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Vomitoxin-induced cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression in macrophages mediated by activation of ERK and p38 but not JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases.

Vomitoxin (VT) and other trichothecene mycotoxins mediate a broad range of immunotoxic effects via the induction of inflammation-associated genes in leukocytes. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that VT induces cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression in macrophages and that this is regulated at the level of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Exposure of the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 to 50-250 ng/ml VT for 24 h markedly enhanced the production of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), a major COX-2 metabolite. PGE(2) elevation was preceded by increases in COX-2 mRNA (2 h) and COX-2 protein (15 h) in VT-treated cells. VT induced rapid (15 min) and persistent (up to 240 min) phosphorylation of extracellular, signal regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK as well as a rapid (15 min) but transient (up to 60 min) phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases 1 and 2 (JNK1/2). The ERK inhibitor PD98059 and p38 inhibitor SB203580 suppressed VT-induced PGE(2) and COX-2 protein expression, whereas impairment of JNK function by transient transfection with a dominant negative (dn) JNK vector had no effect on COX-2 protein expression. Relatedly, in cells transfected with a COX-2 promoter-luciferase construct, PD98059- and SB203580-, but not dnJNK-treatment, suppressed VT-induced luciferase transcription. VT also increased COX-2 mRNA stability, and this was inhibited by PD98059 but not by SB203580. Taken together, these results indicate that VT-induced PGE(2) production and COX-2 expression by elevating transcriptional activity and mRNA stability. Enhanced transcriptional activity was modulated by ERK and p38 signaling pathways, whereas mRNA stability was promoted exclusively by VT-activated p38 phosphorylation. These data provide insight into possible general mechanisms by which VT and other trichlothecenes upregulate proinflammatory genes and impart immunotoxicity.

Animals↗

Mechanism of all trans-retinoic acid and glucocorticoid regulation of surfactant protein mRNA.

The surfactant proteins (SPs) are required for the normal function of pulmonary surfactant, a lipoprotein substance that prevents alveolar collapse at end expiration. We characterized the effects of cortisol and all trans-retinoic acid (RA) on SP-A and SP-B gene expression in H441 cells, a human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell line. Cortisol, at 10(-6) M, caused a significant inhibition of SP-A mRNA to levels that were 60-70% of controls and a five- to sixfold increase in the levels of SP-B mRNA. RA alone (10(-6) M) had no effect on SP-A mRNA levels and modestly reduced the inhibitory effect of cortisol. RA alone and the combination of cortisol and RA both significantly increased SP-B mRNA levels. RA had no effect on the rate of SP-A gene transcription or on SP-A mRNA stability. Cortisol alone and the combination of cortisol and RA significantly inhibited the rate of SP-A gene transcription but had no effect on SP-A mRNA half-life. RA at 10(-6) M had no effect on the rate of SP-B gene transcription but prolonged SP-B mRNA half-life. Cortisol alone and the combination of cortisol and RA caused a significant increase in the rate of SP-B gene transcription and also caused a significant increase in SP-B mRNA stability. We conclude that RA has no effect on SP-A gene expression and increases SP-B mRNA levels by an effect on SP-B mRNA stability and not on the rate of SP-B gene transcription. In addition, the effects of the combination of RA and cortisol were generally similar to those of cortisol alone.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗

Cooperativity between the preproinsulin mRNA untranslated regions is necessary for glucose-stimulated translation.

Glucose regulates proinsulin biosynthesis via stimulation of the translation of the preproinsulin mRNA in pancreatic beta-cells. However, the mechanism by which this occurs has remained unclear. Using recombinant adenoviruses that express the preproinsulin mRNA with defined alterations, the untranslated regions (UTRs) of the preproinsulin mRNA were examined for elements that specifically control translation of the mRNA in rat pancreatic islets. These studies revealed that the preproinsulin 5'-UTR was necessary for glucose stimulation of preproinsulin mRNA translation, whereas the 3'-UTR appeared to suppress translation. However, together the 5'- and 3'-UTRs acted cooperatively to markedly increase glucose-induced proinsulin biosynthesis. In primary hepatocytes the presence of the preproinsulin 3'-UTR led to reduced mRNA levels compared with the presence of the SV40 3'-UTR, consistent with the presence of mRNA stability determinants in the 3'-UTR that stabilize the preproinsulin mRNA in a pancreatic beta-cell-specific manner. Translation of these mRNAs in primary hepatocytes was not stimulated by glucose, indicating that regulated translation of the preproinsulin mRNA occurs in a pancreatic beta-cell-specific manner. Thus, the untranslated regions of the preproinsulin mRNA play crucial roles in regulating insulin production and therefore glucose homeostasis by regulating the translation and the stability of the preproinsulin mRNA.

Animals↗

Adhesion-dependent regulation of an A+U-rich element-binding activity associated with AUF1.

Monocyte adherence results in the rapid transcriptional activation and mRNA stabilization of numerous mediators of inflammation and tissue repair. While the enhancer and promoter elements associated with transcriptional activation have been studied, mechanisms linking adhesion, mRNA stabilization, and translation are unknown. GROalpha and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) mRNAs are highly labile in nonadhered monocytes but stabilize rapidly after adherence. GROalpha and IL-1beta transcripts both contain A+U-rich elements (AREs) in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) which have been directly associated with rapid mRNA turnover. To determine if the GROalpha ARE region was recognized by factors associated with mRNA degradation, we carried out mobility gel shift analyses using a series of RNA probes encompassing the entire GROalpha transcript. Stable complexes were formed only with the proximal 3' UTR which contained the ARE region. The two slower-moving complexes were rapidly depleted following monocyte adherence but not direct integrin engagement. Deadherence reactivated the two largest ARE-binding complexes and destabilized IL-1beta transcripts. Antibody supershift studies demonstrated that both of these ARE RNA-binding complexes contained AUF1. The formation of these complexes and the accelerated mRNA turnover are phosphorylation-dependent events, as both are induced in adherent monocytes by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein and the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor of IL-1beta translation, SK&F 86002. These results demonstrate that cell adhesion and deadhesion rapidly and reversibly modify both cytokine mRNA stability and the RNA-binding complexes associated with AUF1.

Cell Adhesion↗

Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and lipopolysaccharide induce different transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of the IRG1 gene in murine macrophages.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) causes a chronic enteritis in ruminants. In addition, MAP is presently the most favored pathogen linked to Crohn's disease. In this study, we were interested in dissecting the molecular mechanisms of macrophage activation or deactivation after infection with MAP. By subtractive hybridization of cDNAs, we identified the immune-responsive gene 1 (IRG1), which was expressed substantially higher in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated than in MAP-infected murine macrophage cell lines. A nuclear run-on transcription assay revealed that the IRG1 gene was activated transcriptionally in LPS-stimulated and MAP-infected macrophages with higher expression in LPS-stimulated cells. Analysis of post-transcriptional regulation demonstrated that IRG1 mRNA stability was increased in LPS-stimulated but not in MAP-infected macrophages. Furthermore, IRG1 gene expression of macrophages infected with the nonpathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis differed from those of LPS-stimulated and MAP-infected macrophages. At 2 h postinfection, M. smegmatis-induced IRG1 gene expression was as low as in MAP-infected, and 8 h postinfection, it increased nearly to the level in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Transient transfection experiments revealed similar IRG1 promoter activities in MAP- and M. smegmatis-infected cells. Northern analysis demonstrated increased IRG1 mRNA stability in M. smegmatis-infected macrophages. IRG1 mRNA stabilization was p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-independent. Inhibition of protein synthesis revealed that constitutively expressed factors seemed to be responsible for IRG1 mRNA destabilization. Thus, our data demonstrate that transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms are responsible for a differential IRG1 gene expression in murine macrophages treated with LPS, MAP, and M. smegmatis.

Animals↗

Increased monocyte TNF-alpha message stability contributes to trauma patients' increased TNF production.

Post-trauma elevation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) appears to be critical in mediating many symptoms of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), resulting in late mortality. Although increased monocyte (mphi) TNF-alpha production plays a pivotal role in this TNF-alpha elevation, the molecular mechanisms leading to increased mphi TNF-alpha production have yet to be elucidated. We demonstrate that, although TNF-alpha mRNA levels are increased in all trauma patients' mphi, which produce elevated levels of TNF-alpha protein, in the majority of patients, these increased TNF-alpha mRNA levels are under normal transcriptional and posttranscriptional control. Consequently, the increased TNF-alpha production by these patients' mphi is probably due to preactivation of these mphi by trauma-released mediators. However, a small minority of patients, whose mortality rate was 57%, produce TNF-alpha of primarily the membrane-associated type. The mphi TNF-alpha mRNA accumulation of these patients in response to in vitro stimulation is significantly augmented. All of these patients experienced SIRS. In this subset of patients' mphi, TNF-alpha mRNA stability was aberrantly increased. Such an increase in TNF-alpha mRNA stability could lead to devastatingly prolonged production of TNF-alpha protein. This demonstration of increased TNF-alpha mRNA stability in post-trauma mphi represents a novel correlation of elevated membrane-associated TNF-alpha protein, increased mortality, and a mechanism for this occurrence.

Adult↗

Destabilization of TNF-alpha mRNA by retinoic acid in hepatic macrophages: implications for alcoholic liver disease.

Retinoic acid (RA) inhibits hepatic macrophage (HM) cytokine expression, and retinoids are depleted in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). However, neither the causal link between the two nor the mechanism underlying RA-mediated HM inhibition is known. The aim of the present study was to determine the mechanism of RA-induced inhibition of HM tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha expression and the relevance of this regulation to ALD. Treatment with all-trans RA (500 nM) caused a 50% inhibition in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated TNF-alpha expression by cultured normal rat HM. The mRNA levels for inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1alpha, and IL-1beta were also reduced, whereas those for transforming growth factor-beta1, MMP-9, and membrane cofactor protein-1 were unaffected. The inhibitory effect on TNF-alpha expression was reproduced by LG268, a retinoid X receptor (RXR)-specific ligand, but not by TTNPB, an RA receptor (RAR)-specific ligand. RA did not alter LPS-stimulated NF-kB and activation protein-1 binding but significantly decreased TNF-alpha mRNA stability in HM. HM isolated from the ALD model showed significant decreases in all-trans RA (-48%) and 9-cis RA (-61%) contents, RA response element (RARE) binding, and mRNA levels for RARbeta, RXRalpha, and cytosolic retinol binding protein-1, whereas TNF-alpha mRNA expression was induced. TNF-alpha mRNA stability was increased in these cells, and an ex vivo treatment with all-trans RA normalized both RARbeta and TNF-alpha mRNA levels. These results demonstrate the RA-induced destabilization of TNF-alpha mRNA by cultured HM and the association of RA depletion with increased TNF-alpha mRNA stability in HM from experimental ALD. These findings suggest that RA depletion primes HM for proinflammatory cytokine expression in ALD, at least in part, via posttranscriptional regulation.

Animals↗

Gemfibrozil stimulates apolipoprotein A-I synthesis and secretion by stabilization of mRNA transcripts in human hepatoblastoma cell line (Hep G2).

Gemfibrozil is a widely used drug that elevates plasma HDL and lowers triglycerides and LDL. The mechanism of action of this pharmacological agent on HDL metabolism is not established. Since the liver is the major organ involved in HDL production and removal, we assessed the effect of gemfibrozil on the modulation of apoA-I (a major protein of HDL)-containing particles by a human hepatoblastoma cell line (Hep G2). Incubation of Hep G2 cells with gemfibrozil resulted in the following statistically significant findings: (1) increased accumulation of apoA-I in the medium without affecting uptake of radiolabeled HDL-protein or HDL-apoA-I; (2) accelerated incorporation of [3H]leucine and [35S]methionine into apoA-I; (3) equivalent increases in [3H]leucine incorporation into HDL particles without and with apoA-II (LpA-I and LpA-I+A-II, respectively); (4) equal efflux of fibroblast cholesterol by harvested LpA-I and LpA-I+A-II particles; (5) increased steady state apoA-I mRNA without affecting apoA-I transcription; and (6) increased apoA-I mRNA half-life (2.2-fold). These data indicate that gemfibrozil stabilizes apoA-I mRNA transcripts, resulting in increased translation of functional apoA-I-containing particles capable of effluxing cellular cholesterol, thus defining a major mechanism by which gemfibrozil increases HDL.

Apolipoprotein A-I↗

Lipid mediators of insulin resistance: ceramide signalling down-regulates GLUT4 gene transcription in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

We have previously demonstrated that chronic exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) resulted in a marked decrease (approximately 90%) in cellular GLUT4 (insulin-responsive glucose transporter) mRNA content as a result of a decreased transcription rate of the GLUT4 gene (approximately 75%) and a reduced half-life of its mRNA (9 to 4.5 h). Investigation of the signalling mechanism responsible for this regulation demonstrated that in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes, sphingomyelin levels decreased to 50% of control levels within 40 min of exposure to TNF, consistent with activation of a sphingomyelinase. In the same manner as with TNF, treatment of the adipocytes with 1-3 microM C6-ceramide, a membrane-permeable analogue of ceramide, decreased GLUT4 mRNA content by approximately 60%. Subsequent investigations revealed that transcription of the GLUT4 gene was reduced by approximately 65% in response to C6-ceramide, demonstrating that the decrease in mRNA content is mediated by a reduction in the transcription of the genc. No effect on GLUT4 mRNA stability was observed after exposure of the adipocytes to C6-ceramide. These observations are interesting in light of our previous data demonstrating that TNF affects both GLUT4 transcription and mRNA stability in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In conclusion, the effect of ceramide on GLUT4 gene expression is at the level of transcription, suggesting that another pathway controls mRNA stability. These data establish that ceramide-initiated signal transduction pathways exist within the adipocyte, and provide a potential mechanism for control of GLUT4 gene expression.

3T3 Cells↗

Characterization of adeno-associated virus rep protein inhibition of adenovirus E2a gene expression.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) replication (Rep) proteins are pleiotropic effectors of viral DNA replication, RNA transcription, and site-specific integration into chromosome 19. In addition to regulating AAV gene expression, the Rep proteins modulate expression of a variety of cellular and viral genes. In this report we investigate Rep-mediated effects on expression of the adenovirus (Ad) E2a gene and the Ad major late promoter. We have found that all four Rep proteins repress E2a expression at the protein level, with Rep40 showing the weakest repression. Mutations in the purine nucleotide binding (PNB) site weakened each of the protein's abilities to repress expression. Analysis of steady-state E2a mRNA showed that Rep proteins decreased mRNA levels, but to a lesser extent than E2a protein levels. Analysis of mRNA stability demonstrated that neither Rep78 nor Rep52 affected E2a mRNA stability, suggesting that the decrease in mRNA is due to Rep-mediated inhibition of Ad E2a transcription. To determine if Rep68 proteins could directly inhibit RNA transcription, we performed in vitro transcription assays using HeLa nuclear extracts supplemented with Rep68 and Rep68PNB. We demonstrate that Rep68, but not mutant Rep68PNB, blocked in vitro transcription of a template containing the Ad major late promoter. These results provide insight into how AAV and its encoded Rep proteins interact with Ad and provide a model system for the study of AAV and host-cell interactions.

Adenoviridae↗

Human endothelial cells augment early CD40 ligand expression in activated CD4+ T cells through LFA-3-mediated stabilization of mRNA.

Human endothelial cells (EC) augment CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression on PHA-activated CD4+ T cells at early times (e.g., 4-6 h). Fixed EC, devoid of mRNA, are comparable to living EC in their capacity to augment early CD40L expression on CD4+ T cells. Fixed EC increase T cell mRNA expression of both IL-2 and CD40L compared with PHA alone at 6 h. EC are unable to increase the rate of transcription of CD40L compared with PHA alone as measured with a promoter-reporter gene, although they do increase transcription of an IL-2 promoter-reporter gene. Fixed EC prolong the half-life of CD40L mRNA >2-fold. Inclusion of anti-human LFA-3 (CD58) mAb or pretreatment of EC with an LFA-3 antisense oligonucleotide blocks EC-induced increases in CD40L expression, whereas mAb to ICAM-1 or pretreatment with ICAM-1 antisense oligonucleotide does not. Moreover, mAb to LFA-3 reverses the capacity of EC to prolong the half-life of CD40L mRNA, whereas mAb to ICAM-1, even in combination with mAb to ICAM-2, does not. We conclude that EC use LFA-3 to increase early CD40L protein expression on newly activated CD4+ T cells by stabilizing CD40L mRNA.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Somatic mRNA turnover mutants implicate tristetraprolin in the interleukin-3 mRNA degradation pathway.

Control of mRNA stability is critical for expression of short-lived transcripts from cytokines and proto-oncogenes. Regulation involves an AU-rich element (ARE) in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) and cognate trans-acting factors thought to promote either degradation or stabilization of the mRNA. In this study we present a novel approach using somatic cell genetics designed to identify regulators of interleukin-3 (IL-3) mRNA turnover. Mutant cell lines were generated from diploid HT1080 cells transfected with a reporter construct containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) linked to the IL-3 3'UTR. GFP was expressed at low levels due to rapid decay of the mRNA. Following chemical mutagenesis and selection of GFP-overexpressing cells, we could isolate three mutant clones (slowA, slowB, and slowC) with a specific, trans-acting defect in IL-3 mRNA degradation, while the stability of IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor alpha reporter transcripts was not affected. Somatic cell fusion experiments revealed that the mutants are genetically recessive and form two complementation groups. Expression of the tristetraprolin gene in both groups led to reversion of the mutant phenotype, thereby linking this gene to the IL-3 mRNA degradation pathway. The genetic approach described here should allow identification of the defective functions by gene transfer and is also applicable to the study of other mRNA turnover pathways.

Animals↗

Translational control during recovery from heat shock in the absence of heat shock proteins.

Heat shock results in a reduction in translational efficiency and an increase in mRNA stability in plants that is proportional to the severity of the stress. To determine whether the absence of heat shock proteins may affect the observed changes during translation or mRNA turnover, the effect that inhibiting transcription during a heat shock has on the subsequent translation of a reporter mRNA was examined. The presence of actinomycin D repressed heat shock protein synthesis in response to the application of a heat shock by more than 80%. The translational efficiency of the reporter mRNA was subject to a greater degree of repression following a heat shock when transcription was inhibited than it was in heat-shocked cells in which transcription was not inhibited. In contrast, inhibiting transcription during a heat shock did not prevent the heat-mediated increase in mRNA stability. These data suggest that ongoing transcription is needed during a heat shock to support a basal level of translational activity in the subsequent recovery from the stress but does not appear to be required for the heat-mediated increase in mRNA stability.

Animals↗

Histone deacetylase inhibitors decrease DNA methyltransferase-3B messenger RNA stability and down-regulate de novo DNA methyltransferase activity in human endometrial cells.

It is well known that the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) acts synergistically with the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (ADC) to reactivate DNA methylation-silenced genes. Moreover, in several studies, TSA was capable of inducing DNA demethylation even in the absence of ADC. Here we describe a mechanism by which HDAC inhibitors affect DNA methylation through their regulation on DNMT3B, a methyltransferase responsible for de novo DNA methylation. Using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, we show that TSA down-regulates DNMT3B mRNA and protein expression in human endometrial cancer cells. This decrease in DNMT3B mRNA results in a significant reduction in de novo methylation activities. Further experiments indicated that TSA decreases DNMT3B mRNA stability and reduces its half-life from approximately 4 to 2.5 hours. We established that protein synthesis is required for posttranscriptional regulation, suggesting the involvement of an RNase and/or key mRNA stabilization factor(s) controlling the DNMT3B mRNA stability. Therefore, TSA may not only modify histone acetylation, but also potentially alter DNA methylation. Since the HDAC inhibitors are frequently used in epigenetic studies and are considered to be promising anticancer drugs, these new findings will have implications in both laboratory and clinical settings.

Azacitidine↗

Upregulation of low density lipoprotein receptor by gemfibrozil, a hypolipidemic agent, in human hepatoma cells through stabilization of mRNA transcripts.

Gemfibrozil reduces the plasmal levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in patients with hyperlipidemia by a mechanism that is not well understood. The present study evaluated the effect of gemfibrozil on the LDL receptor in human hepatoma cells compared with that of pravastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase. Exposure to gemfibrozil, 40 mumol/L, for 3 days increased the binding of 125I-LDL to the surface of three lines of human hepatoma cell, HepG2, HuH7, and HLE by 1.5- to 2.0-fold. Similar findings were observed with pravastatin. Scatchard analysis with 125I-LDL indicated an increased number of LDL receptors on the cell surface of HepG2 cells when treated with gemfibrozil and pravastatin. However, the gemfibrozil-treated cells exhibited no increase in the binding of 125I-epidermal growth factor (EGF). Gemfibrozil increased the levels of LDL receptor mRNA and protein in HepG2 cells. The increase in LDL receptor activity induced by pravastatin was abolished by concomitant administration of mevalonic acid, 770 mumol/L. This effect was not seen with gemfibrozil, suggesting the mechanism differs for the two lipid-lowering drugs. To determine whether this increase in mRNA was due to transcriptional activation, we prepared HepG2 cells transfected with an LDL receptor promoter-reporter construct that contained a sterol regulatory element. The expression of LDL receptor regulated by the sterol regulatory element was increased by pravastatin, but not by gemfibrozil. We evaluated the stability of the mRNA in the presence of actinomycin D to explain the increase in the LDL receptor mRNA. Gemfibrozil prolonged the half-life of the mRNA for LDL receptor but not that for the EGF receptor. Stabilization of the LDL receptor mRNA is suggested to be the novel mode of action of gemfibrozil.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Posttranscriptional destabilization of the bradykinin B1 receptor messenger RNA: cloning and functional characterization of the 3'-untranslated region.

We showed previously that the inducible bradykinin B1 receptor (BKB1R) gene expression is regulated, in part, through mRNA stabilization. Here we clone the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the BKB1R. This region proves to be very short, containing only 14 bases with an alternative polyadenylation signal (AUUAAA) which overlaps with the stop codon. Reverse transcription confirms the presence of this alternative polyadenylation signal. Northern blot shows a single species of BKB1R mRNA of approximately 1.4 kb in agreement with its calculated length. The BKB1R mRNA induced by TNFalpha, phorbol ester, bradykinin, and desArg10-kallidin contain the same 3'-UTR species. To test the role of this region in the regulation of mRNA stability, we generated a chimeric luciferase construct containing the BKB1R 3'-UTR. The mRNA transcribed from the wild-type luciferase gene displayed a half-life of approximately 6 h. The mRNA transcribed from the chimeric construct displayed a half-life of only 1 h. This decrease was also reflected at the level of enzyme activity. Luciferase activity from cells transfected with the chimeric construct was 10 times less than from cells transfected with wild-type luciferase. The data presented provide compelling evidence that the 3'-UTR is participating in the regulation of BKB1R mRNA stability and its ultimate expression.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Functional hierarchy of AUUUA motifs in mediating rapid interleukin-3 mRNA decay.

In mast cells, expression of interleukin-3 (IL-3) is induced following IgE-receptor activation via calcium-dependent mRNA stabilization. We performed a mutational analysis of the 8 AUUUA motifs located in the 3'-untranslated region of IL-3 mRNA, and analyzed the effect on mRNA stability in PB-3c mast cells. Similar to endogenous IL-3 mRNA, exogenous IL-3 transcripts had a short half-life and were stabilized following stimulation of calcium influx by ionomycin. Specific mutation of 3 AUUUA motifs had almost the same stabilizing effect as deletion of the entire AU-rich region. Mutating even a single critical motif led to a weak, but significant mRNA stabilization. Ionomycin treatment did not further enhance the expression of mutationally stabilized transcripts. Our data fit a model, where within a cluster of 6 AUUUA motifs, 3 adjacent motifs are required for binding of a factor which mediates rapid IL-3 mRNA decay. Activity of such a factor might be under control of a calcium-dependent pathway.

Animals↗

Nucleolin links to arsenic-induced stabilization of GADD45alpha mRNA.

The present study shows that arsenic induces GADD45alpha (growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene 45alpha) mainly through post-transcriptional mechanism. Treatment of the human bronchial epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B, with arsenic(III) chloride (As3+) resulted in a significant increase in GADD45alpha protein and mRNA. However, As3+ only exhibited a marginal effect on the transcription of the GADD45alpha gene. The accumulation of GADD45alpha mRNA is largely achieved by the stabilization of GADD45alpha mRNA in the cellular response to As3+. As3+ is able to induce binding of mRNA stabilizing proteins, nucleolin and less potently, HuR, to the GADD45alpha mRNA. Although As3+ was unable to affect the expression of nucleolin, treatment of the cells with As3+ resulted in re-distribution of nucleolin from nucleoli to nucleoplasm. Silencing of the nucleolin mRNA by RNA interference reversed As3+-induced stabilization of the GADD45alpha mRNA and accumulation of the GADD45alpha protein. Stabilization of GADD45alpha mRNA, thus, represents a novel mechanism contributing to the production of GADD45alpha and cell cycle arrest in response to As3+.

Arsenicals↗