title: Transforming growth factor-beta modulation of the alpha 1(IV) collagen gene in murine proximal tubular cells.
abstract: We have examined the expression of the alpha 1(IV) collagen gene in murine proximal tubular cells (MCT) to better understand how it is regulated in parenchymal cells. Transcriptional activity was examined using luciferase reporters driven by the alpha 1(IV) promoter and varying lengths of 5'-flanking sequences. The minimal bidirectional promoter showed low intrinsic activity in MCT cells, but addition of upstream sequences increased luciferase expression. Maximal activity resided within the first 1,200 bp upstream. A minigene construct was generated by placing a portion of the alpha 1(IV) first intron downstream from the promoter region. The intronic sequences significantly decreased activity of the promoter in MCT cells and 3T3 fibroblasts but greatly enhanced expression in murine parietal yolk sac (PYS) endodermal cells. Addition of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) to MCT cultures elevated the levels of secreted type IV collagen. Treatment of either transiently or stably transfected MCT cells with TGF-beta produced an increase in the levels of expression of all of the reporters tested. These data support the hypothesis that cell-specific regulation of alpha 1(IV) collagen is dependent upon downstream sequences, which act to decrease the expression of type IV collagen in tubular epithelium. The activity of the alpha 1(IV) collagen gene in proximal tubular cells is increased by TGF-beta, which acts on the domain(s) embedded within the intergenic bidirectional promoter.
authors: Penn Center for Molecular Studies of Kidney Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6144, USA.
authors: G S
authors: GS
authors: Kuncio
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Alvarez
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Li
authors: P D
authors: PD
authors: Killen
authors: E G
authors: EG
authors: Neilson
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D005796:Genes / Q000187:drug effects*; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015017:Yolk Sac / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D003094:Collagen; D008156:Luciferases