Biomedical subjects

R L Medcalf

Publications and source records attributed to R L Medcalf.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 contains mRNA instability elements within exon 4 of the coding region. Sequence homology to coding region instability determinants in other mRNAs.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) is a serine protease inhibitor that inhibits urokinase. Constitutive and regulated PAI-2 gene expression involves post-transcriptional events, and an AU-rich mRNA instability motif within the 3'-untranslated region of PAI-2 mRNA is required for this process (Maurer, F., Tierney, M., and Medcalf, R. L. (1999) Nucleic Acids Res. 27, 1664-1673). Here we show that instability determinants are present within various exons of the PAI-2 coding region, most notably within exon 4. Deletion of exon 4 from the full-length PAI-2 cDNA results in a doubling in the half-life of PAI-2 mRNA, whereas a 28-nucleotide region within exon 4 contains binding sites for cytoplasmic proteins. Inducible stabilization of PAI-2 mRNA in HT-1080 cells treated with phorbol ester and tumor necrosis factor does not alter the binding of proteins to the exon 4 instability determinant, but resulted in a transient increase in the binding of factors to the AU-rich RNA instability element. Hence, PAI-2 mRNA stability is influenced by elements located within both the coding region and the 3'-untranslated region and that cytoplasmic mRNA binding factors may influence steady state and inducible PAI-2 mRNA expression. Finally a 10-nucleotide region flanking the exon 4 protein-binding site is homologous to instability elements within five other transcripts, suggesting that a common coding region determinant may exist.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2001

Physiologic concentrations of magnesium and placental apoptosis: prevention by antioxidants.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the role of physiologic magnesium concentrations on the induction of placental apoptosis in vitro and test the anti-apoptotic action of antioxidants. METHODS: Placental tissue was obtained from normal pregnancies after cesarean delivery. Placental explants were incubated with increasing concentrations of extracellular magnesium (range 0-2.0 mM). Placental apoptosis was evaluated by tissue morphology, DNA fragmentation, cytokeratin-18 neoepitope formation, and cleavage of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2. RESULTS: Physiologic concentrations of extracellular magnesium stimulated placental apoptosis. Magnesium stimulated apoptosis within the physiologic range (0.8-1.2 mM) (n = 6, P <.001) and was associated with cleavage of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 and cytokeratin-18 neoepitope formation. These data implicate caspase activation in the transduction of the magnesium-induced apoptotic signal. Therapeutic concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin E, and acetylcysteine (all at 25 microg/mL) inhibited DNA fragmentation and attenuated cleavage of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 and cytokeratin-18 neoepitope formation. CONCLUSION: Magnesium-induced placental apoptosis is a potent mechanism of placental degeneration in vitro and may represent an important regulator of placental tissue dynamics in vivo. The ability of antioxidants to prevent magnesium-induced placental apoptosis implicates oxidation-reduction-dependent signaling events in this process. Furthermore, these findings provide a basis for further studies of antioxidants in mitigating the adverse effects of preeclampsia.

Acetylcysteine↗

PubMed2001

Control elements between -9.5 and -3.0 kb in the human tissue-type plasminogen activator gene promoter direct spatial and inducible expression to the murine brain.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) participates in the control of synaptic plasticity and memory formation in the central nervous system (CNS). Transgenic mice harbouring either 9.5, 3.0 or 1.4 kb of the human t-PA promoter fused to the LacZ reporter gene were used to assess t-PA promoter-directed expression in vivo. The 9.5 kb t-PA promoter directed expression to the brain, most notably to the dentate gyrus, superior colliculus, hippocampus, thalamus and piriform cortex. Staining was also observed in the retrosplenial and somatosensory cortex. The 3.0 kb t-PA promoter directed generalized and poorly defined expression to the cortex and hippocampus, while the 1.4 kb t-PA promoter directed expression selectively to the medial habenula. Intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide into mice harbouring the 9.5 kb t-PA promoter resulted in an increase in reporter gene activity in the lateral orbital cortex and thalamus. Results of in vitro transfection experiments of NT2 cells with a series of t-PA promoter deletion constructs confirmed the presence of regulatory elements throughout the 9.5 kb promoter region. Finally, we describe a cis-acting element related to the NFAT recognition site that provides a protein-binding site and which may play a role in the selective expression of the 1.4 t-PA promoter in the medial habenula. These results indicate that elements between -3.0 and -9.5 kb of the t-PA promoter confer constitutive and inducible expression to specific regions of the CNS.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Ectopic expression of the cAMP-responsive element binding protein inhibits phorbol ester-mediated induction of tissue-type plasminogen activator gene expression.

The human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) gene is regulated in a cell-type dependent manner. The t-PA gene is transcriptionally induced by the phorbol ester PMA in HeLa cells, but suppressed by PMA in HT-1080 cells. A cAMP responsive element (tPACRE) and a Sp-1 site located within the proximal t-PA gene promoter are functionally important in both cell systems. HeLa and HT-1080 cells contain a different repertoire of factors that associate with the tPACRE. In HT-1080 cells, CREB and c-Jun are the two major t-PACRE binding proteins identified, while activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) is a predominant t-PACRE binding protein in HeLa cells. To determine whether alteration in the distribution of tPACRE binding proteins would influence the differential regulation of the t-PA gene in these cells, the tPACRE binding profiles in these two cell systems were manipulated by over expressing ATF-2 in HT-1080 cells and CREB in HeLa cells. Supershift experiments confirmed that the overexpression of these factors resulted in binding to the tPACRE site. However, the presence of ATF-2 in HT-1080 cells did not affect either constitutive or PMA-mediated suppression of the endogenous t-PA gene. In contrast, enforced tPACRE-binding activity of CREB in HeLa cells significantly reduced the magnitude of PMA-mediated induction of t-PA mRNA in HeLa cells. These results indicate that the introduction of CREB into HeLa cells disrupts the regulation of the t-PA gene.

Activating Transcription Factor 2↗

PubMed2001

Human endothelial cell-derived nuclear proteins that recognise polymorphic DNA elements in the von Willebrand factor gene promoter include YY1.

Four common base-change polymorphisms have been found in the von Willebrand factor gene promoter: (-1793 C/G, -1234 T/C, -1185 G/A and -1051 A/G). All four polymorphisms are in strong linkage disequilibrium and recent reports have indicated these polymorphisms are associated with plasma vWF:Ag levels suggesting that one or more of these elements influence regulation of the vWF gene. We report that human endothelial cell-derived trans-acting factors display allelic preferences in binding activity to each polymorphic site. The common A allele variant of the -1051 polymorphism and the rarer A allele variant of the -1185 polymorphism provided specific binding of nuclear proteins. The G allele counterpart of these two variants did not produce any complex formation indicating that the nucleotide substitution at these positions alters the DNA binding ability of nuclear factors. The two alleles of the -1234 polymorphism produced two complexes with a similar migration pattern however stronger binding was found to the common T variant of this allele. Two specific complexes associated with the rarer G allele of the -1793 polymorphism, but only one associated with the C allele. Supershift experiments revealed that the trans-acting factor YYI recognised the slower migrating complex formed on the -1234 T/C and the -1051 A polymorphic sites with a strong binding preference for the -1234 T allele variant. The identification of YY1 as a component of the factors that recognise these elements suggests that this ubiquitous nuclear protein may play a role in the regulation of the vWF promoter.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Overexpression of a dominant negative CREB protein in HT-1080 cells selectively disrupts plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 but not tissue-type plasminogen activator gene expression.

The tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) genes are differentially regulated by 12-phorbol 13-myristate acetate (PMA) in HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells. PMA transcriptionally down-regulates the t-PA gene in HT-1080 cells, while the PAI-2 gene is simultaneously induced by this agonist. The t-PA and PAI-2 gene promoters harbour a cAMP-response element (CRE) which influences the expression of both genes. We have compared the binding activity of nuclear factors that recognise these CRE sites. We show that CREB (CRE binding protein) recognises each CRE and that the degree of constitutive Ser119-phosphorylated t-PA CRE-bound CREB was greater than for PAI-2 CRE bound CREB. Stable transfection of HT-1080 cells with a plasmid containing a CREB that could not be phosphorylated on Ser119 (pCI-CREB(ala119)) did not influence PMA-mediated suppression of t-PA mRNA, but markedly impaired PMA-mediated induction of PAI-2 mRNA. Our results demonstrate that the Ser119 residue of CREB plays a crucial role in PMA-mediated induction of PAI-2 gene expression, whereas PMA-mediated suppression of t-PA in HT-1080 cells requires a different process.

Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator↗

PubMed2000

The novel anti-tumour agent oxamflatin differentially regulates urokinase and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 expression and inhibits urokinase-mediated proteolytic activity.

Cell surface, urokinase (u-PA)-mediated, plasminogen activation has recently been recognised as a process integral to extracellular matrix degradation. The primary inhibitor of u-PA activity in the extracellular matrix is plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2), a serine protease inhibitor. The malignant metastatic phenotype is associated with excessive and uncontrolled, tumour cell-associated, u-PA-mediated, extracellular matrix degradation. Inhibition of the malignant metastatic phenotype via induction of PAI-2 expression and/or inhibition of u-PA expression may represent a novel means via which the metastatic phenotype can be arrested. Agents capable of inducing PAI-2 and/or inhibiting u-PA activity may restrict u-PA-mediated tumour cell proteolysis and facilitate in the development of therapeutic strategies to combat malignant disease. We have identified the hydroxamic acid derivative oxamflatin, previously noted to revert the malignant phenotype in K-ras-transformed NIH-3T3 cells, as capable of upregulating PAI-2 and simultaneously suppressing u-PA expression in two different cell systems. In addition, zymographic analysis indicated that oxamflatin treatment results in a significant reduction in u-PA proteolytic activity in both HT-1080 fibrosarcoma and U-937 histiocytic lymphoma cells. We postulate that oxamflatin represents a novel means by which induction of PAI-2 and concomitant inhibition of u-PA gene and protein expression can be achieved and may be of benefit in inhibiting the malignant metastatic phenotype.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1999

An AU-rich sequence in the 3'-UTR of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) mRNA promotes PAI-2 mRNA decay and provides a binding site for nuclear HuR.

The plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) gene is regulated by transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. We have previously shown that insertion of the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of PAI-2 mRNA into the 3'-UTR of a beta-globin reporter mRNA reduces constitutive beta-globin mRNA expression and that this requires, at least in part, an AU-rich motif. Here we have directly assessed the role of this motif in PAI-2 mRNA stability using both chimeric and non-chimeric reporter systems. We first show that the full-length PAI-2 mRNA is indeed unstable with a half-life of 1 h. Using the c-fos promoter-driven human growth hormone (HGH) mRNA as a reporter, we demonstrate that the 580 nt 3'-UTR of PAI-2 accelerates chimeric HGH mRNA decay in a process which is dependent on the intact AU-rich sequence. Furthermore, disruption of this motif within a constitutively expressed PAI-2 cDNA produces a 2.5- and 2. 7-fold increase in PAI-2 mRNA and protein levels in HT-1080 cells, respectively. RNA electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays indicate that this motif provides a specific binding site for cellular proteins that include nuclear HuR. Taken together, these data show that a correlation exists between the binding of HuR to the AU-rich motif in vitro and the destabilizing properties conferred by this sequence in vivo.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed1998

Transcriptional regulation of the tissue-type plasminogen-activator gene in human endothelial cells: identification of nuclear factors that recognise functional elements in the tissue-type plasminogen-activator gene promoter.

The gene encoding human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is regulated in a cell-type-specific manner. Previous studies in non-endothelial cells have indicated that basal and phorbol ester mediated induction is controlled by a cAMP response element (CRE) referred to as the tPACRE, and an activating protein 2 (AP-2)-like site. The classification of the AP-2-like site was assigned on the basis of its sequence homology, but has been shown in some cell systems to be recognised by promoter-specific transcription factor-1 (Sp-1). Here, we have investigated the transcriptional regulation of the t-PA gene in endothelial cells and addressed the functional roles of the tPACRE and the Sp-1/AP-2-like sites. 5'-RACE experiments indicate that the t-PA gene uses two transcription initiation sites in these cells with the downstream site being preferred. Functional analyses of the t-PA promoter using reporter-gene constructs transfected into C11STH endothelial cells demonstrate that the first 410 bp of the t-PA promoter confers an increase in reporter-gene activity on treatment with 4beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Mutagenesis of either the tPACRE or the Sp-1/AP-2 site weakens both basal and inducible expression, while disruption of both sites renders the promoter completely unresponsive. Using supershift assays, we identify the predominant tPACRE-binding proteins in nuclear extracts prepared from both C11STH cells and primary umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as activating transcription factor 2, CREB (cAMP-responsive-element-binding protein), CREM (cAMP response element modulator) and c-jun. Treatment of cells with PMA results in a selective recruitment of jun-D to the tPACRE, while Sp-1 was identified as the major transcription factor that recognises the AP-2-like site. Based on this data and previous reports, we have reassigned this as a Sp-1-binding site. Finally, the identification of specific endothelial-derived t-PACRE-binding proteins suggests an integral role for these factors in the regulation of t-PA gene expression in human endothelial cells.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1998

The urokinase-type-plasminogen-activator receptor (CD87) is a pleiotropic molecule.

Since its discovery over a decade ago, evidence has accumulated implicating the cell-surface urokinase receptor (u-PAR), in numerous biological processes. Most notable has been the identification of a critical role for u-PAR in the regulation of cell-surface plasminogen activation in physiological and pathological conditions. Recent evidence suggests that u-PAR, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked receptor, lacking transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, is also involved in processes not related to plasminogen activation, including cellular adhesion and the transmission of extracellular signals across the plasma membrane. Involvement of activated u-PAR in these events identifies previously unsuspected roles for this molecule and defines a new field of research in u-PAR biology. We discuss the molecular biology of u-PAR together with the underlying mechanisms responsible for the novel functional roles recently ascribed to this pleiotropic molecule.

Cell Adhesion↗

PubMed1997

Urokinase-mediated transactivation of the plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) gene promoter in HT-1080 cells utilises AP-1 binding sites and potentiates phorbol ester-mediated induction of endogenous PAI-2 mRNA.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) bound to its receptor, u-PAR, initiates signal transduction pathways able to induce expression of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) family member c-fos [1]. Since transcription factors bound to AP-1 recognition sequences within the PAI-2 gene promoter play a role in basal and phorbol ester-mediated induction of PAI-2 gene expression, we hypothesised that u-PA/u-PAR-mediated modulation of AP-1 activity would in turn influence constitutive and inducible PAI-2 gene expression. Treatment of HT-1080 or U-937 cells with high molecular weight u-PA (HMW u-PA) resulted in induction of nuclear proteins binding to a functional AP-1 element in the proximal PAI-2 promoter. This increase in AP-1 activity correlated with a transactivation of the PAI-2 gene promoter in transiently transfected HT-1080 cells. We also demonstrate the u-PA treatment potentiated phorbol ester (PMA)-mediated induction of PAI-2 mRNA, indicating that u-PA binding produces a bone fide response in vivo.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Inhibition of interleukin 1 beta-converting enzyme-mediated apoptosis of mammalian cells by baculovirus IAP.

Apoptosis can be a potent weapon against viral infection and consequently has selected for viruses carrying antiapoptosis genes. Two baculovirus proteins, IAP and p35, can prevent insect cells from dying in response to infection. p35, which interferes with members of the Ced-3 family of cysteine proteases, can also function in mammalian cells. We investigated the ability of IAP from Orgyia pseudotsugata nuclear polyhedrosis virus to prevent death of mammalian cells. IAP was transiently expressed in mammalian cells and its ability to block cell death caused by expression of interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE), FADD, or the ICE homologues ICH-1 and ICE-Lap3, was investigated. IAP strongly inhibited ICE- and ICH-1-induced cell death but protected only partially against death by overexpression of FADD and not at all against death due to enforced ICE-Lap3 expression. These results demonstrate that a baculoviral IAP protein can functionally interact with conserved components of the apoptosis machinery in mammalian cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 gene induction by tumor necrosis factor and phorbol ester involves transcriptional and post-transcriptional events. Identification of a functional nonameric AU-rich motif in the 3'-untranslated region.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) mRNA and antigen levels are synergistically induced in HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells when treated with a combination of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Here we demonstrate that this effect is not fully reflected at the level of gene transcription, suggesting a contribution of post-transcriptional events in this induction. Insertion of the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of PAI-2 mRNA into the 3'-UTR of a rabbit beta-globin reporter gene reduces beta-globin-PAI-2 chimeric mRNA expression in stably transfected cells. The region within the PAI-2 3'-UTR responsible for this effect is located within the 368-nucleotide sequence preceding the poly(A) tail, a segment that includes a nonameric UUAUUUAUU motif. Mutagenesis of this element abolishes the PAI-2 3'-UTR destabilizing effect, revealing a functional role for this motif. TNF and PMA co-treatment of transfected cells increases beta-globin-PAI-2 chimeric mRNA expression 3-4-fold, indicating that the inherently unstable 3'-UTR of PAI-2 mRNA can become stabilized in response to TNF and PMA. Our results indicate that induction of PAI-2 gene expression by TNF and PMA involves both direct transcription as well as mRNA stabilization, the latter involving an AU-rich nonameric motif in the 3'-UTR.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Molecular mechanisms governing tumor-necrosis-factor-mediated regulation of plasminogen-activator inhibitor type-2 gene expression.

Plasminogen-activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2), a serine protease inhibitor involved in the regulation of urokinase-dependent proteolysis, is also implicated in the inhibition of tumor-necrosis-factor-(TNF)-mediated apoptosis. The PAI-2 gene is one of the most TNF-responsive genes known and is also highly induced by the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and the phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid, in both HT-1080 fibrosarcoma and U-937 histiocytic cells. We sought to identify and characterize regulatory cis-acting DNA elements and trans-acting factors which mediate basal and inducible PAI-2 gene transcription. A series of promoter deletion mutants (nucleotides -1859 to -91) fused to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene were transfected into HT-1080 cells. Two repressor regions were identified; one distally between positions -1859 and -1100, and one proximally between positions -259 and -219. Cells transfected with constructs harboring more than 259 bp promoter sequence produced a 10-15-fold increase in CAT activity when treated with PMA or okadaic acid, but produced only a minimal (2.5-fold) increase in response to TNF. Removal of the proximal repressor by deletion to position -219, or by internal deletion from the -1100 PAI-2 CAT construct, resulted in a selective increase in TNF responsiveness, suggesting that induction of PAI-2 gene transcription by TNF is associated with derepression. Detailed analysis of the proximal repressor utilizing the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), identified two novel and distinct protein-binding sites (A and B). Site A is located within the 40-bp proximal repressor while site B is situated immediately adjacent to the 3' boundary. Treatment of cells with PMA or okadaic acid produced no change in the binding activity of proteins recognising sites A or B. However, treatment of cells with TNF results in a profound selective reduction in site-B-binding activity, suggesting that this site plays a significant role in TNF-mediated regulation of PAI-2 gene expression. Our findings suggest that TNF-mediated induction of PAI-2 gene expression involves derepression and is associated with cis-acting and trans-acting factors located within and adjacent to the proximal repressor region.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Differential binding of cAMP-responsive-element (CRE)-binding protein-1 and activating transcription factor-2 to a CRE-like element in the human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) gene promoter correlates with opposite regulation of t-PA by phorbol ester in HT-1080 and HeLa cells.

The human tissue-type plasminogen activator gene (t-PA) is induced by the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), in HeLa cells. Previous studies in transfected HeLa cells identified two cis-acting regulatory elements within the t-PA gene promoter responsible for both constitutive and PMA-inducible expression. One element differs from the consensus cAMP response element (CRE) by a single nucleotide substitution (referred to in this report as t-PACRE) and another which bears similarity to the AP-2 recognition sequence. In HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells, t-PA mRNA levels are expressed at higher constitutive levels and are suppressed by PMA. Nuclear run-on transcription experiments indicate that PMA-mediated suppression of t-PA in these cells is associated with a decrease in t-PA gene template activity. We designed experiments to determine whether nuclear t-PACRE or AP-2-like binding proteins were differentially expressed in HeLa and HT-1080 cells and, accordingly, if these could be correlated with the opposite effect of PMA on t-PA expression. Band shift analyses indicated that the migration profiles of HeLa and HT-1080 nuclear proteins interacting with the AP-2-like site were indistinguishable; however, those produced with the t-PACRE binding site were qualitatively and quantitatively distinct. The distribution of t-PACRE binding proteins in these cells was investigated in a supershift assay using specific antibodies against members of the fos/jun and CRE-binding protein (CREB)/activating transcription factor (ATF) families. In HT-1080 cells, CREB-1 was the most prominent t-PACRE-binding activity detected and was greatly increased in cells treated with PMA. In contrast, CREB-1 activity was absent in HeLa cells, but antibodies specific for ATF-2 produced a marked supershifted complex which was unaffected by PMA treatment. Since CREB-1 can repress transcription of other target genes (including c-jun) via association with identical cis-acting CRE-like sequences, we suggest that the mechanism for the transcriptional down-regulation of t-PA by PMA in HT-1080 cells requires CREB-1 binding to the t-PACRE while ATF-2, by associating with the same site, plays a role in PMA-mediated induction of t-PA in HeLa cells.

Activating Transcription Factor 2↗

PubMed1993

C1-inhibitor-serine proteinase complexes and the biosynthesis of C1-inhibitor by Hep G2 and U 937 cells.

The biosynthesis of the serpin alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor is regulated by a feedback mechanism whereby complexes between alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor and serine proteinases bind to liver cells and monocytes, a reaction that activates alpha 1-proteinase-inhibitor gene transcription. Such a mechanism may form the basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies for serpin deficiency states with reduced levels of otherwise normally functioning serpins. This issue was addressed for C1-inhibitor, the missing serpin in hereditary angioedema. C1-inhibitor biosynthesis by Hep G2 hepatoma cells was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, by metabolic labeling followed by immunoprecipitation, and by Northern blotting. C1-inhibitor biosynthesis was stimulated by gamma-interferon (100 U/mL) but not by cell exposure to C1-inhibitor-kallikrein (1 mumol/L), C1-inhibitor-C1s (1 mumol/L), and C1-inhibitor-plasmin complexes (1 mumol/L) or to reactive site-cleaved C1-inhibitor (1 mumol/L). Moreover, radioiodinated C1s-C1-inhibitor complex did not bind to Hep G2 cells. C1-inhibitor-kallikrein complex was also without effect on C1-inhibitor mRNA in U 937 cells. Therefore, the proposed mechanism, by which serpin-enzyme complex or reactive site-cleaved serpin binding to a specific receptor provides a signal for the stimulation of the biosynthesis of that serpin, is not operative for the biosynthesis of C1-inhibitor by Hep G2 or U 937 cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Retinoic acid potentiates phorbol ester-mediated induction of urokinase and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 in human myeloid leukemic cell lines.

We investigated the interactive regulation of the plasminogen activators (PAs) and their inhibitors (PAIs) by all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) in the presence and absence of the phorbol ester, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), in four developmentally distinct human myeloid leukemic cell lines. Treatment of HL-60, K562, THP-1, and U937 cells with PMA resulted in an induction of urokinase-type PA (u-PA), the u-PA receptor (u-PAR), and PAI types 1 and 2 (PAI-1 and PAI-2). The addition of RA alone failed to alter gene expression or antigen production of PAI-1, PAI-2, or u-PAR. However, RA potentiated PMA-mediated induction of PAI-2 mRNA in HL-60 and U937 cells and PAI-2 antigen in all four cell lines. The effect of PMA on u-PA mRNA was also potentiated by RA in HL-60 and U937 cells. A similar, but transient, effect was seen on u-PA antigen levels. Run-on transcription analysis confirmed that these effects were due at least in part to changes in gene template activity. Furthermore, RA did not potentiate the effects of PMA on either u-PAR or PAI-1. In fact, in U937 cells, RA inhibited PMA-induced PAI-1 antigen secretion by approximately 60%. It would seem that interactive regulation of these genes allows for greater diversity of control, which may, in turn, be required for localized control of plasminogen-dependent extracellular proteolysis generated by monocytes/macrophage during cell migration and tissue remodeling.

Drug Synergism↗

PubMed1992

Three human elastase-like genes coordinately expressed in the myelomonocyte lineage are organized as a single genetic locus on 19pter.

The human neutrophil and monocyte-derived serine protease homologues neutrophil elastase (NE), proteinase 3 (PR3), and azurocidin (AZU) are involved in a variety of immune defense reactions. NE and PR3 assist in the destruction of phagocytosed microorganisms, cleave the important connective-tissue protein elastin, and generate chemotactic activities by forming alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complexes and elastin peptides. AZU is cytotoxic to certain microorganisms and chemotactic for monocytes. All three proteins are produced and packaged into azurophil granules in large quantities during neutrophil differentiation. We have isolated several cosmid clones each of which contains the functional genes for AZU, PR3, and NE in this order. The PR3 gene is separated by 8 kilobases from the 3' end of the AZU gene and by 3 kilobases from the 5' end of the NE gene. We report a physical map of the gene cluster, its location on chromosome 19pter, and the exon-intron organization of the AZU and PR3 genes. Our fluorescence in situ hybridization studies disprove the previous chromosomal assignment of the human NE gene to 11q14. The five exons of AZU and PR3 are organized like those of NE and other granule-associated serine proteases of hematopoietic cells. NE, PR3, and AZU are coordinately downregulated in the premonocytic cell line U937 during induced terminal differentiation. The cluster-like physical organization of these genes and concerted regulation during hematopoietic differentiation suggests that they are located in a developmentally activated chromatin domain promoting high-level, cell-specific expression in the monocyte-myelocyte lineage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗