Bone morphogenetic protein signaling modulates myocardin transactivation of cardiac genes

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play important roles in cardiovascular development. However, how BMP-signaling pathways regulate cardiac gene expression is less clear. We have previously identified myocardin as a cardiac and smooth muscle-specific transcriptional cofactor for serum response factor (SRF). Myocardin potently activates target gene expression by tethering with SRF bound to SRF-responsive elements, the CArG box. Here, we show that Smad1, an effector of the BMP-signaling pathway, synergistically activates myocardin-dependent cardiac gene expression. Interestingly, the CArG box is necessary and sufficient to mediate such synergy, whereas no obvious Smad-binding element appears to be involved. Consistent with their functional interaction, we find that myocardin and Smad1 proteins interact directly. Furthermore, myocardin protein levels were dramatically increased by BMP-2 treatment in cardiomyocytes. These findings suggest myocardin participates in a BMP signaling-dependent cardiac gene transcriptional program.