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Ascorbate stimulation of PAT cells causes an increase in transcription rates and a decrease in degradation rates of
Nucleic Acids Research
|March 12, 1984
Summary
Vitamin C (ascorbate) significantly boosts collagen production in avian tendon cells by increasing gene transcription and stabilizing messenger RNA (mRNA). This dual action leads to a six-fold rise in procollagen mRNA levels, crucial for cell growth and repair.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Metabolism
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Procollagen alpha 2 (I) mRNA induction in primary avian tendon (PAT) cells by ascorbate is a known phenomenon.
- Previous studies established a 6-fold induction that is linear after a 12-hour lag, reaching maximum levels in 60-72 hours.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the detailed metabolic changes in procollagen mRNA metabolism within fully induced PAT cells.
- To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the significant ascorbate-induced increase in procollagen mRNA levels.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of procollagen gene transcription rates in PAT cells treated with ascorbate.
- Determination of procollagen mRNA half-life and stability.
- Assessment of procollagen mRNA binding to oligo (dT)-cellulose.
Main Results:
- Ascorbate treatment was found to increase the rate of procollagen gene transcription by approximately threefold.
- A significant stabilization of procollagen mRNA was observed, increasing its half-life from 10.5 hours to 20 hours.
- The enhanced mRNA stability did not correlate with altered binding to oligo (dT)-cellulose.
Conclusions:
- The six-fold induction of procollagen mRNA by ascorbate is primarily driven by a threefold increase in gene transcription.
- A twofold increase in mRNA half-life, indicating enhanced stability, further contributes to the elevated procollagen mRNA levels.
- These combined transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms account for the specific increase in procollagen mRNA.