Serum transcriptionally regulates Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells

The present study was designed to examine the effects of serum on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha 1- and beta 1-subunit gene expression in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from rat thoracic aortas. Addition of 10% serum to VSMC for 24 h increased Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity 1.5-fold and alpha 1- and beta 1-subunit protein levels 1.9-fold. Serum (10%) caused a 3.5-fold increase in alpha 1-mRNA levels and a 6.7-fold increase in beta 1-mRNA levels, with peak elevations at 12 h. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide abolished serum-mediated beta 1-mRNA induction but did not affect serum-mediated alpha 1-mRNA induction. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors (staurosporine A or calphostin C) or tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors (genistein or herbimycin A) significantly reduced serum-mediated beta 1-mRNA induction but had no effect on serum-mediated alpha 1-mRNA induction. Transfection experiments with the 5'-flanking sequences of the alpha 1- or beta 1-subunit genes linked to the luciferase reporter gene revealed that 10% serum caused 2.8- and 6.5-fold increases in luciferase activity, respectively. Among growth factors, only basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) enhanced luciferase activities for the alpha 1- and beta 1-subunit genes. We conclude that 1) serum stimulates alpha 1- and beta 1-mRNA expression, alpha 1- and beta 1-subunit protein accumulation, and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity; 2) serum-mediated beta 1-mRNA induction partly requires de novo synthesis of intermediate regulatory proteins and activation of PKC and TK, whereas serum-mediated alpha 1-mRNA induction occurs through PKC- and TK-independent mechanisms; 3) the 5'-flanking regions of the alpha 1- and beta 1-subunit genes are serum responsive; and 4) FGF mimics stimulatory effects of serum on promoter activities for the alpha 1- and beta 1-subunit genes.