Differential placental hormone gene expression during pregnancy in a transgenic mouse containing the human growth hormone/chorionic somatomammotropin locus.

The human (h) growth hormone/chorionic somatomammotropin (GH/CS) gene locus presents a unique model to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms that have allowed a closely related family of genes to be expressed in two distinct cell lineages/tissues: pituitary somatotrophs and placental syncytiotrophoblasts. However, studies of external factors that regulate gene expression have been somewhat limited by (i) a lack of human cell lines expressing endogenous GH or CS appropriately; and (ii) the fact that the GH/CS locus is unique to primates and thus does not exist in rodents. In the current study, a transgenic (171 h GH/CS-TG) mouse was generated containing the intact hGH/CS gene cluster and hGH locus control region (LCR) in a 171-kilobase DNA fragment. Pituitary and placental-specific expression of hGH/CS RNA was detected at embryonic day (E) 18.5. Immunostaining of hGH was seen in somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary beginning in late gestation. The presence of hCS protein was detected in the placental labyrinth in trophoblasts functionally analogous to the syncytiotrophoblast of the chorionic villi. This pattern of gene expression is consistent with the presence of essential components of the hGH/CS LCR. Transcript levels for hCS-A, hCS-B and placental hGH-variant increased in 171 hGH/CS-TG placenta during gestation (E11.5-E18.5), as previously observed in human placental development. Throughout gestation, hCS-A RNA levels were proportionately higher, accounting for 91% of total CS RNA by E18.5, comparable to term human placenta. Finally, the previous correlation between the transcription factor AP-2alpha and hCS RNA expression observed in developing primary human cytotrophoblast cultures, was extended to pregnancy in the 171 hGH/CS-TG mouse. The 171 hGH/CS-TG mouse thus provides a model to investigate hGH/CS gene expression, including in pregnancy.

Transforming growth factor-beta as a differentiating factor for cultured smooth muscle cells.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether the development of supercontractile smooth muscle cells, contributing to the nonspecific hyperreactivity of airways in asthmatic patients, is due to transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. In cultured smooth muscle cells starved by removal of 10% foetal bovine serum for 7 days, growth arrest was seen; 30% became elongated and demonstrated super contractility. Study of conditioned medium suggested that the differentiating factor was TGF-beta. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was carried out on conditioned medium from the arrested cells. Two protein bands were identified as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and TGF-beta1. To determine second messenger signalling by SMAD2, Western blotting and confocal microscopy were employed. Conditioned medium from arrested cultures showed the presence of MMP-2 and TGF-beta1, as revealed by SDS-PAGE; 68- and 25-kDa bands were seen. Differentiation was confirmed by upregulation of marker proteins, smooth muscle type myosin heavy chain and myosin light chain kinase. Confirmation was obtained by downregulating these proteins with decorin treatment, which reduces the levels of active TGF-beta and an adenoviral dominant-negative vector coding for a mutated type II TGF-beta-receptor. Activation of second messenger signalling was demonstrated immunocytochemically by the presence of phosphorylated SMAD2 and SMAD4. Transforming growth factor-beta is likely to be the differentiating factor responsible for the development of these supercontractile smooth muscle cells. The development of such cells in vivo after cessation of an asthmatic attack could contribute to the nonspecific hyperreactivity of airways seen in patients.

Cell transplantation for treatment of acute myocardial infarction: unique capacity for repair by skeletal muscle satellite cells.

An adult heart injured by an ischemic episode has a limited capacity to regenerate. We administered three types of adult guinea pig cells [cardiomyocytes (CMs), cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), and skeletal myoblasts (Mbs)] to compare their suitability for repair of acute myocardial infarction. We used confocal fluorescent microscopy and a variety of specific immunomarkers and echocardiography to provide anatomic evidence for the viability of such cells and their possible functional beneficial effects. All cells were transfected with adenovirus-containing beta-galactosidase gene so that migration from the injection sites could be traced. Both freshly isolated CMs as well as CFs were found concentrated in the infarcted zone; these cells survived for at least 2 wk posttransplantation. Transplanted CMs were regularly striated and grew long projections that could form gap junctions with native CMs, which was evidenced by connexin43 labeling. In addition, CM transplantation resulted in increased angiogenesis in the infarcted areas. In contrast, transplanted CFs did not appear to make any gap junctional contacts with native CMs nor did they enhance local angiogenesis. Mbs cultured for 7 days and transfected Mbs were identified 7 days posttransplantation in the infarcted area. During that time and thereafter, Mbs proliferated and differentiated into myotubes that formed new, regularly striated myofibers that occupied most (50-70%) of the infarcted area by 2-3 wk. These newly formed myofibers maintained their Mb skeletal muscle origin as evidenced by their capacity to express myogenin and fast skeletal myosin. This skeletal phenotype appeared to downregulate with time, and Mbs partially transdifferentiated into a cardiac phenotype as indicated by labeling for cardiac-specific troponin T and cardiac myosin heavy chain. By the third week posttransplantation, new myofibers formed apparent contacts with the native CMs via putative gap junctions that expressed connexin43. Myocardial performance of animals that were successfully transplanted with Mbs was improved.

PKC-dependent phosphorylation may regulate the ability of connexin43 to inhibit DNA synthesis.

Phosphorylation affects several biological functions of connexin43 (Cx43), although its role on Cx43-mediated inhibition of DNA synthesis is not known. Previous studies showed increased Cx43 phosphorylation on serine in response to growth factor stimulation of cardiomyocytes, mediated by protein kinase C-epsilon (PKCepsilon). Here we report that activation of PKCepsilon is also necessary for stimulation of cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis and mitosis. We have investigated the participation of specific serine residues that are putative PKC targets in producing phosphorylated Cx43 species and also in regulating DNA synthesis in cardiomyocytes. Interference with the PKC signaling system and/or the phosphorylation of specific amino-acids of Cx43 may allow regulation of the mitogenic response.

Identification of sequence, protein isoforms, and distribution of the hyaluronan-binding protein RHAMM in adult and developing rat brain.

The protein RHAMM (for "receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility"; CD168) is a member of the hyaladherin family of hyaluronan-binding proteins. RHAMM has a role in cell signaling, migration, and adhesion via interactions with hyaluronan, microtubules, actin, calmodulin, and components of the extracellular regulated kinase (erk) signaling pathway. Based on previous findings of potentially similar roles in neural cells in culture, we investigated the molecular characteristics, protein expression profile, and distribution of RHAMM in rat brain. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using RNA isolated from adult rat brain yielded a single RHAMM sequence of 2.1 kilobases encoding a protein of 82.4 kDa. RHAMM is subject to alternate splicing in other systems, but no RT-PCR evidence was found for splice variants in brain, although our analysis does not rule out this possibility. The amino acid sequence displayed homology with human and murine RHAMM (74% and 80%, respectively) but contained only one copy of a 21-amino-acid sequence that is repeated five times in the murine homologue. By using anti-RHAMM antibodies, several RHAMM isoforms were identified in brain. Immunohistochemically, RHAMM was found in the vast majority of neurons and in many oligodendrocytes throughout brain, with heterogeneous levels among cell populations, and was confined to the somata and initial processes of these cells. RHAMM was detected in neurons of cerebral cortex and most subcortical and brainstem structures at postnatal day 1 and exhibited an adult distribution pattern by postnatal day 5. High levels were detected in oligodendrocytes by postnatal day 10. The widespread expression of RHAMM in adult and developing brain implies a role for this protein and its ligand hyaluronan in key events of cell signaling and cytoskeletal regulation in the CNS.

Sequence, protein expression and extracellular-regulated kinase association of the hyaladherin RHAMM (receptor for hyaluronan mediated motility) in PC12 cells.

Differentiation of PC12 cells by nerve growth factor (NGF) or fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) is dependent on signaling mediated by extracellular regulated kinase (ERK). We investigated the involvement of receptor for hyaluronan mediated motility (RHAMM) in this signaling pathway. A single RHAMM 3.2 kb transcript was detected in PC12 RNA. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction generated a 2141 bp cDNA that had identical sequence to rat brain RHAMM and showed no evidence of alternate splicing. Several RHAMM species were identified by Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry showed RHAMM localization to the cytoskeleton, neurites and growth cones. Following stimulation of PC12 cells with NGF or FGF2 RHAMM was co-immunoprecipitated by phosphorylation-specific anti-ERK antibodies, indicating a role for RHAMM in ERK signaling in PC12 cells.

Overexpression of FGF-2 increases cardiac myocyte viability after injury in isolated mouse hearts.

We generated transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 protein (22- to 34-fold) in the heart. Chronic FGF-2 overexpression revealed no significant effect on heart weight-to-body weight ratio or expression of cardiac differentiation markers. There was, however, a significant 20% increase in capillary density. Although there was no change in FGF receptor-1 expression, relative levels of phosphorylated c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase and p38 kinase as well as of membrane-associated protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha and total PKC-epsilon were increased in FGF-2-TG mouse hearts. An isolated mouse heart model of ischemia-reperfusion injury was used to assess the potential of increased endogenous FGF-2 for cardioprotection. A significant 34-45% increase in myocyte viability, reflected in a decrease in lactate dehydrogenase released into the perfusate, was observed in FGF-2 overexpressing mice and non-TG mice treated exogenously with FGF-2. In conclusion, FGF-2 overexpression causes augmentation of signal transduction pathways and increased resistance to ischemic injury. Thus, stimulation of endogenous FGF-2 expression offers a potential mechanism to enhance cardioprotection.

A member of the nuclear factor-1 family is involved in the pituitary repression of the human placental growth hormone genes.

The human growth hormone (GH) gene family consists of five tandemly arranged and highly related genes, including the chorionic somatomammotropins (CSs), at a single locus on chromosome 17. Despite striking homologies in promoter and flanking DNA sequences, the genes within this locus have different tissue-specific patterns of expression: GH-N is expressed almost exclusively in the somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary; the remaining genes, including CS-A, are expressed in placental syncytiotrophoblast. Previously we proposed that active repression of the placental gene promoters in pituitary GC cells is mediated by upstream 'P' sequences and, specifically, a 263 bp region containing two 'P' sequence elements (PSE-A and PSE-B) and corresponding factors (PSF-A and PSF-B). We have now examined the possibility that PSF-A and PSF-B are members of the nuclear factor (NF)-1 family. Transcripts of NF-1A, NF-1C and NF-1X, but not of NF-1B, were readily detected in GC cells. High-affinity binding of NF-1 to PSE-B, but not to PSE-A, was confirmed by competition of DNA-protein interactions by using NF-1 DNA elements and antibodies. Functionally, a NF-1 element was able to substitute for PSE-B as a promoter-specific repressor in GC cells after gene transfer. However, there was a difference in the magnitude of repression exerted by the NF-1 and PSF-B elements on the CS-A promoter and, with the use of mutations, this difference was shown to be consistent with variations in NF-1-binding sequences. These results indicate that PSF-B, but not PSF-A, is a member of the NF-1 family, which participates in the PSF complex and in the repression of the CS-A promoter in pituitary GC cells.

CUG-initiated FGF-2 induces chromatin compaction in cultured cardiac myocytes and in vitro.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is a mitogen found in CUG-initiated 21-25 kDa ("hi") or AUG-initiated 16-18 kDa ("lo") forms. Previously we demonstrated that "hi"-but not "lo"-FGF-2 caused a distinct nuclear phenotype characterized by apparently condensed chromatin present as separate clumps in the nucleus of cardiac myocytes. In this manuscript we investigated whether these effects were related to apoptosis or mitosis and whether they reflected a direct effect of "hi" FGF-2 on chromatin. Myocytes overexpressing "hi" FGF-2 and presenting the clumped chromatin phenotype: (i) were not labeled above background with antibodies to phosphorylated histones H1 and H3 used as indicators of mitotic chromatin condensation; (ii) did not stain positive for TUNEL; (iii) their nuclear lamina, visualized by anti-laminB immunofluorescence, appeared intact; (iv) neither caspase inhibitors, nor Bcl-2 or "lo" FGF-2 overexpression prevented the manifestation of the compacted nuclear phenotype. Purified recombinant "hi" FGF-2 was more potent than "lo" FGF-2 in promoting the condensation/aggregation of chick erythrocyte chromatin partially reconstituted with histone H1 in vitro. We conclude that the DNA phenotype induced by "hi" FGF-2 in cardiac myocytes likely reflects a direct effect on chromatin structure that does not require the engagement of mitosis or apoptosis. By affecting chromatin compaction "hi" FGF-2 may contribute to the regulation of gene expression.

Protein kinase C-epsilon mediates phorbol ester-induced phosphorylation of connexin-43.

We have used adenoviral vectors to express dominant negative variants of protein kinase C epsilon (PKCepsilon) or mitogen kinase kinase 1 (MKK1) to investigate their involvement in phorbol ester-induced connexin-43 (Cx43) phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes. Stimulation of cardiomyocytes with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) increased the fraction of the slower migrating (> or = 45 kDa) and more extensively phosphorylated Cx43 species. Expression of dominant negative MKK1 did not prevent the effect of PMA on Cx43 phosphorylation. Selective inhibition of PKCE significantly decreased baseline levels of Cx43 phosphorylation and the PMA-induced accumulation of > or = 45 kDa Cx43. Thus, production of the more extensively phosphorylated species of Cx43 in cardiomyocytes by PMA requires activation of PKCepsilon.

Role for early growth response-1 protein in alpha(1)-adrenergic stimulation of fibroblast growth factor-2 promoter activity in cardiac myocytes.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), a mitogenic, angiogenic, and cardioprotective agent, is released from the postnatal heart by a mechanism of transient remodelling of the sarcolemma during contraction. Both release of FGF-2 and its synthesis can be increased with adrenergic stimulation. We reported previously that FGF-2 synthesis can be regulated at the transcriptional level by alpha-adrenergic stimulation of cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes as well as in the adult mouse heart. Examination of the proximal promoter region of both human and rat FGF-2 gene sequences revealed binding sites for the early growth response-1 (Egr-1) protein. Using gel mobility shift assays, we observed a transient increase in a complex between nuclear extracts from neonatal rat cardiac myocytes treated with inducers of Egr-1, including the alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine, angiotensin II, and phorbol ester, and a consensus Egr-1 DNA element. A similar complex was seen with the FGF-2 promoter region -7/+42 as the DNA probe, but not when the Egr-1 element at nucleotides +3/+31 was disrupted. Participation of Egr-1 protein in the complex was confirmed by competition with Egr-1 DNA elements and antibodies. With deletion analysis and transfection of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes, the alpha-adrenergic response was localized to nucleotides -110/+42 of the FGF-2 gene in the context of a hybrid FGF-2/luciferase reporter gene, -110FGFp.luc. Overexpression of Egr-1 increased -110FGFp.luc gene expression, whereas mutation of its Egr-1 element at nucleotides +3/+31 abolished alpha-adrenergic responsiveness. These data indicate that Egr-1 is involved in the alpha-adrenergic stimulation of the FGF-2 promoter region in neonatal cardiac myocytes.

Overexpression of long or short FGFR-1 results in FGF-2-mediated proliferation in neonatal cardiac myocyte cultures.

OBJECTIVE: The type 1 fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR-1) is the only high affinity receptor for fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in the rat myocardium, and is essential for normal growth and development of the heart. Levels of FGFR-1 are developmentally regulated, being high in embryonic cardiac myocytes. Also, FGFR-1 exists as both 'long' and 'short' isoforms, and there is a switch from predominant expression of the 'long' isoform in the embryo to the 'short' isoform in the adult heart. Both the decrease in receptor levels and the isoform switch in postnatal cardiac myocytes correlate with a loss of proliferative potential. We investigated whether an increase in either 'long' or 'short' FGFR-1 isoforms could stimulate proliferation in postnatal rat cardiac myocyte cultures. METHODS AND RESULTS: Previously we cloned cDNAs corresponding to 'long' (L) and 'short' (S) FGFR-1 isoforms from embryonic mouse hearts. Hybrid FGFR-1(L) and (S) genes, directed by a myosin light chain-2 promoter and SV40 enhancer sequences, were generated and used to transiently transfect neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. Overexpression of FGFR-1 mRNA and protein was detected by RNA blotting and immunocytochemistry. Ligand-crosslinking confirmed the presence of specific receptors capable of binding FGF-2 on the cell membrane. Overexpression of either FGFR-1(L) or (S) was associated with stimulation of proliferation as assessed by significant increases in bromodeoxyuridine uptake (DNA synthesis) and cell number. To determine whether this response was FGF-2 specific, the level of FGF-2 was assessed in the culture medium of cardiac myocytes overexpressing FGFR-1 isoforms. A three-fold increase was detected in the media of cardiac myocytes overexpressing either FGFR-1(L) or (S) compared to control levels. Neutralization of this FGF-2 with antibodies inhibited the proliferative response. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of either FGFR-1(L) or (S) resulted in an increase in FGF-2-mediated proliferation of postnatal rat cardiac myocytes.

A role for A/T-rich sequences and Pit-1/GHF-1 in a distal enhancer located in the human growth hormone locus control region with preferential pituitary activity in culture and transgenic mice.

A region located remotely upstream of the human pituitary GH (GH-N) gene and required for efficient GH-N gene expression in the pituitary of transgenic mice was cloned as a 1.6-kb Bg/II (1.6G) fragment. The 1.6G fragment in the forward or reverse orientation increased -496GH-N promoter activity significantly in pituitary GC and GH3 cells after gene transfer. The 1.6G fragment was also able to stimulate activity from a minimal thymidine kinase (TK) promoter which, unlike -496GH-N, lacked any Pit-1/GHF-1 element. Enhancer activity was localized by deletion analysis to a 203-bp region in the 3'-end of the 1.6G fragment and was characterized by the presence of a diffuse 136-bp nuclease-protected site, observed with pituitary (GC) but not nonpituitary (HeLa) cell nuclear protein. A major low-mobility complex was observed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) with GC cell nuclear protein, and the pattern was distinct from that seen with a HeLa cell extract. The nuclease-protected region contains three A/T-rich Pit-1/ GHF-1-like elements, and their disruption, in the context of the 203-bp region fused to the TK promoter, reduced enhancer activity significantly in pituitary cells in culture. A mutation in this region was also shown to decrease enhancer activity in transgenic mice and correlated with a decrease in the 203-bp enhancer region complex observed by EMSA. The participation of Pit-1/GHF-1 in this complex is indicated by competition studies with Pit-1/GHF-1 elements and antibodies, and direct binding of Pit-1/GHF-1 to the A/T-rich sequences was shown by EMSA using recombinant protein. These studies link the A/T-rich sequences to the distal enhancer activity associated with the GH locus control region in vitro and in vivo.

Evidence for evolutionary conservation of a physical linkage between the human BAF60b, a subunit of SWI/SNF complex, and thyroid hormone receptor interacting protein-1 genes on chromosome 17.

The ubiquitously expressed rat BAF60b gene, which codes for a subunit of the multiprotein SWI/SNF complex, was recently identified between the pituitary growth hormone (GH-N) and thyroid hormone receptor interacting protein-1 (TRIP-1) genes. In primates, duplication of the GH-N gene has resulted in the addition of four placenta-specific (GH-V, CS-A, CS-B, and CS-L) genes downstream of the GH-N gene. As part of our study of the effect of remote sequences on the transcriptional regulation of the GH/CS gene family, we showed recently that these genes lie 40 kb upstream of the human TRIP-1 gene. We have now investigated the presence of the human BAF60b gene upstream of the TRIP-1 gene for evidence of evolutionary conservation of this arrangement or its disruption by the recent duplication of the nearby GH-N gene in primates. We report that, as in the rat genome, the human BAF60b gene is in the reverse transcriptional direction relative to the TRIP-1 gene, such that their polyadenylation sites are separated by 93 bp which compares with 92 bp in the rat. Reexamination of reported porcine TRIP-1 sequences also revealed the presence of the BAF60b gene separated by 93 bp, supporting an evolutionary conservation of this arrangement.

alpha1-Adrenergic stimulation of FGF-2 promoter in cardiac myocytes and in adult transgenic mouse hearts.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), a mitogenic, angiogenic, and cardioprotective agent, is reported to be released from the postnatal heart by a mechanism of transient remodeling of the sarcolemma during contraction. This release can be increased with adrenergic stimulation. RNA blotting was used to assess whether FGF-2 synthesis in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes might also be regulated by adrenergic stimulation. FGF-2 RNA levels were increased after treatment with norepinephrine for 6 h or with the alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine for 48 h. To assess an effect on transcription, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were transfected with a hybrid rat FGF-2 promoter/luciferase gene (-1058FGFp.luc) and treated with norepinephrine or phenylephrine for 6 or 48 h, respectively. FGF-2 promoter activity was increased two- to sevenfold in an alpha1-specific manner. Putative phenylephrine-responsive elements (PEREs) were identified at positions -780 and -761 relative to a major transcription initiation site. However, deletion analysis of -1058FGFp.luc showed that the phenylephrine response was independent of the putative PEREs, cell contraction, and Ca2+ influx. In transgenic mice expressing -1058FGFp.luc, a significant three- to sevenfold stimulation of FGF-2 promoter activity was detected in the hearts of two independent lines 6 h after intraperitoneal administration of phenylephrine (50 mg/kg). This increase was still apparent at 24 h but was not detected at 48 h posttreatment. Analysis of FGF-2 mRNA in normal mouse hearts revealed accumulation of the 6.1-kb transcript at 24 h. Control of local FGF-2 synthesis at the transcriptional level through adrenergic stimulation may be important in the response to injury as well as in the maintenance of a healthy myocardium.

Detection of placental growth hormone variant and chorionic somatomammotropin-L RNA expression in normal and diabetic pregnancy by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Diabetes is a common complication encountered during pregnancy. Earlier studies indicated that diabetic placentas bear morphological alterations consistent with modified placental differentiation, including alterations in the villous cellular content, structure, and total surface. Limited data associating the diabetic status with the expression of terminal placental differentiation markers are available. The human growth hormone/chorionic somatomammotropin (hGH/CS) family consists of five genes, one of which (GH-N) is expressed efficiently in pituitary while the other four (CS-A, B, L, and hGH-V) are expressed in placenta and represent ultimate placental differentiation markers. We developed and applied a sensitive RT-PCR method coupled with diagnostic restriction digestion to determine the relative levels of the hGH/CS family in normal pregnancies and examine whether their mRNA expression pattern is altered in pregnancies complicated by diabetes. We show that relative hCS-L content changes during placental development. Specifically, normal term placentas express higher relative levels of hCS-L, lower relative hGH-V levels and a 70-fold lower hGH-V/CS-L mRNA ratio compared to early placentas. Also, many term placentas from diabetic pregnancies express lower relative levels of hCS-L mRNA and a much higher hGH-V/CS-L mRNA ratio compared to normal term placenta, resembling more an early placenta pattern of expression. Thus, our study suggests that the expression of terminal placental differentiation markers, such as the hGH/CS genes, is altered in term placentas from these diabetics reflecting either impaired placental differentiation or post-differentiation impairment of normal placental function.

An A/G-rich motif in the rat fibroblast growth factor-2 gene confers enhancer activity on a heterologous promoter in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

We have cloned the rat fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) promoter region including 1058 base pairs (bp) of 5'-flanking DNA. Complete sequencing of this promoter region revealed a 74 bp domain between nucleotides-793 and-720 that was greater than 97% A/G-rich. A repeat of the sequence 5'-AGGGAGGG-3' separated by 11 bp was located at the core of this domain. A 37 bp A/G-rich oligonucleotide containing these AGGG-repeat sequences was synthesised, and tested for function on a minimal herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK) promoter, fused to the firefly luciferase gene (TKp.luc), in transiently transfected neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. Promoter activity was stimulated approximately 3 fold in the presence of AGGG-repeat sequences. This effect was neither tissue or species-specific since TK promoter activity was increased approximately 11 fold in both rat and human glial tumor cells. Four specific complexes (Cl-4) were detected between neonatal rat heart nuclear proteins and the 37 bp A/G-rich oligonucleotide by gel mobility shift assay. Competition with excess unlabelled 37 bp A/G-rich oligonucleotide revealed that two complexes represented very high affinity/specificity interactions (C2 > C4) while Cl and C3 were of lower affinity. As a result, competition with up to a 25 fold molar excess of 37 bp A/G-rich oligonucleotide led to the loss of C2 and C4, and a corresponding and transient increase in the levels of Cl and C3, which themselves were reduced with more competitor oligonucleotide. The AGGG-repeat resembles the 5'-gGGGAGGG-3' sequence previously implicated in the response of the atrial natriuretic factor promoter to the alpha-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine. Although an additional 1.5 fold increase in TK promoter activity was detected in the presence of the 37 bp A/G-rich oligonucleotide with phenylephrine treatment of transfected myocytes, this effect was not statistically significant. Furthermore, there was no difference in the gel mobility shift (Cl-4) pattern obtained with the 37 bp A/G-rich oligonucleotide and nuclear protein isolated from neonatal rat cardiac myocytes grown in the presence or absence of norepinephrine. These data suggest that the A/G rich sequences in the rat FGF-2 gene 5'-flanking DNA, including the AGGG-repeat, are able to confer stimulatory activity on a promoter in a tissue- and species-independent manner, but alone are not able to induce a significant phenylephrine response in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

Physical linkage of the human growth hormone gene family and the thyroid hormone receptor interacting protein-1 gene on chromosome 17.

A P1 cloned insert of about 85.5 kilobases (kb) was isolated, containing four members of the human growth hormone/chorionic somatomammotropin (GH/CS) gene family and the thyroid hormone receptor interacting protein (TRIP-1) gene. The presence of the CS-like, CS-A, GH-variant and, most downstream, CS-B gene was confirmed by DNA blotting and sequence analysis. The TRIP-1 gene was detected 40 kb downstream of the CS-B gene and in the reverse transcriptional orientation to all the GH/CS genes. The TRIP-1 gene is highly homologous to the SUG-1 gene in yeast and is evolutionarily conserved among several species. Based on the common location of the GH and TRIP-1 (or homologue) genes on the same chromosome in the human, pig and rat genomes, we suggest that these loci are physically linked. Previously, it was reported that a muscle-specific sodium channel (SCN4A) gene is located immediately upstream of the pituitary growth hormone (GH-N) gene, and is linked to the GH gene locus in both humans and rats. This suggests a further linkage between the SCN4A, GH and TRIP-1 loci. Also, deoxyribonuclease hypersensitive sites have been reported in and around these loci and were associated with an important locus control region for the GH/CS genes. Unlike the GH/CS genes, we show, using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction that the TRIP-1 gene is expressed ubiquitously and, through RNA blotting, as a 1.4-kb transcript. This implies an open and active chromatin structure. The possible effect of this structure on the adjacent human GH/CS gene locus is discussed.

Detection of 28S RNA with the FGF-2 cDNA at high stringency through related G/C-rich sequences.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) or basic FGF is a multifunctional protein that, through interaction with specific cell surface receptors, plays important roles in the growth and development of tissues and organs. Thus, considerable attention has focused on the control of FGF-2 gene expression, including assessments of RNA levels through blotting and the use of radiolabeled FGF-2 cDNA probes. Multiple transcripts of different sizes have been reported for FGF-2 by this approach, however, more recent evidence indicates that at least one of these RNAs of about 1.5 kb, is not an authentic FGF-2 transcript. A major band of 4.7 kb and a minor band of 6.1 kb were detected in total rat glial tumor cell RNA, using the 'intact' rat ovarian FGF-2 cDNA as a probe at high stringency. This cDNA contains both coding and 5'-untranslated sequences. Although the 6.1 kb transcript levels were increased in RNA enriched for polyadenylated species, the levels of the 4.7 kb band were decreased and also shared a mobility with 28S RNA. A truncated FGF-2 cDNA probe, containing coding but not 5'-untranslated sequences, detected the 6.1 kb transcript but failed to see the 4.7 kb band. The domain responsible for detecting the 4.7 kb band was localized to a G/C-rich region containing 5'-untranslated sequences, by using different fragments of the rat FGF-2 gene, including coding and upstream flanking DNA, as probes. The degree of similarity between sequences of this G/C-rich region of the FGF-2 gene and 28S RNA from rat, human and mouse was sufficient to predict strong cross hybridization. This was confirmed by the detection of a 4.7 kb band in mouse heart RNA with the 'intact' but not truncated rat FGF-2 cDNA probes; a 6.1 kb mouse FGF-2 transcript was detected with both probes. These data indicate that the 4.7 kb RNA detected is not a bona fide FGF-2 transcript, and most likely represents cross hybridization with abundant 28S RNA through G/C-rich non-coding sequences present in the 'intact' rat FGF-2 cDNA. However, sequence comparisons suggest that this result may be the case for other species and might not be restricted to the rat FGF-2 cDNA.

Expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 in rat heart H9c2 myoblasts increases cell proliferation.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) plays an important role in myocardial growth and development and in particular cardiac myocyte proliferation. FGF-2 exerts its effects by binding to cell surface receptors (FGFR-1) of the tyrosine kinase family. We have detected the presence of both long and short isoforms of FGFR-1 in embryonic and adult mouse heart. In this report, we have examined the ability of long and short FGFR-1 isoforms to signal a mitogenic response. Assessment of RNA from rat myoblast H9c2 cells by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and RNA blotting revealed that they were deficient in transcripts corresponding to long and short FGFR-1 species. Hybrid genes containing the cDNAs coding for long and short FGFR-1 isoforms directed by the myosin light chain-2 promoter and simian virus 40 enhancer sequences, were used to transiently transfect H9c2 cells. Total tyrosine phosphorylation was increased 2.0 and 2.6 fold in H9c2 cells transfected with the long and short FGFR-1 isoforms, respectively, compared to 'control' transfected H9c2 cells. This was accompanied by a 2.1 and 2.0 fold increase in DNA synthesis, as measured by tritiated thymidine incorporation, in H9c2 cells expressing the long and short FGFR-1 isoforms, respectively. To assess effects on proliferation, H9c2 cells were stably transfected with the myosin light chain-2/FGFR-1 cDNA genes. The rate of proliferation was increased 1.6 and 3.1 fold in H9c2 cells stably expressing the long and short FGFR-1 isoforms, respectively, compared to 'control' H9c2 cells. In contrast to non transfected H9c2 cells, treatment of H9c2 cells stably expressing long FGFR-1 with FGF-2 for 24 h resulted in a slight increase (1.3 fold, p < 0.02) in cell number. However, a greater response (1.5 fold, p < 0.0005) was observed with H9c2 cells stably expressing short FGFR-1 after treatment with FGF-2. These results suggest that both long and short FGFR-1 isoforms are capable of signalling a mitogenic response.