ACTH increases expression of c-fos, c-jun and beta-actin genes in the dexamethasone-treated rat adrenals.

Our recent finding that ACTH increases c-fos mRNA in the adrenal gland of hypophysectomized rats indicates that the gene product FOS may play an important role(s) in mediating the action of ACTH. However, hypophysectomy employed in that study causes the disappearance of trophic hormones other than ACTH and may modify the effect of ACTH. Thus, in the present investigation, dexamethasone-treated rats were used. Since FOS functions only when it dimerizes with JUN (the product of c-jun gene), the changes in the levels of c-fos and c-jun mRNAs were studied together with that of beta-actin mRNA which is also affected by ACTH. Northern blot analysis was employed to determine the mRNA levels. It was demonstrated that ACTH increases the mRNAs coding c-fos and c-jun in the adrenal glands of dexamethasone-treated, ACTH-suppressed rats. The c-fos mRNA was not detectable before ACTH administration. After ACTH administration, the mRNA levels were transiently increased, the maximum level being observed at 30 min after ACTH. At 180 min post ACTH, the level returned to the unstimulated level. The mRNA coding c-jun was detectable before ACTH administration and it also increased rapidly after ACTH with maximal stimulation at 30 min. However, the mRNA level at 180 min post ACTH was still higher than the unstimulated level. The changes in beta-actin mRNA were approximately the same as those of c-jun mRNA. These results suggest that increased expression of c-fos, c-jun and beta-actin genes by ACTH may play an important role in mediating its action on the adrenals.     

Neurokinin A induces c-fos, c-jun, and c-myc expression in L6 rat myoblasts

Neurokinin A (NKA), a neuropeptide belonging to the tachykinin family, induced c-fos proto-oncogene mRNA expression in serum-deprived L6J1 rat skeletal myoblasts in vitro. The marked increase reached maximal levels after 15 to 30 min. In contrast to this, c-jun and c-myc proto-oncogene expression were only slightly induced, with peak levels after 30 min. NKA did not stimulate DNA synthesis or cell proliferation in serum-deprived L6J1 myoblasts. We demonstrate a relationship between NKA treatment and induction of c-fos, c-jun and c-myc mRNA expression in serum-deprived L6J1 rat myoblasts. The results on DNA synthesis and cell proliferation indicate that the induced proto-oncogene expression alone is not enough to induce a cellular response to NKA. Possible mechanisms of action are discussed.     

Retinoic acid repressed the expression of c-fos and c-jun and induced apoptosis in regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy.

Retinoic acid (RA), which was injected within 4 h after partial hepatectomy (PH), inhibited DNA synthesis in regenerating liver. The inhibition was accompanied by apoptosis, evidenced by in situ end labeling and gel electrophoresis of DNA fragmentation. Characteristic DNA fragmentation was obvious at 4 h and reached a maximum at 8 h after injection. Northern blot analysis revealed that RA repressed the expression of c-fos and c-jun at 15 and 30 min with the up-regulation of retinoic acid receptor gamma (RARgamma) and RARbeta at 2 h after PH. The transglutaminase II mRNA level and activity were increased by RA injection at 4 h and 8 h after PH, respectively. The mRNA levels of thymidylate synthase and thymidine kinase, which are rate determining enzymes of DNA synthesis, decreased in RA injected rats. No change was seen in the expression of p53 and p21WAF1/CIP1 which have been suggested to participate in the apoptosis process. These results suggest that RA exerts the antiproliferative activity only on the early stage of liver regeneration accompanied by the repression of c-fos and c-jun expression and induction of apoptosis.     

大鼠卵巢不同功能阶段时c-fos表达的动态变化

目的和方法：本文用免疫组织化学方法检测了成年大鼠卵巢于不同的功能阶段和未成年大鼠外源性激素诱导的卵巢于不同的功能阶段c-fos表达的变化以及与血清E2和P含量的相关关系。结果：在成年大鼠动情前期、动情期卵巢的间质腺和基质中及动情间期和妊娠期卵巢的黄体细胞和基质中有c-fos表达,c-fos蛋白阳性信号的表达范围和表达强度在动情前期卵巢较大,动情间期和动情期卵巢较低,妊娠期卵巢最大,这种变化与血清E2和P含量的变化呈明显的正相关关系。未成年大鼠,用DES使卵泡发育至窦前期时,在卵巢中未检测到有c-fos蛋白的表达,用PMSG使贸泡发育至排卵前期时在卵巢的间质腺和基质中有c-fos表达,用PMSG和hCG后4天形成的早期黄体化卵巢c-fos在黄体细胞和基质中的表达明显升高,而于用hCG后9天形成的晚期黄体化卵巢c-fos表达明显下降,这种变化也与血清E2和P含量的变化呈明显的正相关关系。结论：c-fos与卵泡发育、排卵、黄体形成和退化等功能密切相关。     

Microinjection of transforming ras protein induces c-fos expression.

Microinjection of p21ras induced c-fos protein accumulation in three types of 3T3 cells. The induction was rapid and efficient and persisted for many hours. In addition, anti-ras antibody dramatically reduced c-fos accumulation after serum stimulation of injected cells. However, cells which expressed p21ras continuously did not maintain a high level of c-fos expression.     

内皮素-1对培养新生大鼠心肌细胞原癌基因c-fos表达的诱导

本实验用无血清的培养新生大鼠心肌细胞,探讨内皮素１（ＥＴ１）对原癌基因ｃｆｏｓ表达的作用。结果显示：ＥＴ１可显著诱导ｃｆｏｓ的表达,其表达的高峰在３０ｍｉｎ,２ｈ恢复到正常水平,并呈剂量依赖性反应和被ＥＴＡ的特异性受体拮抗剂ＢＱ１２３所阻断;蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）激动剂ＰＭＡ可诱导ｃｆｏｓ表达,而ＰＫＣ抑制剂Ｓｔａｕｒｏｓｐｏｒｉｎｅ则可阻断ＥＴ１诱导的ｃｆｏｓ表达;钙通道阻断剂硝苯吡啶预处理心肌细胞对ＥＴ１诱导的心肌细胞的ｃｆｏｓ表达无明显的作用。这些结果提示,ＥＴ１诱导ｃｆｏｓ表达是通过ＥＴＡ受体介导的,ＰＫＣ在此过程中起重要作用。     

Differential effects of cholera toxin and pertussis toxin on the c-fos and c-jun mRNA expression in rat C6 glioma cells

Cholera toxin (CTX) increased c-fos mRNA level whereas it down-regulated the c-jun mRNA level in rat C6 glioma cells. In contrast to the action of CTX, pertussis toxin (PTX) did not affect either c-fos or c-jun mRNA level. The elevated c-fos mRNA level induced by CTX was significantly inhibited by the co-treatment with dexamethasone (DEX). However, DEX did not affect CTX-induced down-regulation of c-jun mRNA level. Cycloheximide (CHX) increased c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels. CHX caused a super-induction of CTX-induced c-fos mRNA level. Our results suggest that CTX-, but not PTX-, sensitive G-proteins may play an important role for c-fos mRNA up-regulation and c-jun mRNA down-regulation. In addition, DEX appears to have a selective inhibitory action against c-fos mRNA expression regulated by CTX. Ongoing protein synthesis inhibition is required for the superinduction of c-fos, but not c-jun, mRNA induced by CTX.     

Postnatal androgenization induces premature aging of rat ovaries

In the present paper, we report that ovaries of adult rats treated with testosterone propionate (TP) on a critical postnatal Day 5 exhibit histologic and immunohistochemical findings which resemble those of the anovulatory ovaries in middle-aged female rats. The sterile rat model has been long known whereas ovarian failure seems to be a reason for anovulation with normal hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadotropin background. Appropriate function of ovarian steroidogenic cells is also regulated by mesenchymal cells. To characterize the ovarian failure, we studied the histology, luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) expression, and characterized changes of vascular pericytes, T cells, and dendritic cells in ovarian steroidogenic compartments consisting of interstitial cells (ISC) of ovarian interstitial glands, and granulosa and theca interna cells of ovarian follicles. Normal adult ovaries contained 63% of mature interstitial glands. The mature ISC exhibited moderate cytoplasmic and strong surface LHR expression and fine (<5 micrometer) cytoplasmic vacuoles (ISC of 'luteal type'). They originated from young ISC of 'thecal type,' which exhibited strong cytoplasmic LHR expression. Remaining 37% were aged interstitial glands, which consisted of aged ISC (increased cytoplasmic vacuolization, nuclear pyknosis, and reduced surface LHR expression) and regressing ISC (weak cytoplasmic and no surface LHR expression). However, no mature ISC of 'luteal type' were detected in anovulatory ovaries of adult rats (45- and 60-day-old) injected with TP (100 or 500 microgram) on postnatal Day 5 (TP rats). Their ovaries contained 96% of aged interstitial glands with aged and regressing ISC. Remaining 4% were abnormal interstitial glands with direct transition of young ISC of 'thecal type' into aged ISC (young/aged glands). Lack of mature ISC, and similar amount of aged (96%) and young/aged interstitial glands (4%) was also detected in anovulatory ovaries of untreated persistently estrous middle-aged (10-month-old) females (aging PE rats). The aging process in TP and aging PE rats was accompanied by regression of vascular pericytes, T cells, and dendritic cells within the interstitial glands. In addition, anovulatory ovaries of TP rats and aging PE females contained mature follicles exhibiting LHR overexpression by granulosa cells, and aged (cystic) follicles with reduced layers of granulosa cells lacking LHR expression. In contrast, when the rats were injected with 500 microgram of TP later, on postnatal Day 10, the adult females exhibited estrous cycles and normal ovaries with corpora lutea. These results show that injection of TP during the critical postnatal period causes a lack of mature and preponderance of aged ISC in adult ovaries, accompanied by degeneration of mesenchymal cells. We suggest that mesenchymal cells regulate qualitative aspects of tissue-specific cells, and this function of mesenchymal cells is programmed during the critical period of development.