title: Retinoic acid induces expression of the transcription factor GHF-1/Pit-1 in pituitary prolactin- and growth hormone-producing cell lines.
abstract: PRL and GH gene expression depend on the presence of the pituitary-specific transcription factor GHF-1/Pit-1. We have examined the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on the expression of the GHF-1/Pit-1 gene. RA induced a time- and dose-dependent increase in GHF-1/Pit-1 messenger RNA in the PRL-producing cell line 235-1. A maximal effect (a 2- to 3-fold increase) was obtained after 12-24 h of incubation with 1 microM RA. The level of the transcription factor determined by both Western blotting and gel retardation analysis with a GHF-1/Pit-1-binding site was increased in RA-treated cells compared to that in control cells. Sequences located between -400 and -90 bp mediated a 2- to 3-fold activation of the GHF-1/Pit-1 promoter by RA. The retinoid also increased the response to cAMP and phorbol esters that is mediated by two cAMP-responsive elements (CREs) located in the same promoter fragment. Both CREs are required for RA induction, as deletion of either CRE abolished the response to the retinoid RA also induced GHF-1/Pit-1 gene expression in GH4C1 cells, which produce both PRL and GH. T3 did not affect expression of the GHF-1/Pit-1 gene in 235-1 cells, but decreased basal GHF-1/Pit-1 messenger RNA and promoter activity in GH4C1 cells and blocked the stimulatory effect of RA.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Pacheco
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Palomino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aranda
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D050817:Transcription Factor Pit-1; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050817:Transcription Factor Pit-1; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D014212:Tretinoin; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone