title: Semiquantitative PCR of alpha2 and alpha4 integrin mRNA shows differential response to the transcriptional modulators TGF-beta1 and TPA.
abstract: The differential expression of VLA integrins in different cell types under different conditions has been mainly studied at the protein level. Since these cell surface proteins have a rather slow turn-over, quantitative changes in their transcription may go unnoticed. The expression of alpha2 and alpha4 mRNA was studied by relative quantitative RT-PCR on Molt-4 (human T-cell lymphoma) and A875 (human melanoma) cells. Modulation of the expression was investigated by treatment with TGF-beta1 and TPA. Stimulation with TGF-beta1 increased the expression of alpha4 in Molt-4 cells and of alpha2 in A875 cells. Treatment with TPA did not alter the expression of alpha4 mRNA on Molt-4 cells but significantly increased their alpha2 expression. Thus, integrin expression can be modulated differentially and this modulation can be reinforced by transcriptional activators.
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vekemans
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cassiman
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D039421:Integrin alpha2; D039441:Integrin alpha4; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D039421:Integrin alpha2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D039441:Integrin alpha4; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate