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Cytochrome P4502E1- and cytochrome P4502B1/2B2-catalyzed carbon tetrachloride metabolism: effects on signal transduction as demonstrated by altered immediate-early (c-Fos and c-Jun) gene expression and nuclear AP-1 and NF-kappa B transcription factor levels.

We have previously reported that carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) stimulates c-fos, c-jun, and Ca(2+)-activated neutral protease gene expression in rat hepatic tissue (Zawaski et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 197, 585-590, 1993). The proteins c-Fos and c-Jun constitute inducible transcription factors in signal transduction and regulate the transcriptional activation of a battery of genes involved in cell growth and division. The present study was initiated to characterize the role of cytochrome P450 expression and metabolic activation on the magnitude of immediate-early (i.e. c-fos and c-jun) gene expression. Animals were treated either with diallyl sulfide, N-acetylcysteine, pyridine, or phenobarbital before treatment with CCI4. Total and poly(A)+ RNA were isolated, and c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels were analyzed by Northern blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses. Treatment of animals with CCI4 increased c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels from below the limit of detection in control tissue to intense bands within 30 min of treatment, with maximal expression monitored at 1 and 2 hr posttreatment. Treatment of animals with diallyl sulfide alone also elevated c-fos and c-jun mRNA expression to detectable levels. However, pretreatment of animals with diallyl sulfide before treatment with CCI4 produced a 76-92% decrease in c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels, relative to that monitored for CCI4-treated animals. Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine did not affect c-fos or c-jun mRNA levels and diminished CCI4-stimulated c-fos and c-jun gene expression by 44 and 55%, respectively, relative to the immediate-early gene mRNA levels monitored in the hepatic tissue of CCI4-treated animals. Pretreatment of animals with the CYP2E1 inducer pyridine for 24 hr had only a marginal effect on c-fos mRNA levels, but increased CCI4-stimulated c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels by an additional approximately 2- to approximately 4-fold over those monitored in the uninduced hepatic tissue of CCI4-treated animals. Whereas phenobarbital treatment alone enhanced c-fos expression only marginally, CCI4 treatment of phenobarbital-pretreated animals increased c-fos expression by up to an additional approximately 8-fold and c-jun mRNA levels by up to an additional approximately 5-fold over the respective levels monitored in the hepatic tissue of CCI4-treated animals. Enhanced CYP2E1 or CYP2B1/2B2 levels after treatment with pyridine or phenobarbital elevated c-fos mRNA over untreated controls. This increase was marginal, however, and detectable only with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Examination of nuclear levels of the heterodimeric c-Fos and c-Jun AP-1 transcription factor complex revealed a time-dependent increase in AP-1 levels. AP-1 transcription factor binding was confirmed using competitor consensus sequences and antibody supershifts. Nuclear levels of NF-kappa B, a transcription factor complex implicated in hepatocyte proliferation and apoptotic or programmed cell death, were also examined. NF-kappa B, which consists of the p50 and p65/Rel A polypeptides, was increased in hepatic nuclear extracts at 2 and 24 hr after CCI4 administration, with a concomitant decrease in the p50 polypeptide. Thus, the magnitude of CCI4 stimulation of the immediate-early genes c-fos and c-jun is dependent on metabolic activation by the P450s, and the magnitude of the effect is dependent on the levels and isozyme composition of P450s in the tissue. Furthermore, nuclear transcription factor levels of AP-1 and NF-kappa B are elevated in response to this toxicant.

Animals↗

Coinduction of c-jun gene expression and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation by ionizing radiation.

Previous work has demonstrated that the cellular response to ionizing radiation includes transcriptional activation of the c-jun early response gene. The present studies demonstrate that this induction of c-jun expression is temporally related to the appearance of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. These events were maximal at 6 h and transient after exposure to lethal doses (20 Gy) of ionizing radiation. We also demonstrate that N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, inhibits X-ray-induced c-jun expression and endonucleolytic DNA cleavage. These findings suggested that both events are mediated at least in part through the formation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs). Since ROIs damage DNA and X-ray-induced DNA damage is associated with activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (ADPRP), we studied the effects of the ADPRP inhibitors 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB), nicotinamide, and theophylline. 3-AB blocked both X-ray-induced c-jun expression and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Similar findings were obtained with nicotinamide and theophylline. In contrast, 3-AB had little if any effect on induction of c-jun transcripts or DNA fragmentation induced by the alkylating agent mitomycin C. While c-jun expression is restricted to cells in G1 and G1/S phases, we have found that X-ray-induced c-jun transcripts are detectable throughout all phases of the cell cycle. The induction of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation by X-rays was also detectable throughout the cell cycle. Taken together, these results support the coinduction of c-jun transcription and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation by ionizing radiation. Similar studies were performed with H2O2 since this agent also results in the production of ROIs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell Line↗

Differential regulation of fos and jun gene expression and AP-1 cis-element activity by endothelin isopeptides. Possible implications for mitogenic signaling by endothelin.

Endothelins (ET) are potent vasoconstrictor peptides that also function as mitogens for numerous cell types. Although regulation of second messenger pathways by ET peptides has been extensively investigated, little is known about the pathways of nuclear signaling by which ET controls gene expression. The present experiments investigated whether fos and jun contribute to nuclear signaling and gene regulation by ET isopeptides. ET isopeptides induced a subset of fos and jun mRNAs in mesangial cells, including c-fos, fra-1, c-jun, and JunB. fos and jun mRNAs were induced as members of the immediate-early gene response. Activation of the high affinity ET receptor moderately increased c-fos and fra-1 mRNA, whereas activation of the low affinity receptor markedly induced both fos and jun mRNAs. Thus, different ET receptor subtypes evoke distinct patterns of fos and jun induction. Prominent isopeptide- and cell-specific differences in the magnitude and kinetics of fos and jun expression were observed. Most striking was the marked elevation of c-fos steady-state mRNA and protein by ET-1, as compared with ET-3. In addition, ET-1, but not ET-3, increased transcriptional activity conferred by an AP-1 cis-element and directed collagenase gene expression. These results suggest that differential regulation of fos and jun expression and of AP-1 cis-element activity by ET isopeptides contributes to regulation of gene expression by ET. Furthermore, a role for AP-1 in mitogenic signaling by ET is suggested by the close correlation between AP-1 cis-element activity and cell growth.

3T3 Cells↗

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induces expression of monocyte chemoattractant JE via fos and jun genes in clonal osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.

The mechanism by which circulating monocytes are attracted to sites of bone remodeling is unknown. We now report that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a potent osteotrophic cytokine, was stimulatory for expression of the monocyte chemoattractant JE gene in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. TNF-alpha stimulated this JE gene expression transcriptionally. The presence of JE gene product in conditioned medium of the cytokine-treated cells was evidenced by an immunoprecipitation assay with antiserum specific for JE/MCP-1. The stimulated JE gene expression was markedly inhibited by H-7, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced the JE gene expression, and the cytokine-induced JE gene expression was down-regulated by the phorbol ester pretreatment. TNF-alpha induced expression of both early protooncogenes, c-fos and c-jun, in the cells. Antisense oligonucleotides to these oncogenes significantly inhibited the cytokine-induced monocyte chemotactic activity. Furthermore, curcumin, a specific inhibitor of c-jun/AP-1, markedly inhibited JE gene expression and monocyte chemotactic activity induced by the cytokine. These results suggest that TNF-alpha may contribute to the regulation of remodeling and inflammation of bone tissues through the JE gene product.

3T3 Cells↗

The cellular response to induction of the p21 c-Ha-ras oncoprotein includes stimulation of jun gene expression.

We have studied the effects of c-Ha-ras oncogene in mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts by DNA transfection and analysis of gene expression at the mRNA and protein level in a heat- and heavy metal-inducible model system. The human c-Ha-ras proto-oncogene and oncogene were cloned under the hsp70 heat-shock promoter. Clonal lines of cells with negligible basal expression of the hsp-c-Ha-ras oncogene construct were chosen on the basis of the inducibility of p21c-Ha-ras protein and several transformation parameters. We demonstrate that the expression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA is enhanced approximately 4-6 h after the induction of the p21c-Ha-ras oncoprotein. This increase was reversible upon cessation of c-Ha-ras mRNA and protein synthesis, while constitutively elevated ODC was characteristic for stably c-Ha-ras-transformed cells. The high-level expression of ODC in ras-transformed cells was insensitive to tumour promoter stimulation. A similar mRNA induction by c-Ha-rasVal-12 was also observed for two other serum- and tumour promoter-regulated genes associated with the transformed phenotype: transin (stromelysin) and the glucose transporter. This prompted us to examine also potential changes in the expression of the serum- and tumour promoter-induced transcription factor genes junB and c-jun after induction of the hsp--c-Ha-ras construct. The junB mRNA was enhanced approximately 10-fold and the c-jun oncogene mRNA to a lesser degree in the hsp--c-Ha-ras-transfected cells after zinc activation of the hsp70 promoter. These effects were not seen in similarly treated control cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Dioxin induces transcription of fos and jun genes by Ah receptor-dependent and -independent pathways.

Halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; dioxin), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo[a]pyrene, are environmental contaminants that cause many apparently unrelated toxic effects. In a previous study, we have shown that treatment of mouse hepatoma cells with TCDD or B(a)P results in an increase in mRNA levels of the immediate-early protooncogenes c-fos, c-jun, junB, and junD, and the concomitant increase of the DNA-binding activity of the transcription factor AP-1, a dimer of FOS and JUN proteins. To analyze the mechanism of fos/jun activation by TCDD we have used electrophoretic mobility shift and transient expression assays of reporter gene constructs containing response elements for 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TRE), serum (SRE), cAMP (CRE), and aromatic hydrocarbons (AhRE) from the fos and jun genes fused to the firefly luciferase gene under the control of the SV40 minimal promoter. In mouse hepatoma Hepa-1 cells, which have Ah receptor (AHR) and Ah receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) proteins, inclusion of TRE, SRE, and the AhRE motifs from c-jun and junD, but not CRE or the AhREs from c-fos, fosB, and junB, causes a large TCDD-dependent increase in luciferase expression. In agreement with these results, c-jun and junD, but not c-fos, fosB, and junB AhREs, competed with a canonical Cyp1A1 AhRE for binding to the AHR ARNT heterodimeric complex. In African Green Monkey CV-1 cells, which lack AHR, expression plasmids with AhRE motifs require coexpression of AHR and ARNT for TCDD to stimulate luciferase expression. In contrast, SRE-containing expression plasmids respond equally well to TCDD whether or not AHR and ARNT are coexpressed. These results suggest that TCDD induces expression of the immediate-early response genes fos and jun by activation of possibly three separate signal transduction pathways, at least one of which does not require a functional Ah receptor complex.

Animals↗

Induction of c-fos and c-jun gene expression by phenolic antioxidants.

We have found that phenolic antioxidants specifically induce expression of the c-fos and c-jun protooncogenes. After treatment of quiescent human hepatoma HepG2 cells with butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, or other phenolic antoxidants, the levels of c-fos and c-jun mRNAs are substantially increased. This response is antioxidant specific, dose dependent, and transient, with maximal levels at 3-6 h. The antioxidant-specific induction of c-fos/CAT promoter constructs in transient transfections indicates that at least a portion of this response is transcriptional. Deletions and point mutations map sequences required for the antioxidant response of the c-fos promoter to the serum response element. The antioxidant-specific induction of expression directed by a reporter plasmid containing four AP-1 sites and the induction of AP-1 DNA-binding activity confirm previous results indicating that antioxidant treatment increases AP-1 activity.

Antioxidants↗

Estrogen induces the expression of c-fos and c-jun genes in fibroblasts derived from human uterine endometrium.

The ratio of membrane/cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC) activity and the levels of c-fos and c-jun expressions in uterine endometrial fibroblasts were increased and reached peak levels with the administration of estradiol, but were partially diminished by the addition of progesterone. The response of c-fos was earlier than that of c-jun. Twelve-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) increased c-fos and c-jun expressions in endometrial fibroblasts as estradiol did, and pretreatment with 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7) reduced the estrogen-inducible c-fos and c-jun expressions. Therefore, it is suggested that oncogenes c-fos and c-jun in uterine stromal cells might be induced by estrogen partly via PKC, involving the interplay of the anti-estrogenic effect of progesterone, and there might be a cross talk between estrogen and PKC stimulants for c-fos and c-jun expressions.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Protein kinase C-and ras-dependent activation of c-jun gene by human papillomavirus type 11 E5a oncoprotein.

E5a of HPV-11 is a transforming oncogene. Previously, we have shown that E5a constitutively activates the expression of protooncogene c-jun by transcriptional regulation through the AP-1 binding site in the c-jun promoter. In the present study, we used two different types of cells: the E5a transfected NIH 3T3 cells and human epidermal keratinocytes, and selectively inhibited different signal transduction pathways to investigate effects of E5a on c-jun expression. We find that protein kinase C and ras-dependent pathways are important for the c-jun induction by E5a, but not the cAMP-dependent pathway.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Transforming growth factor beta and dexamethasone cooperatively enhance c-jun gene expression and inhibit the growth of human monocytoid leukemia cells.

Glucocorticoids inhibit the proliferation of lymphoid leukemia cells, whereas most myeloid leukemia cells are resistant to glucocorticoids. However, this study showed that glucocorticoids significantly and preferentially inhibited growth of monocytoid leukemia cells in combination with a low concentration of transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta). Combined 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and TGF beta markedly induced monocytic differentiation of U937 cells, whereas dexamethasone (Dex) and TGF beta essentially did not, although both combinations similarly inhibited the growth of U937 cells. The growth inhibition was accompanied by a block in the cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase (G1 arrest). Expression of glucocorticoid receptors was not affected by TGF beta, although they are induced during the monocytic differentiation of myelogenous leukemia cells and have increased sensitivity to glucocorticoids. The expression of TGF beta receptors also was not enhanced by Dex. TGF beta significantly stimulated glucocorticoid responsive element-mediated transcription activity. Combined Dex and TGF beta stimulated the expression of c-jun and c-fos early responsive genes in U937 cells, although Dex or TGF beta alone did not. The combination synergistically induced expression of c-jun gene, reaching a maximum level at 24 h. On the other hand, expression of c-fos gene was induced by TGF beta alone and increased additively in combination with Dex. Treatment with antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the first exon of c-jun mRNA reduced the growth-inhibitory effect of Dex and TGF beta in a dose-dependent manner. However, exposure of U937 cells to the sense oligomer of c-jun mRNA or an antisense oligomer of c-fos mRNA did not affect the growth inhibition. These results suggested that the preferential expression of c-jun and stimulation of glucocorticoid responsive element-mediated transactivation are closely associated with the growth arrest of U937 cells incubated with Dex and TGF beta.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗

Regulation of c-fos and c-jun gene expression by lipopolysaccharide and cytokines in primary cultured astrocytes: effect of PKA and PKC pathways.

The effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and several cytokines on the c-fos and c-jun mRNA expression were examined in primary cultured astrocytes. Either LPS (500 ng/mL) or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma; 5 ng/mL) alone increased the level of c-fos mRNA (1 h). However, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha; 10 ng/mL) or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta; 5 ng/mL) alone showed no significant induction of the level of c-fos mRNA. TNF-alpha showed a potentiating effect in the regulation of LPS-induced c-fos mRNA expression, whereas LPS showed an inhibitory action against IFN-gamma-induced c-fos mRNA expression. LPS, but not TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IFN-gamma, increased the level of c-jun mRNA (1 h). TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma showed an inhibitory action against LPS-induced c-jun mRNA expression. Both phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 2.5 mM) and forskolin (FSK; 5 mM) increased the c-fos and c-jun mRNA expressions. In addition, the level of c-fos mRNA was expressed in an antagonistic manner when LPS was combined with PMA. When LPS was co-treated with either PMA or FSK, it showed an additive interaction for the induction of c-jun mRNA expression. Our results suggest that LPS and cytokines may be actively involved in the regulation of c-fos and c-jun mRNA expressions in primary cultured astrocytes. Moreover, both the PKA and PKC pathways may regulate the LPS-induced c-fos and c-jun mRNA expressions in different ways.

Animals↗

Stimulation of c-fos and c-jun gene expression and down-regulation of proenkephalin gene expression in C6 glioma cells by endothelin-1.

The linkage between the transmembrane signal transduction system utilized by endothelin and alterations in gene expression has been investigated in C6 glioma cells. Treatment of C6 cells with endothelin-1 caused a rapid and transient 5-fold increase in c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels, followed by a decrease at 4 h. Dose-response studies indicated that 1 nM endothelin-1 caused half-maximal induction of c-fos mRNA 0.5 h after treatment and that maximal induction was elicited with a concentration of 10 nM. Actinomycin D totally abolished the rapid increase in c-fos mRNA caused by endothelin, indicating that the effect is at the transcriptional level. Endothelin-1 caused a decrease in proenkephalin mRNA to 50% of control levels at 4 h after treatment and had no effect on histone H4 mRNA over a 24 h period that was examined. These data indicate that receptor binding of endothelin-1 leads to rapid changes in the expression of immediate-early response genes which may cause more prolonged changes in the expression of AP-1 and/or CREB target genes in the nervous system.

Animals↗

Leukotriene B4 stimulates c-fos and c-jun gene transcription and AP-1 binding activity in human monocytes.

We have examined the effect of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a potent lipid proinflammatory mediator, on the expression of the proto-oncogenes c-jun and c-fos. In addition, we looked at the modulation of nuclear factors binding specifically to the AP-1 element after LTB4 stimulation. LTB4 increased the expression of the c-fos gene in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The c-jun mRNA, which is constitutively expressed in human peripheral-blood monocytes at relatively high levels, was also slightly augmented by LTB4, although to a much lower extent than c-fos. The kinetics of expression of the two genes were also slightly different, with c-fos mRNA reaching a peak at 15 min after stimulation and c-jun at 30 min. Both messages rapidly declined thereafter. Stability of the c-fos and c-jun mRNA was not affected by LTB4, as assessed after actinomycin D treatment. Nuclear transcription studies in vitro showed that LTB4 increased the transcription of the c-fos gene 7-fold and the c-jun gene 1.4-fold. Resting monocytes contained nuclear factors binding to the AP-1 element, but stimulation of monocytes with LTB4 induced greater AP-1-binding activity of nuclear proteins. These results indicate that LTB4 may regulate the production of different cytokines by modulating the yield and/or the function of transcription factors such as AP-1-binding proto-oncogene products.

Base Sequence↗

Differential modulation of fos and jun gene expression by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) modulates the mitogenic response to alpha-thrombin either positively or negatively in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells depending upon the time at which cells are exposed to 1,25-(OH)2D3. We now examine the impact of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on the induction by alpha-thrombin of c-jun and c-fos mRNA. When 1,25-(OH)2D3 and alpha-thrombin were added simultaneously to rat VSM cells, c-jun expression was enhanced by five-fold compared to cells exposed to thrombin alone. However, when cells were exposed to 1,25-(OH)2D3 for 48h prior to thrombin, c-jun expression after alpha-thrombin was reduced to less than 25% of the level in cells exposed to thrombin alone. c-fos expression after alpha-thrombin was unaffected by 1,25-(OH)2D3. Thus 1,25-(OH)2D3 dramatically alters the ratio of jun/fos mRNA produced during the mitogenic response and may thus modulate the response to mitogens.

Animals↗

Induction of jun gene family members by transforming growth factor alpha but not 17 beta-estradiol in human breast cancer cells.

To investigate whether estrogen treatment of hormone-responsive human breast cancer cells was associated with activation of members of the jun family of immediate early response genes, the expression of these oncogenes in human breast cancer cells was examined. 17 beta-Estradiol had little effect on expression of c-jun, jun B, jun D, or c-fos mRNA by MCF-7 cells over 12 h, although it stimulated c-myc expression 4-fold within 30 min. In contrast, several peptide growth factors, including transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), rapidly and transiently induced expression of c-jun, jun B, and c-fos mRNA 4- to 10-fold over control. A similar pattern of expression was seen in two other estrogen-responsive human breast cancer cell lines, ZR-75-1 and T47D. Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide did not abrogate induction of c-jun or jun B mRNA by TGF-alpha in MCF-7 cells, suggesting that new protein synthesis was not required. In addition, nuclear runoff transcription analysis demonstrated that increased expression of c-jun and jun B mRNA after TGF-alpha treatment of MCF-7 cells was regulated at least in part at the transcriptional level. Chronic exposure of MCF-7 cells to 17 beta-estradiol for 24-48 h was associated with decreased expression of jun B mRNA only, while similar treatment with TGF-alpha did not change mRNA expression of any jun family member. Thus, expression of jun family members is induced by peptide growth factors like TGF-alpha but not 17 beta-estradiol in human breast cancer cells. These results suggest that these nuclear protooncogenes play different roles in modulating gene expression by MCF-7 cells after exposure to TGF-alpha or 17 beta-estradiol.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Repression of c-fos and c-jun gene expression is not part of AT2 receptor coupled signal transduction.

The signal transduction mechanism coupled to angiotensin AT2 receptors is still a matter of debate. Based on the findings that AT2 receptor stimulation causes inhibition of proliferation, and that other antiproliferative agents such as transforming growth factor-beta, retinoic acid, and MyoD act via repression of immediate early gene (IEG) expression, this study was aimed at elucidating whether downregulation of IEG expression is also part of the AT2 receptor coupled signaling mechanism. Stimulation of angiotensin AT2 receptors in the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 W following pretreatment with growth factors was able to counteract growth factor induced proliferation but not to repress growth factor induced c-fos and c-jun expression; neither did AT2 receptor stimulation cause an induction of c-fos expression. We conclude that, in contrast to other growth-inhibiting agents, the antiproliferative effect of angiotensin II via the AT2 receptor is not mediated by repression of the immediate early genes c-fos and c-jun.

Angiotensin II↗

Regulation of c-jun gene expression in HL-60 leukemia cells by 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine. Potential involvement of a protein kinase C dependent mechanism.

1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent that incorporates into DNA and results in DNA fragmentation. Recent work has demonstrated that ara-C transiently induces expression of the c-jun immediate early response gene. The present studies in HL-60 myeloid leukemia cells extend these findings by demonstrating that the increase in c-jun mRNA levels at 6 h of ara-C treatment is regulated by a transcriptional mechanism. In contrast, the subsequent down-regulation of c-jun expression is controlled by a posttranscriptional decrease in the stability of the c-jun transcripts. Previous work in phorbol ester treated cells has indicated that c-jun expression is regulated by the activation of protein kinase C. The present results demonstrate that protein kinase C activity is increased in ara-C-treated cells. This increase was maximal at 60 min and remained detectable through 6 h of ara-C exposure. Moreover, the induction of c-jun transcripts by ara-C was inhibited by the isoquinolinesulfonamide derivative H7, but not by HA1004, suggesting that this effect is mediated by protein kinase C. Ara-C-induced c-jun expression was also inhibited by staurosporine, another inhibitor of protein kinase C. Taken together, these results indicate that the cellular response to ara-C includes the activation of protein kinase C and that ara-C potentially induces c-jun transcription by a protein kinase C dependent signaling mechanism.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

H(2)O(2)-induced egr-1, fra-1, and c-jun gene expression is mediated by tyrosine kinase in aortic smooth muscle cells.

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) has recently been shown to have a dual effect on cell growth by stimulating proliferation and triggering apoptosis. Apoptosis induced by H(2)O(2) is a direct consequence of oxidant injury, while the proliferative response to H(2)O(2) is thought to be a protective mechanism against oxidant injury. Signaling of the H(2)O(2)-induced proliferative effect has been proposed to occur via the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and increase in expression of transcription factors. In the present study, H(2)O(2)-induced mitogenic signaling in aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC) was investigated with a specific focus on the roles of tyrosine kinase and tyrosine phosphatase in the regulation of the H(2)O(2)-stimulated egr-1, fra-1, and c-jun transcription. The results show that H(2)O(2)-induced increases in egr-1, fra-1, and c-jun mRNA levels, as measured by Northern blot analysis, are time and dose dependent with the peak of the response within 2 h. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (genistein, amino-genistein, and tyrphostin 51) significantly attenuated H(2)O(2)-induced expression of these genes and a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor (perox-vanadate) stimulated their expression. H(2)O(2) stimulated tyrosine kinase activities and caused protein tyrosine phosphorylation, which was blocked by tyrphostin 51. H(2)O(2) also caused tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor. These data show that H(2)O(2) increases egr-1, fra-1, and c-jun mRNA levels in vascular smooth muscle cells, and the increase in expression of these genes is mediated by activation of tyrosine kinase. Our data also provide evidence that the H(2)O(2)-induced mitogenic response is, in part, mediated through the receptor tyrosine kinase, PDGF receptor.

Animals↗