Dexamethasone mediated stabilization of insulin receptor mRNA

To determine the mechanism of glucocorticoid mediated enhancement of insulin receptor (IR) gene expression, we cotransfected a glucocorticoid receptor expression vector and a plasmid containing a reporter gene driven by an MMTV or IR promoter into COS 7 cells. Dexamethasone (Dex) increased MMTV promoter activity by 100% but had no effect on IR promoter activity. In the glucocorticoid responsive breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, Dex increased IR mRNA by 60%, and increased the IR mRNA half-life from approximately 6hrs to > 24 hrs. No glucocorticoid responsive element could be located in the insulin receptor 3' untranslated region. Glucocorticoids stabilize IR mRNA.