Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) regulates tyrosine hydroxylase and proenkephalin mRNA levels in adrenal chromaffin cells

Integrative nuclear FGFR1 signaling (INFS) as a part of a universal ?feed-forward-and-gate? signaling module that controls cell growth and differentiation

A novel signaling mechanism is described through which extracellular signals and intracellular signaling pathways regulate proliferation, growth, differentiation, and other functions of cells in the nervous system. Upon cell stimulation, fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1), a typically plasma membrane-associated protein, is released from ER membranes into the cytosol and translocates to the cell nucleus by an importin-beta-mediated transport pathway along with its ligand, FGF-2. The nuclear accumulation of FGFR1 is activated by changes in cell contacts and by stimulation of cells with growth factors, neurotransmitters and hormones as well as by a variety of different second messengers and thus was named integrative nuclear FGFR1 signaling (INFS). In the nucleus, FGFR1 localizes specifically within nuclear matrix-attached speckle-domains, which are known to be sites for RNA Pol II-mediated transcription and co-transcriptional pre-mRNA processing. In these domains, nuclear FGFR1 colocalizes with RNA transcription sites, splicing factors, modified histones, phosphorylated RNA Pol II, and signaling kinases. Within the nucleus, FGFR1 serves as a general transcriptional regulator, as indicated by its association with the majority of active nuclear centers of RNA synthesis and processing, by the ability of nuclear FGFR1 to activate structurally distinct genes located on different chromosomes and by its stimulation of multi-gene programs for cell growth and differentiation. We propose that FGFR1 is part of a universal "feed-forward-and-gate" signaling module in which classical signaling cascades initiated by specific membrane receptors transmit signals to sequence specific transcription factors (ssTFs), while INFS elicited by the same stimuli feeds the signal forward to the common coactivator, CREB-binding protein (CBP). Activation of CBP by INFS, along with the activation of ssTFs by classical signaling cascades brings about coordinated responses from structurally different genes located at different genomic loci.

Integrative nuclear FGFR1 signaling (INFS) pathway mediates activation of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene by angiotensin II, depolarization and protein kinase C

The integrative nuclear FGFR1 signaling (INFS) pathway functions in association with cellular growth, differentiation, and regulation of gene expression, and is activated by diverse extracellular signals. Here we show that stimulation of angiotensin II (AII) receptors, depolarization, or activation protein kinase C (PKC) or adenylate cyclase all lead to nuclear accumulation of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) and FGFR1, association of FGFR1 with splicing factor-rich domains, and activation of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene promoter in bovine adrenal medullary cells (BAMC). The up-regulation of endogenous TH protein or a transfected TH promoter-luciferase construct by AII, veratridine, or PMA (but not by forskolin) is abolished by transfection with a dominant negative FGFR1TK-mutant which localizes to the nucleus and plasma membrane, but not by extracellularly acting FGFR1 antagonists suramin and inositolhexakisphosphate (IP6). Mechanism of TH gene activation by FGF-2 and FGFR1 was further investigated in BAMC and human TE671 cultures. TH promoter was activated by co-transfected HMW FGF-2 (which is exclusively nuclear) but not by cytoplasmic FGF-1 or extracellular FGFs. Promoter transactivation by HMWFGF-2 was accompanied by an up-regulation of FGFR1 specifically in the cell nucleus and was prevented FGFR1(TK-) but not by IP6 or suramin. The TH promoter was also transactivated by co-transfected wild-type FGFR1, which localizes to both to the nucleus and the plasma membrane, and by an exclusively nuclear, soluble FGFR1(SP-/NLS) mutant with an inserted nuclear localization signal. Activation of the TH promoter by nuclear FGFR1 and FGF-2 was mediated through the cAMP-responsive element (CRE) and was associated with induction of CREB- and CBP/P-300-containing CRE complexes. We propose a new model for gene regulation in which nuclear FGFR1 acts as a mediator of CRE transactivation by AII, cell depolarization, and PKC.

Intrinsic GABA neurons inhibit proenkephalin gene expression in slice cultures of rat neostriatum

In the neostriatum, the proenkephalin gene is expressed in medium spiny GABA neurons, which project to the globus pallidus. The expression is activated by glutamatergic projections from the neocortex via NMDA receptors. In these experiments we have used slice cultures of rat neostriatum to study the role of GABA in proenkephalin gene expression. Our results show that GABA is released from neostriatal neurons and negatively regulates the proenkephalin gene expression induced by NMDA receptor stimulation. The GABAA receptors involved seem to be colocalized with NMDA receptors on the projection neurons, which express the proenkephalin gene. In further experiments, we have found that the proenkephalin gene expression is not only activated by neocortical projection neurons but also by intrinsic striatal neurons as well as by projections from the thalamus. All these glutamatergic afferents enhance the proenkephalin gene expression via NMDA receptors. Their efficacy is regulated by endogenous GABA.

Regulation of chromogranin biosynthesis by neurotrophic growth factors in neuroblastoma cells

Polypeptide growth factors secreted from the target tissue determine the choice of transmitter synthesis in the innervating nerves. We have investigated whether they also influence the expression of chromogranins and neuropeptide Y, components co-stored with the neurotransmitters within large dense-core vesicles. IMR-32 and SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were treated for up to six days with various neurotrophic growth and differentiation factors. For chromogranins A and B, no significant changes at the mRNA level were observed and for chromogranin A this was confirmed at the protein level. The expression of secretogranin II/pro-secretoneurin mRNA, however, was considerably enhanced in both cell lines after basic fibroblast growth factor treatment. In IMR-32 cells we determined a fast and continuous induction, whereas the up-regulation in SH-SY5Y cells was more delayed. A transient elevation of secretogranin II/pro-secretoneurin mRNA levels was seen in SH-SY5Y cells in response to epidermal growth factor. In these cells we also measured the amounts of secretogranin II/pro-secretoneurin protein which were increased by both growth factors. In addition to the above described changes in secretogranin II/pro-secretoneurin biosynthesis we extended and confirmed data available on neuropeptide Y. We found a qualitatively similar pattern of biosynthesis regulation as for secretogranin II/pro-secretoneurin, indicating that the ultimately increased expression of the two proteins may be characteristic of the phenotypic differentiation after growth factor treatment. Moreover, this finding of a concomitant regulation further emphasizes the concept of secretogranin II/pro-secretoneurin being a neuropeptide precursor from which the functional peptide secretoneurin is proteolytically liberated.

Evidence for cell specific regulation by PACAP38 of the proenkephalin gene expression in neocortical cells

During the first postnatal week, glial cell production for the neocortex continues in the neocortical subventricular zone. During this time, the proenkephalin gene (PEnk) is expressed in numerous cells of the subventricular zone and of the adjacent neocortex. When neocortical astroglial cells are brought into dissociation culture, they also produce PEnk mRNA. We have investigated the effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide-38 (PACAP38) on PEnk gene expression in dissociation cultures as well as in slice cultures, which contained the subventricular zone and the adjacent neocortex. PACAP38 enhanced the levels of PEnk mRNA in both culture systems. In dissociated astroglial cells, inhibition of protein kinase A, of p44,42 mitogen-activated protein kinase as well as of the EGF-receptor tyrosine kinase by H89, PD98059 and AG1478, respectively, reduced the PACAP38-induced expression in a synergistic manner. In the neocortical part of the slice cultures, the effect of PACAP38 on PEnk gene expression was inhibited only by H89 and PD98059. Here, protein kinase A and p44,42 MAP kinases shared a mechanism which increased the gene expression. Surprisingly, the expression of the PEnk gene in the glial progenitors of the subventricular zone as induced by PACAP38 was not affected by any of the three protein kinase inhibitors, but was blocked by the unspecific kinase inhibitor H7. It is concluded that PACAP38 induced the PEnk gene expression in both culture systems in a cell-type specific manner.

Distinct and common pathways in the regulation of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor gene expression by angiotensin II and basic fibroblast growth factor

Angiotensin II (Ang II) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are important modulators of cell growth under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. We and others have previously shown that these growth factors increase insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) number and mRNA in vascular smooth muscle cells and that this effect is transcriptionally regulated. To study the mechanisms and the signaling pathways involved, IGF-1R promoter reporter constructs were transiently transfected in CHO-AT1 cells that overexpress angiotensin AT1 receptors. Our findings indicate that Ang II and bFGF significantly increased IGF-1R promoter activity up to 7- and 3-fold, respectively. The effect induced by Ang II was mediated via a tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanism, since tyrphostin A25 largely inhibited the Ang II-induced increase in promoter activity. In addition, co-transfection of dominant negative Ras, Raf, and MEK1 or pretreatment with the MEK inhibitor PD 98059 dose-dependently decreased both the Ang II- and bFGF-induced increase in IGF-1R transcription and protein expression, suggesting that the Ras-Raf-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase pathway is required for both growth factors. Reactive oxygen species have been shown to act as second messengers in Ang II-induced signaling, and activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB is redox-sensitive. While co-transfection of dominant negative IkappaBalpha mutant completely inhibited the Ang II-induced increase in transcription, it had no effect on the bFGF signaling. In contrast, co-transfection studies indicated that the transcription factors STAT1, STAT3, and c-Jun and the Janus kinase 2 kinase are required in the signaling pathway of bFGF, whereas only dominant c-Jun inhibited the Ang II-induced effect. In summary, these data demonstrate that Ang II and bFGF increase IGF-1R gene transcription via distinct as well as shared pathways and have important implications for understanding growth-stimulatory effects of these growth factors on vascular cells.

Transcriptional regulation of fibroblast growth factor-2 expression in human astrocytes: implications for cell plasticity

Induction of the fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) gene and the consequent accumulation of FGF-2 in the nucleus are operative events in mitotic activation and hypertrophy of human astrocytes. In the brain, these events are associated with cellular degeneration and may reflect release of the FGF-2 gene from cell contact inhibition. We used cultures of human astrocytes to examine whether expression of FGF-2 is also controlled by soluble growth factors. Treatment of subconfluent astrocytes with interleukin-1beta, epidermal or platelet-derived growth factors, 18-kDa FGF-2, or serum or direct stimulation of protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or adenylate cyclase with forskolin increased the levels of 18-, 22-, and 24-kDa FGF-2 isoforms and FGF-2 mRNA. Transfection of FGF-2 promoter-luciferase constructs identified a unique -555/-513 bp growth factor-responsive element (GFRE) that confers high basal promoter activity and activation by growth factors to a downstream promoter region. It also identified a separate region (-624/-556 bp) essential for PKC and cAMP stimulation. DNA-protein binding assays indicated that novel cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors mediate activation of the FGF-2 gene. Southwestern analysis identified 40-, 50-, 60-, and 100-kDa GFRE-binding proteins and 165-, 112-, and 90-kDa proteins that interacted with the PKC/cAMP-responsive region. The GFRE and the element essential for PKC and cAMP stimulation overlap with the region that mediates cell contact inhibition of the FGF-2 promoter. The results show a two-stage regulation of the FGF-2 gene: 1) an initial induction by reduced cell contact, and 2) further activation by growth factors or the PKC-signaling pathway. The hierarchic regulation of the FGF-2 gene promoter by cell density and growth factors or PKC reflects a two-stage activation of protein binding to the GFRE and to the PKC/cAMP-responsive region, respectively.

Over-expression of the 18 kD and 21/23 kD fibroblast growth factor-2 isoforms in PC12 cells and Schwann cells results in altered cell morphology and growth

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) occurs in different isoforms which represent alternative translation products from a single mRNA. The question of whether the presence of multiple FGF-2 isoforms has physiological implications is compelling but unresolved so far. However, it has been shown recently that the FGF-2 isoforms are differentially regulated in sensory ganglia and peripheral nerve following nerve injury and, moreover, in the adrenal medulla during postnatal development and after hormonal stimuli suggesting that the isoforms may serve different physiological functions. To investigate isoform-specific effects we have established immortalized Schwann cells and PC12 cells stably over-expressing the 18 kD and the HMW isoforms. We found that the over-expression of the different isoforms alters morphology and growth of the Schwann cells. PC12 cells over-expressing the 18 kD FGF-2 were found to differentiate towards the neuronal phenotype whereas over-expression of the HMW isoforms resulted in a stabilization of the endocrine phenotype. Taken together, these data corroborate the idea of FGF-2 isoform-specific functions.

Increased tyrosine phosphorylation and novel cis-acting element mediate activation of the fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) gene by nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. New mechanism for trans-synaptic regulation of cellular development and plasticity

FGF-2, a mitogenic/neurotrophic protein, controls the development and plasticity of many types of neural cells. In neural crest-derived adrenal pheochromatocytes, induction of FGF-2 coincides with the establishment of functional innervation and is reproduced in vitro by stimulating acetylcholine receptors (AChR). The mechanisms by which AChR activate the FGF-2 gene were examined in cultured bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin (BAMC) cells in which AChR induce expression and nuclear accumulation of growth-promoting FGF-2 and FGF-2 receptors. Carbachol or nicotine increased expression of transfected FGF-2 gene promoter-luciferase constructs and were more potent than the muscarinic agonist ABMCB. Deletion analysis has identified a unique -555/-512 bp element that confers AChR stimulation and basal activity to the downstream FGF-2 promoter, and a separate protein kinase C/cAMP-responsive sequence (-625/-555 bp). Stimulation of AChR increased in vitro formation of protein complexes with the AChR-responsive element which were not displaced by target oligonucleotides for common trans-activators. Southwestern analysis identified 50-55, 125, 140 and 170 kDa proteins that interact with the AChR-responsive element in a manner stimulated by AChR. Nicotine increased tyrosine phosphorylation of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins, including 50-55 kDa promoter-binding factors. Activation of the FGF-2 promoter was reduced by genistein. Thus, nicotinic AChR activate the FGF-2 gene via a new signaling mechanism separate from the cAMP/PKC pathways. It utilizes tyrosine phosphorylation and interaction of trans-activating factors with a novel cis-acting element. It offers a new pathway through which trans-synaptic signals may control neural development and plasticity.

Growth factor regulation of cell growth and proliferation in the nervous system. A new intracrine nuclear mechanism

This article discusses a novel intracrine mechanism of growth-factor action in the nervous system whereby fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and its receptor accumulate in the cell nucleus and act as mediators in the control of cell growth and proliferation. In human and rat brain the levels and subcellular localization of FGF-2 differ between quiescent and reactive astrocytes. Quiescent cells express a low level of FGF-2, which is located predominantly within the cytoplasm. In reactive astrocytes, the expression of FGF-2 increases and the proteins are found in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. In glioma tumors, FGF-2 is overexpressed in the nuclei of neoplastic cells. Similar changes in FGF-2 expression and localization are found in vitro. The nuclear accumulation of FGF-2 reflects a transient activation of the FGF-2 gene by potentially novel transactivating factors interacting with an upstream regulatory promoter region. In parallel with FGF-2, the nuclei of astrocytes contain the high-affinity FGF-2 receptor, FGFR1. Nuclear FGFR1 is full length, retains kinase activity, and is localized within the nuclear interior in association with the nuclear matrix. Transfection of either FGF-2 or FGFR1 into cells that do not normally express these proteins results in their nuclear accumulation and concomitant increases in cell proliferation. A similar regulation of nuclear FGF-2 and FGFR1 is observed in neural crestderived adrenal medullary cells and of FGF-2 in the nuclei of cerebellar neurons. Thus, the regulation of the nuclear content of FGF-2 and FGFR1 could serve as a novel mechanism controlling growth and proliferation of glial and neuronal cells.

Requirement for cAMP/calcium response element but not AP-1 site in fibroblast growth factor-2-elicited activation of tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression in PC12 cells

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) mediates numerous important physiological processes, including differentiation and survival of dopaminergic neurons. FGF-2 was found to trigger elevation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene expression in PC12 cells that was sustained for 1-8 days. FGF-2 induced chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter activity under control of the TH promoter, indicating that the induction is transcriptionally mediated. The transcriptional activation of TH by FGF-2 was examined using various deletions and point mutations of the 5' flanking region controlling CAT reporter activity. In contrast to the reported mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of TH expression by NGF and phorbol esters, the AP-1 site at -205/-199 was not required for the activation by FGF-2. A construct containing only 60 nucleotides of the promoter was still inducible by FGF-2. However, a construct with a point mutation in the CRE/CaRE was not responsive to induction by FGF-2. These findings indicate that the CRE/CaRE, but not the AP-1, element is required for induction by FGF-2 and point to differences between NGF and FGF-2 in the regulation of TH gene expression.

Basic fibroblast growth factor, its high- and low-affinity receptors, and their relationship to form-deprivation myopia in the chick

Form deprivation myopia in chickens is a widely accepted model to study visually-regulated postnatal ocular growth. Recently we showed that basic fibroblast growth factor-2 provides a "stop" signal for the growing eye. To understand further its action, we have localized basic fibroblast growth factor-2 and its low- and high-affinity receptors in the chicken eye, and determined the localization of basic fibroblast growth factor receptors in the inner plexiform layer with respect to that of neurotransmitter systems known to play a role in form-deprivation myopia. By immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization, two complementary methods, we found that nearly all cells in the retina, and scleral chondrocytes, contain basic fibroblast growth factor-2 protein and messenger RNA as well as high-affinity basic fibroblast growth factor receptor protein and messenger RNA. Immunocytochemical localization of basic fibroblast growth factor-2 binding sites (a high resolution alternative to autoradiography), combined with N-glycanase and heparitinase treatment or heparin competition, revealed additional binding sites in specific synaptic layers of the inner plexiform layer and low-affinity binding sites in the choroid and optic fibre layer. Some binding sites in the synaptic layers were found to co-stratify with neurites of dopamine-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide- or enkephalin-containing amacrine cells, suggesting that basic fibroblast growth factor-2 could modulate synaptic transmission to or from these cells. Form deprivation did not affect the levels of basic fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 messenger RNA in retina/retinal pigment epithelium/choroid (Northern blotting), but it abolished the decrease in amount of extractable basic fibroblast growth factor normally observed in the dark (Western blotting). The results are discussed with respect to previous findings on basic fibroblast growth factor-2 and basic fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 localization in the avian and other vertebrate eyes, and their relevance to form-deprivation myopia. The widespread distribution of basic fibroblast growth factor-2 and its receptor makes it impossible to predict which cells might mediate the action of basic fibroblast growth factor-2 in form-deprivation myopia. However, the alteration in amounts of extractable retinal basic fibroblast growth factor-2 in form-deprived, dark-adapted retinas, in which basic fibroblast growth factor-2 probably serves as a "stop" signal for ocular growth, is consistent with a role for basic fibroblast growth factor-2 in the regulation of ocular growth.

Inherited retinal degeneration: basic FGF induces phagocytic competence in cultured RPE cells from RCS rats

In RCS rats, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is defective in phagocytosis of photoreceptor membranes. We have previously shown reduced expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the RPE of 7-10-day-old RCS rats. This study using primary RPE cultures from rats of this age demonstrates that the phagocytic defect in the mutant RPE can be overcome by treatment with bFGF, by a mechanism involving gene transcription and that normal RPE phagocytosis, also requiring transcription, is blocked by a bFGF neutralizing antibody. The combined data point to a role for bFGF in the normal mechanism of RPE phagocytosis and the RCS defect.

Differential expression of FGF-2 isoforms in the rat adrenal medulla during postnatal development in vivo

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) isoforms of the adrenal medulla are differentially expressed during rat postnatal development. While the 18 and 23 kDa isoforms continuously rise towards the adult expression level, the 21 kDa isoform displays a peak expression at postnatal day 28. The peak expression of the 21 kDa isoform correlates with the peak of the corticosterone concentration during postnatal development. Together with the previously demonstrated increase of the 21 kDa isoform in the adrenal medulla in vivo after glucocorticoid administration these results suggest that the differential regulation of the FGF-2 isoforms could be a physiologically occurring mechanism.

Nuclear accumulation of fibroblast growth factor receptors is regulated by multiple signals in adrenal medullary cells

In an effort to determine the localization of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors (FGFR) that could mediate the intracellular action of FGF-2, we discovered the presence of high-affinity. FGF-2 binding sites in the nuclei of bovine adrenal medullary cells (BAMC). Western blot analysis demonstrated the presence of 103-, 118-, and 145-kDa forms of FGFR1 in nuclei isolated from BAMC. 125I-FGF-2 cross-linking to nuclear extracts followed by FGFR1 immunoprecipitation showed that FGFR1 can account for the nuclear FGF-2 binding sites. Nuclear FGFR1 has kinase activity and undergoes autophosphorylation. Immunocytochemistry with the use of confocal and electron microscopes demonstrated the presence of FGFR1 within the nuclear interior. Nuclear subfractionation followed by Western blot or immunoelectron microscopic analysis showed that the nuclear FGFR1 is contained in the nuclear matrix and the nucleoplasm. Agents that induce translocation of endogenous FGF-2 to the nucleus (forskolin, carbachol, or angiotensin II) increased the intranuclear accumulation of FGFR1. This accumulation was accompanied by an overall increase in FGF-2-inducible tyrosine kinase activity. Our findings suggest a novel mode for growth factor action whereby growth factor receptors translocate to the nucleus in parallel with their ligand and act as direct mediators of nuclear responses to cell stimulation.

In vivo and in vitro effect of glucocorticoids on fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and FGF receptor 1 expression

In order to clarify the physiological function of fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) in the adrenal medulla the regulation of FGF-2 and FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) was studied in vitro and in vivo in response to glucocorticoids. To assess the effects of glucocorticoids, in vivo extracts of adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex were analyzed by RNase protection assay and Western blot analysis. PC12 cells were chosen as a model system to study the effects of glucocorticoids in vitro. In PC12 cells, dexamethasone (DEX) was found to stimulate dramatically the expression of both FGF-2 mRNA and protein. Western blot analysis revealed that exclusively the 21-kDa FGF-2 isoform was enhanced. In contrast to the FGF-2 mRNA level FGFR1 was not affected by treatment with glucocorticoids. In vivo FGF-2 mRNA level and 21-kDa FGF-2 isoform level are significantly enhanced in the adrenal medulla 24 h after DEX injection. In vivo application of DEX leads to an increase of the medullary and cortical FGFR1 transcript levels. Glucocorticoid effects on FGF-2 expression were not found in adrenal cortex, heart, skeletal muscle, and kidney, respectively, in vivo and in L6 rat myoblasts in vitro. In addition to adrenal medullary cells glucocorticoids elevated the FGF-2 mRNA and protein level also in vivo in the brain and in vitro in immortalized Schwann cells. The present results suggest that the 21-kDa FGF-2 isoform mediates a physiological function specific for neuronal tissue which is modulated by glucocorticoids.

Nuclear localization of functional FGF receptor 1 in human astrocytes suggests a novel mechanism for growth factor action

Fractionation of human astrocytes revealed the presence of 103, 118, and 145 kDa forms of FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) in isolated nuclei. Only trace amounts of FGFR1 proteins were detected in the cell membrane or cytoplasmic fractions. Nuclear FGFR1 is found in the nucleoplasm and nuclear matrix but not in chromatin. Immuno-confocal microscopy further demonstrates the intranuclear presence of FGFR1 and its colocalization with FGF-2. Nuclear FGFR1 binds to FGF-2 and has tyrosine kinase activity. Translocation of functional growth factor receptors into the cell nucleus offers a novel mechanism for growth factor action.

Promoter regions involved in density-dependent regulation of basic fibroblast growth factor gene expression in human astrocytic cells

Expression of mitogenic basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the central nervous system is inhibited by direct cell contact and is implicated in reactive and neoplastic transformation of astrocytes. The molecular mechanisms controlling expression of bFGF were examined in cultures of human astrocytes. Cell-density-dependent depletion of bFGF mRNA levels parallels changes in bFGF gene protein. Regulation of transcription of a bFGF luciferase reporter gene containing an upstream region (bp -1800 to +314) of the bFGF gene promoter mimicks the density-dependent regulation of the endogenous bFGF gene in transfected astrocytes. Deletion analysis has identified a fragment (bp -650 to -513) and sequences further downstream (bp -274 to +314) as the regions required for the regulation of bFGF gene activity by cell density. Unlike in astrocytes, changing the cell density of glioma cell cultures does not affect the levels of bFGF protein and mRNA. bFGF luciferase constructs were expressed at the same level in high- or low-density cultures of glioma cells, indicating altered regulation of the bFGF gene promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed binding of nuclear proteins to a fragment of bFGF gene promoter from bp -650 to -453. This binding was abolished by a deletion of the upstream cell-density-responsive region (bp -650 to -512). Binding was observed with nuclear extracts from subconfluent astrocytes but was reduced in extracts from confluent astrocytes. Our results indicate that induction of bFGF in astrocytes upon reduction of cell density is mediated transcriptionally by positive trans-acting factors interacting with bFGF promoter. In contrast, nuclear proteins from glioma cells bind to the promoter region from bp -650 to -453 independent of cell density. Thus, the constitutive binding of trans-acting factor(s) to the region of the bFGF promoter from bp -650 to -453 may be responsible for the continuous expression of bFGF that leads to the uncontrolled growth of glioma cells.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 in the adrenal gland and PC12 cells: developmental expression and regulation by extrinsic molecules

In the present study we have analyzed the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR-1) mRNA in the developing and adult rat adrenal gland and in PC12 cells under different culture conditions. For this purpose a sensitive ribonuclease protection assay using 33P-labelled riboprobes was established. 33P-labelled riboprobes show a high resolution and are relatively easy to handle. FGFR-1 mRNA was found to be present in the postnatal and adult adrenal gland. In the cortex high levels of FGFR-1 mRNA were detected at postnatal day (P) 1 and P8, during the third week the mRNA levels declined, and reached low levels during adulthood. PC12 cells also contained detectable amounts of FGFR-1 mRNA. With the exception of NGF, however, the different treatment procedures did not affect FGFR-1 mRNA levels. The expression pattern of the FGFR-1 transcript matches that of the expression of FGF-2 and of the mitotic activity in the developing and adult cortex. This supports the idea that FGF-2 might act as an autocrine mitogen for adrenocortical cells. In the medulla FGFR-1 mRNA levels were low at the first 3 postnatal weeks and increased towards the adult. In accordance with the developing expression pattern of FGF-2 in the medulla and in vitro effects of this protein on chromaffin and PC12 cells an autocrine/paracrine role as a maintenance and differentiation factor for chromaffin cells is conceivable.

Prominent expression of bFGF in dorsal root ganglia after axotomy

Using quantitative in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry the expression of acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF, bFGF) in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) was examined. Around 5% of the small neurons expressed bFGF mRNA in normal DRGs. Nerve injury induced a very dramatic and rapid up-regulation in bFGF mRNA levels, and around 80% of all DRG neurons expressed bFGF mRNA 3 days after axotomy. A distinct increase in bFGF-like immunoreactivity (LI) was also detected as early as 15 h after axotomy. The elevation of bFGF mRNA and protein levels declined after 1 week. bFGF mRNA was also up-regulated in non-neuronal cells following axotomy. Normally bFGF-LI was mainly localized in the nuclei of DRG neurons and in some non-neuronal cells. After nerve section, bFGF-LI was in addition found in the cytoplasm, and many more bFGF-positive non-neuronal cells were observed. By means of confocal microscopy analysis of axotomized DRGs, some bFGF-LI could be detected in vesicle-like structures in the cytoplasm as well as in the nucleoli, in addition to the nuclear location. Application of leukaemia inhibitory factor to the transected sciatic nerve significantly increased the number of bFGF-positive neurons, whereas the bFGF-LI in non-neuronal cells was strongly suppressed. About 70% of the normal DRG neurons expressed aFGF mRNA and aFGF-LI. Axotomy produced a moderate increase in aFGF mRNA levels, but no detectable effect on protein levels. Taken together, the results show that bFGF may be involved in the neuronal response to injury and suggest a role in neuronal survival and regeneration in axotomized DRG neurons.

Gene-peptide relationships in the developing rat brain: the response of preproenkephalin mRNA and [Met5]-enkephalin to acute opioid antagonist (naltrexone) exposure

[Met5]-enkephalin, encoded by the preproenkephalin (PPE) gene, serves as a growth factor during brain development in addition to its role as a neurotransmitter. This study examined the relationship of gene and peptide expression in the developing (postnatal day 6) rat brain by disrupting peptide-receptor interaction with either a brief (4-6 h) or continuous opioid receptor blockade using a single injection of 1 or 50 mg/kg naltrexone (NTX), respectively; such perturbations result in growth inhibition or acceleration, respectively. In the caudate putamen, an area that has completed neurogenesis by postnatal day 6 and has an abundance of PPE mRNA and enkephalins in adulthood, NTX did not influence PPE mRNA in either NTX group, or the enkephalin levels in the 1 mg/kg NTX group. [Met5]-enkephalin values in the neostriatum, however, were 67-183% greater than controls in rats given 50 mg/kg NTX, beginning 5 min after drug injection. In the cerebellum, PPE mRNA expression was depressed from 5 min to 4 h in the 1 mg/kg NTX group, and was normal thereafter; mRNA levels in the 50 mg/kg NTX group were markedly subnormal for 24 h. Enkephalin levels were significantly depressed within 5 min of drug injection and remained so for 4 h in the 1 mg/kg NTX group, but were elevated to approximately 135% of control values at 8, 16, and 24 h. Enkephalin levels were not changed in the cerebellum of the 50 mg/kg NTX group, or in the plasma of either NTX group. These data suggest that a single exposure to NTX can affect transcriptional and translational mechanisms related to PPE mRNA and opioid peptide expression in a rapid and sustained manner, and that this treatment elicits a specific pattern of alterations dependent upon the brain region sampled, drug dosage, and/or the duration of opioid receptor blockade. Additionally, our results indicate that the decreased DNA synthesis in external germinal cells occurring after opioid receptor blockade as recorded earlier may be related to an increase in the potent opioid growth factor, [Met5]-enkephalin.

Stimulation of dopaminergic amacrine cells by stroboscopic illumination or fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, FGF-2) injections: possible roles in prevention of form-deprivation myopia in the chick

Form-deprivation myopia (FDM) in the chick is a popular model for studying the postnatal regulation of ocular growth. Using this model, we have shown previously that dopamine and FGF-2 can counteract the effects of form-deprivation, thereby producing emmetropia. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the emmetropizing effects of flickering light and intraocular injections of FGF-2 in the chick are mediated by the activity of dopaminergic retinal amacrine cells. We have assessed the rate of dopamine synthesis in the retina by measuring the accumulation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). We found that form-deprivation reduces the rate of dopamine synthesis in the light-adapted retina, and that the normal rate of dopamine synthesis in the light can be restored by stroboscopic illumination at frequencies around 10 Hz. By labeling cells immunocytochemically we have shown that the synthesis of c-fos, a putative transcriptional regulator of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene, is induced in dopaminergic amacrine cells by stroboscopic illumination at around 10 Hz. These observations are consistent with a critical role for dopaminergic amacrine cells in the regulation of ocular growth by intermittent illumination. We have found also that intraocular injections of FGF-2 cause emmetropization without altering levels of expression of c-fos, amounts of tyrosine hydroxylase, or rates of dopamine synthesis with respect to vehicle-injected controls. We conclude that FGF acts either in parallel to or downstream from the dopaminergic amacrine cells, rather than through them. We observed that intravitreal injection per se induces high levels of c-fos expression in both form-deprived and non-deprived retinas, and causes partial emmetropization in form-deprived eyes, while inhibiting dopamine synthesis in non-deprived retinas. It is likely, therefore, that injection stimulates the production and/or release of unknown factors whose diverse effects on ocular growth and dopamine metabolism are mediated by complex pathways. Taken together, our results are consistent with the view that the retinal circuitry that controls postnatal ocular growth in the chick involves multiple messengers and pathways.

Involvement of reactive oxygen species in cytokine and growth factor induction of c-fos expression in chondrocytes

The cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and the growth factor basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are known to induce early response genes such as c-fos and c-jun in various cell types. Activation of AP-1, a heterodimeric complex of Fos and Jun proteins, is required for matrix metalloproteinase production and cell proliferation. However, the signaling pathways by which these two factors influence the expression and activities of AP-1 remain currently poorly characterized. Several studies have shown that cytokines induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, but growth factor induction of ROS has not been reported. In the present study we demonstrate that both TNF alpha and bFGF induce ROS production, and that this is a common signaling event involved in the stimulation of c-fos gene expression in chondrocytes. To our knowledge, this is the first report directly demonstrating ROS production upon stimulation with a growth factor. TNF alpha and bFGF induction of ROS production is mediated through flavonoid-containing enzymes such as NADPH oxidase. Moreover, the ROS nitric oxide is not responsible for the induction of c-fos expression by TNF alpha and bFGF. In addition, the inhibitory effects of antioxidants on c-fos expression may account for their protective roles against proliferative and inflammatory diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and arthritis.

Stimulation of zif/268 gene expression by basic fibroblast growth factor in primary rat striatal cultures

The presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the basal ganglia, and its known neurotrophic activity, has created interest in its possible role as an agent to attenuate striatal neurodegeneration. However, little information is available on the mechanisms through which bFGF might exert a long-term influence on striatal function. Primary cultures of embryonic rat striatal neurones were used to ascertain whether bFGF can alter the pattern of striatal gene expression. Treatment of cultures with bFGF (500 pM) resulted in a dramatic increase in the levels of zif/268 mRNA within 45 min. This induction was attenuated by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (100 microM), but not by its inactive structural analogue genistin (100 microM). The induction of zif/268 mRNA was found to occur in non-neuronal cells, with no increase in mRNA levels being observed in neurones. A similar induction was noted for another putative transcription factor, jun B, although no induction of the related factor jun D could be detected. These results show that bFGF can induce immediate-early gene expression in striatal cultures, and therefore that this may provide a mechanism, mediated by non-neuronal cells, which allows bFGF to cause a long-term change in striatal neurochemistry.

Regulation of bFGF gene expression and subcellular distribution of bFGF protein in adrenal medullary cells

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a potent mitogenic/neurotrophic factor, controls the development and plasticity of many types of neural cells. In adrenal chromaffin cells, the appearance of bFGF protein coincided with the establishment of functional innervation, suggesting induction by trans-synaptic signals. In cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells Western blot analysis revealed 18-, 23-, and 24-kD bFGF isoforms in the cytosolic and nuclear fractions. Stimulation of acetylcholine nicotinic receptors or hormonal angiotensin II receptors or the direct stimulation of adenylate cyclase with forskolin or protein kinase C (PKC) with PMA increased the content of all bFGF isoforms. Increases in the levels of intracellular bFGF did not result in detectable presence of bFGF proteins in culture medium. Instead, bFGF proteins accumulated in the cytoplasm or the nucleus depending on whether PKC or cAMP pathways were activated. The long-term nuclear forskolin-induced accumulation of bFGF was prevented by cycloheximide or by antisense bFGF oligonucleotide and was also accompanied by an increase in bFGF mRNA. We used luciferase reporter plasmids containing the human bFGF promoter to show that the induction of bFGF resulted from transcriptional activation of the bFGF gene and was mediated by regulatory sequences located upstream from its transcription start site. Stimulation of bFGF gene expression by forskolin and PMA was synergistic and was mediated through different promoter regions. The results suggest that stimulation by cAMP and PKC is mediated through novel cis elements. The regulation of bFGF protein content also involves posttranscriptional mechanisms since changes in the levels of individual bFGF isoforms were different depending on whether cells were treated with carbachol or angiotensin II, forskolin, or PMA. The present study indicates that bFGF is an intracrine cytoplasmic-nuclear factor, whose expression is regulated by trans-synaptic and hormonal stimuli and which may act as a direct mediator of genomic responses to afferent stimulation.

Basic fibroblast growth factor induces c-fos expression in primary cultures of rat striatum

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is present in the rat striatum in vivo, where evidence suggests it may have a long-term trophic role in supporting the survival of striatal neurones. To examine the possibility that these effects of bFGF might be mediated by induction of neuronal gene expression, we have investigated the ability of bFGF to stimulate expression of the immediate-early gene c-fos in primary cultures of embryonic rat striatum. The basal levels of c-fos mRNA were low in both neurones and glia in culture. Application of 500 pM bFGF resulted, within 45 min, in a 11-fold increase in the c-fos hybridisation signal in the non-neuronal cells. No significant induction of c-fos mRNA was detected in the striatal neurones at this time. The induction in non-neuronal cells was blocked by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (100 microM), but not by its inactive structural analogue genistin (100 microM). These results represent a novel mechanism whereby bFGF can exert prolonged effects on striatal function, and indicate that the increases in striatal c-fos gene expression induced by bFGF occur primarily in non-neuronal cells.