title: Angiotensin II induction of PDGF-C expression is mediated by AT1 receptor-dependent Egr-1 transactivation.
abstract: Platelet-derived growth factors are a family of mitogens and chemoattractants comprising of four ligand genes (A-, B-, C-, D-chains) implicated in many physiologic and pathophysiologic processes, including atherosclerosis, fibrosis and tumorigenesis. Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms, which regulate PDGF-C transcription remains incomplete. Transient transfection analysis, conventional and quantitative real-time PCR revealed the induction of PDGF-C transcription and mRNA expression in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) exposed to the peptide hormone angiotensin (ATII), which induces Egr-1. Occupancy of a G + C-rich element in the proximal region of the PDGF-C promoter was unaffected by ATII. Instead we discovered, using both nuclear extracts and recombinant proteins with EMSA and ChIP analyses, the existence of a second Egr-1-binding element located 500 bp upstream. ATII induction of PDGF-C transcription is mediated by the angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) and Egr-1 activation through this upstream element. DNAzyme ED5 targeting Egr-1 blocked ATII-inducible PDGF-C expression. Moreover, increased PDGF-C expression after exposure to ATII depends upon the differentiation state of the SMCs. This study demonstrates the existence of this novel ATII-AT1R-Egr-1-PDGF-C axis in SMCs of neonatal origin, but not in adult SMCs, where ATII induces Egr-1 but not PDGF-C.
authors.affiliation: The Centre for Vascular Research, The University of New South Wales and Department of Haematology, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Estella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Guerrero
authors.forename: Valerie C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Midgley
authors.forename: Levon M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Khachigian
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D051381:Rats; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
chemical_list: D051766:Early Growth Response Protein 1; D008222:Lymphokines; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; C411423:platelet-derived growth factor C; D000804:Angiotensin II