse corticotroph cells. Interestingly, there were five short upstream open reading frames (uORFs) located within the 5'-UTR that were found to suppress V(1b) expression. Subsequent mutational analyses showed that the two downstream uORFs have an inhibitory effect on expression in both homologous and heterologous contexts. Furthermore, the inhibition did not accompany a parallel decrease in mRNA, suggesting that the suppressive effect occurs at a level downstream of transcription. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that the expression of the V(1b) receptor is regulated at the posttranscriptional as well as transcriptional level through uORFs within the 5'-UTR region of the mRNA. Whether the uORF-mediated regulation of V(1b) expression is functionally linked to any intracellular and/or extracellular factor(s) awaits further research.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2001

Effects of loperamide and other opioid-related substances on the transcriptional regulation of the rat pro-opiomelanocortin gene in AtT20 cells.

Although opioid peptides are involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, their role in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene expression at the pituitary level is not known. We therefore examined the effects of opioid receptor agonists, including recently discovered endogenous opioid peptides, on POMC gene expression using the AtT20PL cell line, a subclone of AtT20 in which the rat POMC 5'-promoter-luciferase fusion gene was stably incorporated. The endogenous mu-opioid receptor agonists endomorphin 1 and 2 had no effect on either basal or corticotropin-stimulating-hormone-induced POMC expression. This was also the case with the delta-agonist BUBUC, the kappa-agonist U50488H and the orphan receptor agonist orphanin FQ. In contrast, the synthetic mu-agonist loperamide significantly inhibited basal and yet enhanced cAMP-induced POMC expression. The inhibitory effect of loperamide was mimicked by the calmodulin antagonist W7 and antagonized by the calcium channel blocker nifedipine, whereas neither the inhibitory nor the enhancing effect of loperamide was influenced by the opioid antagonist naloxone. These results suggest that the synthetic mu-agonist loperamide has a modulatory effect on the 5'-promoter activity of the POMC gene. This effect does not seem to be mediated through the classical mu-opioid receptor but rather in part through a calcium/calmodulin-related mechanism.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Homeobox protein Gsh-1-dependent regulation of the rat GHRH gene promoter.

Although GHRH is known to play a pivotal role in the regulation of the GHRH-GH-IGF-I axis, the molecular mechanism of GHRH gene expression has not yet been examined. Here we studied the transcriptional regulation of the GHRH gene 5'promoter using an in vitro experimental model system. We especially focused on the role of homeobox transcriptional factor Gsh-1, because a dwarf phenotype and abolished GHRH expression was observed in Gsh-1 knockout mice. First, we cloned human Gsh-1, which showed 87.3% homology with mouse Gsh-1 at the nucleotide level. When the 5'-promoter region of the rat GHRH gene was introduced into the human placental cell line JEG-3, in which we found the endogenous expression of Gsh-1 as well as GHRH mRNA, substantial transcriptional activity of the promoter was recognized. Promoter activity was further enhanced by overexpression of Gsh-1 protein, whereas it was substantially reduced by elimination of Gsh-1 binding sites. EMSA confirmed the actual binding of Gsh-1 on the multiple binding sites of GHRH gene promoter. Finally, coexpression of CREB-binding protein significantly enhanced the Gsh-1-induced GHRH gene expression, suggesting the cooperative role of the coactivator protein. Because Gsh-1 is found to be expressed in the hypothalamus of the adult rat, our data provide evidence that the Gsh-1 homeobox protein plays a key role in the expression of the GHRH gene.

Animals↗