title: Induction of tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression by a nonneuronal nonpituitary-mediated mechanism in immobilization stress.
abstract: Stress stimulates the sympathoadrenal system, causing activation of the catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes. Here we examine the changes of gene expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; EC 1.14.16.2), the initial enzyme of catecholamine biosynthesis, with stress. A single immobilization of rats led to a large transient elevation in TH mRNA and a small elevation in TH immunoreactive protein and activity. Repeated daily immobilizations triggered more sustained changes in TH mRNA levels. After two immobilizations, the levels remained elevated even 3 days later. The rise in TH mRNA was followed by increased immunoreactive protein but only a small elevation in activity. With seven repeated immobilizations, the animals did not appear to adapt and still manifested a further rise in TH mRNA. TH activity was markedly elevated and returned to control levels 7 days after the immobilization. The rise in TH mRNA with a single immobilization occurred even in adrenals of hypophysectomized rats that underwent splanchnic nerve section. Immobilization for 30 min was sufficient to increase TH mRNA. The effect was abolished by the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D. Mobility gel-shift assays revealed increased binding of c-Fos and c-Jun to the AP-1 transcription factor site after a single immobilization, and the binding was not further elevated with repeated stress. This study shows that a single immobilization can activate TH gene expression by a nonneuronal nonpituitary-mediated pathway associated with increased binding of AP-1 transcription factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, Valhalla 10595.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nankova
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kvetnanský
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Viskupic
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hiremagalur
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frankle
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukuhara
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Kopin
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Sabban
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000201:enzymology*; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase