title: Differential effect of dexamethasone on interleukin 1beta- and cyclic AMP-triggered expression of GTP cyclohydrolase I in rat renal mesangial cells.
abstract: 1. Endogenous synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential requirement for cytokine-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in rat mesangial cells. GTP cyclohydrolase I, the rate-limiting enzyme in BH4 synthesis, is expressed in renal mesangial cells in response to two principal classes of activating signals. These two groups of activators comprise inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1beta and agents that elevate cellular levels of cyclic AMP. 2. We examined the action of the potent anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone on GTP cyclohydrolase I induction in response to IL-1beta and a membrane-permeable cyclic AMP analogue, N6, O-2'-dibutyryladenosine 3'-5'-phosphate (Bt2cyclic AMP). 3. Nanomolar concentrations of dexamethasone markedly attenuated IL-1beta-induced GTP cyclohydrolase I mRNA steady state level as well as IL-1beta-induced GTP cyclohydrolase I protein expression and enzyme activity. In contrast, dexamethasone did not inhibit Bt2cyclic AMP-triggered increase in GTP cyclohydrolase I mRNA level and protein expression, and low (1 nM) or high (1 and 10 microM) doses of dexamethasone consistently increased Bt2cyclic AMP-induced GTP cyclohydrolase activity. 4. In summary, these results suggest that glucocorticoids act at several levels, critically dependent on the stimulus used, to control GTP cyclohydrolase I expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Plüss
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wachter
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pfeilschifter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003994:Bucladesine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D006136:GTP Cyclohydrolase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003994:Bucladesine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D006136:GTP Cyclohydrolase