Nitric oxide inhibits growth of glomerular mesangial cells: role of the transcription factor EGR-1.
Nitric oxide inhibits growth of glomerular mesangial cells: Role of the transcription factor Egr-1.


BACKGROUND
In previous studies, we found a close link of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) expression to mesangial cell (MC) proliferation. Antiproliferative agents inhibited mitogen-induced Egr-1 expression. Here we investigated the effect of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) on the proliferation of MCs, specifically asking how GSNO regulates the transcription factor Egr-1, which we have previously shown to be critical for the induction of MC mitogenesis.


METHODS
The proliferation of MCs was measured by thymidine incorporation and cell counting. Egr-1 mRNA and protein levels were detected by Northern and Western blots. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assays were performed to test whether GSNO modulates DNA binding and transcriptional activation of Egr-1.


RESULTS
GSNO strongly inhibited serum-induced MC proliferation (-84% at 1 mmol/L). A mild inhibition of serum-induced Egr-1 mRNA was observed at GSNO concentrations from 50 to 200 micromol/L, whereas mRNA levels increased again at concentrations above 500 micromol/L. This increased mRNA expression, however, was not translated into Egr-1 protein. Instead, Egr-1 protein induction was inhibited (-40%). EMSAs indicated that GSNO inhibited specific binding of Egr-1 to its DNA consensus sequence. Moreover, transcriptional activation by Egr-1 in CAT assays using a reporter plasmid bearing three Egr-1 binding sites was strongly suppressed by GSNO.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data identify GSNO as a potent inhibitor of MC growth with potential beneficial effects in proliferative glomerular diseases. This antimitogenic property is mediated at least in part by inhibitory effects of GSNO on Egr-1 protein levels and by reducing the ability of Egr-1 to activate transcription by impairing its DNA binding activity.
Rupprecht
H D
HD
Medizinische Klinik IV, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
Akagi
Y
Y
Keil
A
A
Hofer
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009603:Nitroso Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D026422:S-Nitrosoglutathione; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1; C486110:Egr1 protein, rat; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D009603:Nitroso Compounds; D014157:Transcription Factors; C016276:8-bromocyclic GMP; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D026422:S-Nitrosoglutathione; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase; D005978:Glutathione; D006152:Cyclic GMP