Glucocorticoid induction of rat angiotensin II type 1A receptor gene promoter

Promoter/luciferase reporter analysis indicated that the 5'-flanking region of rat angiotensin II type 1A receptor gene was functional, both in the rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) and in Y1 cells derived from mouse adrenal cortex. In response to dexamethasone (Dex), transcriptional activity of promoter increased in transfected RASMCs, suggesting the functional cis-action of a glucocorticoid responsive elements (GRE). Furthermore, the expression of the rat AT1A gene was also up-regulated by Dex at the levels of both mRNA and protein in RASMCs.