Glucocorticoid regulation of fatty acid synthase gene expression in fetal rat lung

There are developmental and glucocorticoid-induced increases in the rate of fatty acid biosynthesis and in the activity of fatty acid synthase in late gestation fetal lung. We have now measured mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase and of two other enzymes of fatty acid biosynthesis, ATP citrate lyase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, in developing fetal and postnatal rat lung and in fetal lung explants cultured with and without dexamethasone. There was a developmental increase in the mRNA for fatty acid synthase with the maximum level being reached on fetal day 21 (term is fetal day 22). This profile was similar to that reported for de novo fatty acid synthesis and fatty acid synthase activity. There was a similar but less pronounced developmental increase in the mRNA for ATP citrate lyase and a corresponding increase in its activity. There was no developmental change in the mRNA for acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Dexamethasone increased the level of fatty acid synthase mRNA approximately threefold but had no effect on those for ATP citrate lyase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. The effect of dexamethasone on fatty acid synthase mRNA was rapid, biphasic, and partly inhibited by actinomycin D and cycloheximide. We conclude that glucocorticoids increase expression of the gene for fatty acid synthase in fetal lung. The effect of the hormone appears to be due to increased transcription and post-transcriptional events and is dependent on protein synthesis.