Dexamethasone induces gelsolin synthesis and altered morphology in L929 cells.
When L929 cells are exposed to 5 mug/ml dexamethasone, synthesis of a 90,000 M(r) polypeptide is induced within 12 h. Flattening of the cells begins at about this time and progresses to become quite prominent after 48 h of exposure. Two-dimensional PAGE and partial proteolytic fingerprints identify the 90,000 M(r) polypeptide as gelsolin, a Ca(++)-dependent inhibitor of actin polymerization. Thus, this system provides evidence that gelsolin may have a role in regulating cell shape in response to physiological agents such as glucocorticoids.
D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018260:Gelsolin; D007526:Isoelectric Point; D007739:L Cells; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D018260:Gelsolin; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D003907:Dexamethasone