Regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 mRNA abundance in rat intestinal smooth muscle

Y T Hou1, X P Xin, L Li

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0589, USA.

Insights

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) enhances insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5) mRNA stability in rat intestinal cells. Protein synthesis is crucial for maintaining IGFBP-5 mRNA levels, involving interactions with cytoplasmic proteins.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) influences cellular processes, including gene expression.
  • Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5) plays a role in regulating IGF-I bioavailability and action.
  • The regulation of IGFBP-5 mRNA stability in intestinal smooth muscle cells is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism by which IGF-I affects IGFBP-5 mRNA abundance in rat intestinal smooth muscle cells (RISM).
  • To determine the role of protein synthesis and cytoplasmic proteins in modulating IGFBP-5 mRNA levels.
  • To identify regulatory elements within the IGFBP-5 mRNA that contribute to its stability.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of RISM cells with IGF-I and protein synthesis inhibitors (cycloheximide, anisomycin, emetine, puromycin).
  • Quantification of IGFBP-5 mRNA and nuclear transcripts using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  • Cloning and sequence analysis of IGFBP-5 mRNA 3' and 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) for adenosine-uridine rich elements (AUREs).
  • RNA mobility gel shift assays to identify protein binding to the 3' UTR.

Main Results:

  • IGF-I increased IGFBP-5 mRNA and protein abundance in RISM cells.
  • Protein synthesis inhibitors abolished IGFBP-5 mRNA, indicating dependence on ongoing protein synthesis.
  • IGF-I increased IGFBP-5 nuclear transcripts, suggesting transcriptional regulation.
  • The 3' UTR of IGFBP-5 contains an AURE that binds cytoplasmic proteins, with one activity (BA2) reduced by cycloheximide treatment.
  • These protein-RNA interactions are implicated in regulating IGFBP-5 mRNA stability.

Conclusions:

  • IGFBP-5 mRNA integrity and abundance in RISM cells are dependent on active protein synthesis.
  • IGF-I likely enhances IGFBP-5 mRNA stability through mechanisms involving cytoplasmic protein interactions with the 3' UTR.
  • RNA-protein interactions mediated by the 3' UTR are critical for regulating IGFBP-5 mRNA stability and subsequent cellular actions.