title: Glucocorticoid-induced stimulation of ribosomal gene transcription in rat hepatoma cells is mediated by modification of RNA polymerase I or an associated factor.
abstract: An in vitro transcription system was developed from H411EC3 (H4) hepatoma cells, which mimics the in vivo up-regulation by glucocorticoid hormones on ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis. Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription in extracts derived from H4 cells grown in the presence of 100 nM triamcinolone acetonide was 4- to 5-fold greater than that in extracts derived from cells grown in the absence of glucocorticoid. This effect was not a general stimulation by the steroid, as RNA polymerase II transcription of the metallothionein-1 gene which lacked a glucocorticoid responsive element was unaffected. The increased transcription in hormone-treated extracts was also independent of differential ribonuclease activities or inhibitors as ascertained by the inclusion of ribonuclease inhibitor and mixing experiments, respectively. Chromatography of H4 cell extracts on heparin-sepharose followed by transcription complementation analysis, showed that the hormone-induced stimulatory activity eluted with the fraction (TFIA) which contains RNA polymerase I (Pol I). Immunoblot analysis with specific anti-Pol I antibody showed similar subunit profiles in the absence and presence of the hormone. The presence of a Pol I enhancer element in addition to the rDNA promoter did not further modify the glucocorticoid-induced transcription. These results indicate that the glucocorticoid-mediated effects could be observed in cell extracts which accurately initiate transcription of cloned rat rDNA. Moreover, the alterations of rDNA transcription by the hormone is effected by a factor which elutes with fraction TFIA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey 17033.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Mealey-Cavender
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Jacob
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002474:Cell-Free System; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012318:RNA Polymerase I / Q000378:metabolism*; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012318:RNA Polymerase I; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide