ABSTRACT
We cloned MafG-2, a novel splice variant of MafG, from rat brain by RT-PCR method. MafG-2 differs from the previously published MafG by an insertion of 27 amino acids. Sequence analysis of the cDNA-encoded MafG-2 showed that MafG-2 contains basic domain and basic leucine zipper (bZip) motif. Transient transfection studies with GFP-MafG-2 chimera protein indicate that MafG-2 is localized in the nuclei of transfected COS-7 cells. To determine whether gene expression of mafG-2 mRNA is induced by an increase in extracellular protons, we analyzed expression of the mRNA in PC12 cells after an increase in extracellular proton concentration. We found that the mafG-2 mRNA expression increased when extracellular pH was decreased gradually from 7.40 to 7.20 and that there was a significant correlation between extracellular pH value and the expression of mafG-2 mRNA. These results suggest that an increase in extracellular proton may induce the expression of mafG-2 mRNA and MafG-2 may be involved in signal transduction of extracellular of H(+).
Subject(s)
DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Protons , Repressor Proteins/genetics , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcriptional Activation , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , COS Cells , Cloning, Molecular , DNA-Binding Proteins/biosynthesis , Extracellular Space/physiology , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , MafG Transcription Factor , Mice , Molecular Sequence Data , Nuclear Proteins/biosynthesis , PC12 Cells , Phylogeny , RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis , Rats , Repressor Proteins/biosynthesis , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Transcription Factors/biosynthesisABSTRACT
Apelin is an endogenous ligand of the human orphan receptor APJ. We detected apelin-like immunoreactivity in the adipocytes, gastric mucosa, and Kupffer cells in the liver. We also detected apelin-like immunoreactivity localized within the endothelia of small arteries in various organs. Further, it was found that mean arterial pressure after the administration of apelin-12, apelin-13, and apelin-36 at a dose of 10 nmol/kg in anaesthetized rats was reduced by 26+/-5, 11+/-4, and 5+/-4 mm Hg, respectively. In the presence of a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, the effect of apelin-12 on blood pressure was abolished. Furthermore, the administration of apelin-12 (10 nmol/kg) in rats produced a transitory elevation of the plasma nitrite/nitrate concentration from a basal level of 21.4+/-1.6 to 27.0+/-1.5 microM. Thus, apelin may lower blood pressure via a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism.