Stimulation of endothelin-1 gene expression by insulin in endothelial cells

The present study characterized the regulation of the genetic expression of the vasoactive peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) by insulin in bovine aortic endothelial cells. By RNA blot analysis, insulin (1.67 x 10(-8) M) increased ET-1 mRNA levels by 2.3-fold over the basal within 10 min and attained a maximum (5.3-fold increase) in 2 h. Dose-response studies showed that a maximum effect of insulin was reached at 1.67 x 10(-8) M although a significant increase can be observed at 1.66 x 10(-9) M. Radioligand receptor studies indicated that the affinity constant for insulin receptors on endothelial cells correlated closely with the dose response observed for ET-1 mRNA. The ET-1 mRNA half-life was estimated with actinomycin D studies to be 20 min in control cells and was not affected by insulin treatment. Moreover, the effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and insulin were additive in the induction of ET-1 gene expression. When protein kinase C in the bovine aortic endothelial cells was down-regulated by preincubation with 8 x 10(-7) M PMA for 24 or 48 h, insulin was still able to increase ET-1 mRNA levels whereas PMA was ineffective. Using a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) fusion plasmid containing the CAT gene and the 5'-flanking region of the ET-1 gene (Lee, M. E., Bloch, K. D., Clifford, J. A., and Quertermous, T. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 10446-10450), we observed that 1.67 x 10(-8) M insulin increased CAT enzyme activity and mRNA levels. The insulin dose-response curve observed for CAT activity correlated with that observed for ET-1 mRNA levels. These results suggest that insulin stimulates expression of the ET-1 gene at the transcriptional level via its own receptors. This effect is mediated mostly through a protein kinase C-independent pathway, suggesting the existence of an insulin-responsive element in the ET-1 gene 5'-flanking sequence.

Heterogeneity of expression and secretion of native and mutant [AspB10]insulin in AtT20 cells

AtT20 (pituitary corticotroph) cells were transfected with either the native or a mutant [AspB10]rat insulin II gene, using a plasmid containing the insulin gene and a neomycin resistance gene under the control of independent constitutive promoters. The cellular immunoreactive insulin (IRI) content ranged from 0.8-440 ng/10(6) cells, with the highest value similar to that found for a rat insulinoma cell line (RIN) and corresponding to approximately 1% that of native pancreatic B-cells. There was a direct correlation between insulin mRNA levels and IRI content and no correlation between mRNA levels and rat insulin II gene copy number. Furthermore, in some lines the insulin II transgene was lost even though the gene encoding neomycin resistance was retained. IRI release was stimulated up to 4-fold by isobutylmethylxanthine in all lines transfected with the native rat insulin II gene, and HPLC analysis showed most IRI as fully processed insulin, with less than 5% as proinsulin. These cells, thus, directed most proinsulin to secretory granules for conversion and regulated release regardless of the absolute amount of IRI expressed. One of the lines transfected with the AspB10 mutant gene (line AA9) released nearly 50% of IRI as proinsulin under basal conditions, with stimulation of insulin, but not proinsulin, release by isobutylmethylxanthine. This confirmed our previous finding of partial diversion of this mutant proinsulin from the regulated to the constitutive pathway. A second line (IC6) expressing the same mutant gene at much higher levels appeared to direct all mutant proinsulin to the regulated pathway, suggesting that for this particular mutant proinsulin, the secretory pathway employed by the transfected cells can be affected by the amount of proinsulin synthesized.

The adenovirus EIIA enhancer. Analysis of regulatory sequences and changes in binding activity of ATF and EIIF following adenovirus infection

Adenovirus EIIA upstream sequences which contain the binding sites for proteins ATF and EIIF act as an enhancer and can be trans-activated by both E1A and SV40 T/t-antigens. Specific mutation of either the ATF or EIIF binding site demonstrates that both act as positive regulators, decreasing transcription greater than 10-fold. Mutation of both the ATF and EIIF binding sites inhibited the EIIA enhancer 200-fold. Analysis of insertion mutations suggests that the spatial alignment of the upstream ATF and EIIF binding sites with respect to the downstream EIIF binding site on the DNA helix is important. Consistent with previous findings, using gel shift analysis we demonstrate that the binding activity of EIIF is increased following wild-type adenovirus infection. In contrast, using identical gel shift conditions, the binding activity of ATF is decreased by viral infection.

Stimulation of the adenovirus E2 promoter by simian virus 40 T antigen or E1A occurs by different mechanisms

We have examined the ability of simian virus 40 T antigen to stimulate transcription from the adenovirus E2 promoter. T antigen, produced from a cotransfected plasmid, stimulated chloramphenicol acetyltransferase enzyme and mRNA production from an E2 promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion plasmid (pEC113) in monkey kidney CV-1 cells. The level of stimulation of E2 transcription by simian virus 40 T antigen was equal to that observed in cotransfections of pEC113 and the adenovirus E1A gene product. Deletion mutations from the 5' end of the E2 promoter were examined for their ability to express basal, T-antigen, or E1A trans-activated promoter activity. In each case, deletion of upstream promoter sequences to -70 base pairs reduced chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression to approximately 30% of the level observed with the intact E2 promoter. Deletion to -59 base pairs resulted in chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression that was 3 to 5% of that observed with the intact E2 promoter. At saturating levels of the stimulatory proteins, the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase levels obtained in response to T antigen and adenovirus E1A were additive. COS-1 cells, which are derived from CV-1 cells and constitutively express simian virus 40 T antigen, do not support E2 promoter trans activation by T antigen. E1A trans activation of the E2 promoter is efficient in COS-1 cells. These results suggest that although promoter sequence requirements are similar, T antigen and E1A trans activate the E2 promoter by different mechanisms.

Interaction between two transcriptional control sequences required for tumor-antigen-mediated simian virus 40 late gene expression

Transcriptional control signals required for tumor (T)-antigen trans-activation of the simian virus 40 (SV40) late promoter include T-antigen binding sites I and II and the SV40 72-base-pair (bp) repeats. We have used in vivo competition studies to examine how these signals function in relationship to one another. In vivo competition with recombinant plasmids containing the entire SV40 late regulatory region and promoter sequences [map position (mp) 5171-272] results in quantitative removal of limiting trans-acting factor(s) required for late gene expression in COS-1 cells. Deletion of either the T-antigen binding sites (mp 5171-5243) or the 72-bp tandem repeat (mp 128-272) from the competitor plasmid results in markedly less efficient binding of the trans-acting factor, as judged by the loss of competition. Cotransfection of two separate plasmids, one containing the T-antigen binding sites I and II and the other containing the 72-bp repeats, fails to compete for the trans-acting factors. Insertion of increasing lengths of DNA sequences between the T-antigen binding sites and the enhancer sequences also dramatically reduces the efficiency of competition. These results suggest that efficient binding of trans-acting factors requires the presence, in cis, of at least two SV40 regulatory domains. Our studies further suggest that the distance separating these two transcriptional signals is important.

Direct evidence for de-novo synthesis of LH receptors in cultured pig granulosa cells in response to FSH

FSH plus insulin, cortisol, and thyroxine (IFT) stimulated incorporation of dense isotope-containing (2H, 13C, 15N) amino acids into soluble 125I-labelled hCG binding sites. Evidence of new synthesis of binding sites appeared as early as 3 h after the beginning of the pulse-labelling period. By 48 h the majority of detectable soluble 125I-labelled hCG binding sites appeared to be newly synthesized. Studies with FSH + IFT and puromycin indicated that FSH + IFT stimulated synthesis of new LH/hCG binding sites, and that internalization or degradation of LH/hCG binding sites may also require protein synthesis.

Analysis of maternal IgG subpopulations which are transported into the chicken oocyte

Chicken serum and oocyte IgG were compared. Purified intact IgG and mercuripapain-produced Fc fragments of yolk and serum IgG were analysed by isoelectric focusing. All IgG bands were identical, indicating that all subpopulations of serum IgG were present in the yolk. Upon papain hydrolysis of both serum and yolk IgG, four identical Fc bands were produced from all serum and yolk samples. Sialic acid measurements showed that there was no significant difference in sialic acid content between serum and oocyte IgG. From these results we conclude that: (i) ovarian IgG receptor(s) selectively transports all subpopulations of maternal IgG; (ii) there is no selective destruction of IgG during transport; and (iii) yolk IgG has the same amount of sialic acid as the serum IgG.

Stimulatory effect of luteinizing hormone upon relaxin secretion by cultured porcine preovulatory granulosa cells

Relaxin, a peptide hormone capable of causing connective tissue alterations, is produced by the corpus luteum and traditionally considered a hormone of pregnancy. We have cultured granulosa cells from preovulatory porcine follicles and have found that these non-pregnancy associated cells secrete relaxin, and that luteinizing hormone, which stimulates ovulation, enhances relaxin secretion by cells from large preovulatory follicles. These results suggest that relaxin secreted prior to ovulation may have a local ovarian effect, perhaps facilitating ovulation.

Intraovarian control of granulosa cell luteinization

The entire ovarian follicle population is exposed to the same extraovarian hormonal environment, whereas only a select number of follicles ovulate. Local control of follicular maturation must, therefore, occur. Immature porcine granulosa cells will exhibit morphological and biochemical "luteinization" if cultured in the proper hormonal environment. This laboratory has investigated the role of follicular fluid factor in controlling this in vitro granulosa cell maturation. Follicular fluid from immature follicles inhibited LH hCG receptor induction and progesterone secretion in granulosa cell cultures. Fluid from mature follicles, however, exerted only a modest inhibition of LH hCG receptor induction and stimulated progesterone secretion. Estradiol-17 beta was inhibitory of progesterone secretion during early culture periods while stimulating LH hCG receptor induction. These studies demonstrate that follicular fluid environment may modulate granulosa cell maturation.