title: Transforming growth factor-beta receptor requirements for the induction of the endothelin-1 gene.
abstract: Expression of the endothelin (ET)-1 gene is subject to complex regulation by numerous factors, among which the cytokine transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is one of the most important. TGF-beta action is based on the activation of the Smad signaling pathway. Smad proteins activate transcription of the gene by cooperation with activator protein-1 (AP-1) at specific sites on the ET-1 promoter. Smad signaling pathway is initiated by binding of the cytokine to a heteromeric complex of type I and type II receptors. Signal is then propagated to the nucleus by specific members of the Smad family. Most cell types contain a type I receptor known as ALK5. However, endothelial cells are unique because they coexpress an additional type I receptor named ALK1. These forms do not constitute redundant receptors with the same function, but they actually activate different Smad-mediated expression programs that lead to specific endothelial phenotypes. TGF-beta/ALK5/Smad3 pathway is associated to a mature endothelium because it leads to inhibition of cell migration/proliferation. Conversely, TGF-beta/ALK1/Smad5 activates both processes and is more related to the angiogenic state. We have analyzed the TGF-beta receptor subtype requirements for the activation of the ET-1 gene. For that purpose, we have overexpressed type I receptor and Smad isoforms in endothelial cells and analyzed the effect on ET-1 expression. Our experiments indicate that TGF-beta induces ET-1 expression preferentially through the activation of the ALK5/Smad3 pathway and, therefore, the expression of the vaso-constrictor may be associated to a quiescent and mature endothelial phenotype.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Estructura y Función de Proteínas, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, C.S.I.C., Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigaciones Nefrológicas, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, E-28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castañares
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Redondo-Horcajo
authors.forename: Noemi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Magan-Marchal
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lamas
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Pascual
mesh_terms: D030201:Activin Receptors, Type I / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D008156:Luciferases / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D000077293:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051900:Smad3 Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051900:Smad3 Protein; D008156:Luciferases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D030201:Activin Receptors, Type I; D000077293:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I