Alpha 1-acid Glycoprotein Gene Research Articles

Transcriptional regulation through cytokine and glucocorticoid response elements of rat acute phase plasma protein genes by C/EBP and JunB.

Independent of de novo protein synthesis, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and dexamethasone caused immediate stimulation of transcriptional activity of most major acute phase plasma protein genes in the rat hepatoma H-35 cells. However, activation of alpha 2-macroglobulin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein genes were delayed by 2-4 h and required ongoing protein synthesis. The hormones also increased transiently the transcription of the junB gene and the amounts of JunB, C/EBP, and C/EBP-like mRNA. To identify whether JunB and C/EBP have the ability to control both the early and late acute phase reactants, expression vectors for mouse C/EBP and JunB together with reporter gene constructs containing recognized hormone-specific regulatory elements were introduced into hepatoma cells. C/EBP displayed prominent transactivation activity with the interleukin-1 and glucocorticoid regulatory elements of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, the interleukin-1 regulatory element of haptoglobin gene, and the interleukin-6 regulatory element of beta-fibrinogen. The interleukin-6 regulatory elements of the first two genes and the glucocorticoid response element of the third gene were not affected by C/EBP. These data suggest that normal hormone activation of these three acute phase reactant genes might involve, in part, C/EBP-related factors which have a broad range of specificity. H-35 cells stably transformed with a mouse C/EBP expression vector showed an elevated basal level as well as cytokine inducible expression of some but not all acute phase reactants. Cotransfected JunB resulted in reduced activity of cytokine-responsive constructs and in lower transactivation by C/EBP. JunB appears to function as a modulator of plasma protein expression during the course of acute phase response.

The Effect of Aging on Constitutive mRNA Levels and Lipopolysaccharide Inducibility of Acute Phase Genesa

Eukaryotic organisms possess natural defense processes associated with their response to injury, inflammation and pollutants. One of these, the acute phase (AP) host response, is characterized by a series of hepatic physiological reactions triggered by factors released as a result of bacterial infection, inflammation or tissue injury and is believed to be the mechanism by which cells and tissues are protected against further damage and injury. The capacity to respond to these physiological insults is known to be affected by aging. We propose that the AP response represents a series of intrinsic processes and interactions that may be affected by aging. Furthermore, we propose that this may be due to the progressive failure of the acute phase response. In this study we examine the relationship between aging and the expression of both positive and negative acute phase reactants, i.e., acute phase serum proteins whose levels are increased or decreased in response to systemic injury and infection. The mRNA levels of the positive acute phase reactants, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), alpha 1-antitrypsin (AT), and the negative acute phase reactant, albumin were measured in both normal and inflammation-induced mice of ages 2, 7, 12, and 24 months. A significant decrease in the constitutive levels of AT and albumin mRNAs occurred as a function of increased age. Furthermore, aging decreased the ability of the AGP and albumin genes to respond to inflammation. Our studies indicate that aging may affect the transcription of these genes, processing of their mRNA or stability of the mRNA levels.

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of complementary DNA encoding rabbit α1-acid glycoprotein

Alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) complementary DNA clone has been isolated from an acute phase rabbit liver library. Complete and full-length nucleotide sequence of this cDNA has been determined. The cDNA contains 35 nucleotides 5′ untranslated region followed by 606 nucleotides of coding region and a 112 nucleotides 3′ untranslated region. Comparison of this sequence with that of human, rat and mouse reveals a high degree of homology with human α 1-AGP. Northern blot analysis of messenger RNA for α 1-AGP in normal and acute livers demonstrates remarkable induction of transcription of this gene in rabbit in response to acute inflammation by the administration of turpentine. Such a response of AGP gene expression makes it a major member of the acute phase responsive genes in rabbit liver.

NF-AB, a liver-specific and cytokine-inducible nuclear factor that interacts with the interleukin-1 response element of the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene.

The 142-bp cytokine response element of the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) gene is a complex of several additively contributing regulatory sequences. By using deletions and point mutations, a minimal interleukin-1 (IL-1) response element was localized to the region from positions 1 to 36 within the 5'-most AB fragment of the cytokine response element. Two distinct sequence motifs were contained within this element, both of which were required to achieve full IL-1 response in rat and human hepatoma cells. This element showed a minor response to phorbol ester treatment only in human hepatoma cells. Southwestern (DNA-protein) blot analysis of nuclear proteins of rat liver and hepatoma cells revealed the presence of a heat-labile nuclear factor (NF-AB). NF-AB migrated as a basic protein with an apparent molecular mass of 37 kDa and bound specifically to the DNA sequence at positions 10 to 37 of the AB fragment. The NF-AB binding activity was detected neither in the cytoplasmic fraction of rat hepatoma cells nor in nuclear extracts from control or acute-phase rat kidney. The binding activity of NF-AB correlated with the transcriptional activity of the endogenous AGP gene in rat liver and hepatoma cells. Nuclear extract from human HepG2 cells showed a similar binding activity with an apparent molecular mass of 34.5 kDa. The human NF-AB binding activity was detectable only after 13 h of cytokine treatment and was not induced by phorbol ester. Tissue distribution, DNA sequence binding specificity, and kinetics of cytokine induction of NF-AB do not coincide with the characteristics of any other described factors that have been associated with cytokine regulation. Therefore, NF-AB is considered a new candidate involved in IL-1 regulation of the rat AGP gene.

NF-AB, a Liver-Specific and Cytokine-Inducible Nuclear Factor That Interacts with the Interleukin-1 Response Element of the Rat α1-Acid Glycoprotein Gene

The 142-bp cytokine response element of the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) gene is a complex of several additively contributing regulatory sequences. By using deletions and point mutations, a minimal interleukin-1 (IL-1) response element was localized to the region from positions 1 to 36 within the 5'-most AB fragment of the cytokine response element. Two distinct sequence motifs were contained within this element, both of which were required to achieve full IL-1 response in rat and human hepatoma cells. This element showed a minor response to phorbol ester treatment only in human hepatoma cells. Southwestern (DNA-protein) blot analysis of nuclear proteins of rat liver and hepatoma cells revealed the presence of a heat-labile nuclear factor (NF-AB). NF-AB migrated as a basic protein with an apparent molecular mass of 37 kDa and bound specifically to the DNA sequence at positions 10 to 37 of the AB fragment. The NF-AB binding activity was detected neither in the cytoplasmic fraction of rat hepatoma cells nor in nuclear extracts from control or acute-phase rat kidney. The binding activity of NF-AB correlated with the transcriptional activity of the endogenous AGP gene in rat liver and hepatoma cells. Nuclear extract from human HepG2 cells showed a similar binding activity with an apparent molecular mass of 34.5 kDa. The human NF-AB binding activity was detectable only after 13 h of cytokine treatment and was not induced by phorbol ester. Tissue distribution, DNA sequence binding specificity, and kinetics of cytokine induction of NF-AB do not coincide with the characteristics of any other described factors that have been associated with cytokine regulation. Therefore, NF-AB is considered a new candidate involved in IL-1 regulation of the rat AGP gene.

Differential expression of the mouse α 1-acid glycoprotein genes (AGP-1 and AGP-2) during inflammation and aging

In this study we investigated the expression of the Balb/c mouse alpha 1-acid glycoprotein genes. Mice, like humans, have two distinct alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNAs. As in humans and rats, mouse alpha 1-acid glycoprotein is a strong acute-phase reactant and its expression can be induced by acute-phase stimulatory agents such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides. Southern analysis and partial sequencing of different alpha 1-acid glycoprotein genomic clones indicated the existence of three distinct alpha 1-acid glycoprotein genes in the Balb/c genome. Using oligonucleotide hybridization, we showed that two of the three genes were expressed while the third gene was either not expressed or expressed at extremely low levels. The mRNA levels for the two expressed genes, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein-1 and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein-2, were both induced during the acute-phase response. However, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein-2 mRNA was present in at least 10-fold higher levels in both induced and uninduced mice. There were also differences in the developmental patterns of the two mRNAs in that the constitutive alpha 1-acid glycoprotein-1 mRNA levels increased 20-fold between 2 and 7 months, while alpha 1-acid glycoprotein-2 mRNA pools remained constant. During the acute-phase response in aged animals, there was an increase in the time required for both mRNAs to respond, and the maximum induced level of both mRNAs decreased. These studies set the stage for future experiments to determine the mechanisms by which the different alpha 1-acid glycoprotein genes are regulated during the acute-phase response and how aging affects these regulatory processes.

Identification of two distinct nuclear factors with DNA binding activity within the glucocorticoid regulatory region of the rat alpha-1-acid glycoprotein promoter

Efficient glucocorticoid induction of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) mRNA in rat hepatoma cells HTC (JZ-1) requires the activity of one or more preexisting and labile proteins acting cooperatively with the glucocorticoid receptor. Inhibiting protein synthesis markedly diminishes the glucocorticoid induction of rat AGP mRNA without affecting the inducibility of other glucocorticoid inducible genes such as the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) or tyrosine amino transferase (TAT). The sequences responsible for conferring glucocorticoid inducibility to the rat AGP gene have localized on the AGP promoter between nucleotides −121 and −42. A typical glucocorticoid regulatory element (GRE) is found between residues −121 and −105 and downstream of this are the sequences (−90 to −42) responsible for the cycloheximide inhibition of the hormonal induction (10). Using mobility shift assays we have characterized the binding of two proteins or complexes of proteins to this promoter region (−90 to −64). Our data show that the binding of these factors (called ANF-1 and ANF-2) to the DNA is highly specific, and is not directly affected by cycloheximide. Furthermore a second binding site for ANF-2 has been localized in the AGP regulatory region to a sequence that overlaps the GRE.

Interaction of cytokine- and glucocorticoid-response elements of acute-phase plasma protein genes. Importance of glucocorticoid receptor level and cell type for regulation of the elements from rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and beta-fibrinogen genes.

Dexamethasone increased the transscriptional activity of several acute-phase plasma protein genes in cytokine-treated HepG2 cells, suggesting the presence of functional glucocorticoid receptors (GR). The level of GR was, however, insufficient for stimulation of transiently transfected gene constructs containing glucocorticoid-response elements (GRE). By complementation of HepG2 cells with a GR expression vector, a cell system was generated that allowed analysis of the interaction between GRE and cytokine-response elements of the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene and identification of the principal regulatory elements of the rat beta-fibrinogen gene. Although the expression of plasmid-derived GR mRNA was reduced by dexamethasone treatment, the concentration of GR was sufficient for full, short-term stimulation of GRE-containing vectors. By comparing the pattern of regulation of the cloned GRES in HepG2 and mouse L-cells, an equivalent, cell-type independent dexamethasone response was monitored for the alpha 1-acid glycoprotein element but a response limited to HepG2 cells was found for the beta-fibrinogen element. The data indicate that, although substantial differences exist in the organization and composition of the regulatory elements of the two genes, the overall function is, nevertheless, remarkably similar.

Molecular Cloning of a Transcription Factor, AGP/EBP, That Belongs to Members of the C/EBP Family

A C/EBP-like transcription factor, AGP/EBP, that binds to three distinct motifs in the 5'-flanking region of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene (AGP) has been identified. Here we report the cloning and properties of cDNA corresponding to mouse AGP/EBP. AGP/EBP and C/EBP share 87% amino acid sequence homology in the "leucine zipper" and its associated DNA-binding domains, while their sequences outside these domains and the sizes of their mRNAs are different. Unlike the limited expression of C/EBP in tissues and cells, AGP/EBP appears to be ubiquitously expressed in tissues like lung, spleen, kidney, heart, testis, and liver and cell lines like p388D1, 129P (hepatoma cell line of C3H/HeJ), FO (mouse myeloma), and L929. Antibody against cloned and expressed AGP/EBP which was raised in rabbits could recognize AGP/EBP from nuclear extract of a number of cells and tissues. On the basis of our findings about the structural relationship and the similarity of motif recognition, we propose that a family of C/EBP-like transcription factors exists.

Molecular cloning of a transcription factor, AGP/EBP, that belongs to members of the C/EBP family.

A C/EBP-like transcription factor, AGP/EBP, that binds to three distinct motifs in the 5'-flanking region of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene (AGP) has been identified. Here we report the cloning and properties of cDNA corresponding to mouse AGP/EBP. AGP/EBP and C/EBP share 87% amino acid sequence homology in the "leucine zipper" and its associated DNA-binding domains, while their sequences outside these domains and the sizes of their mRNAs are different. Unlike the limited expression of C/EBP in tissues and cells, AGP/EBP appears to be ubiquitously expressed in tissues like lung, spleen, kidney, heart, testis, and liver and cell lines like p388D1, 129P (hepatoma cell line of C3H/HeJ), FO (mouse myeloma), and L929. Antibody against cloned and expressed AGP/EBP which was raised in rabbits could recognize AGP/EBP from nuclear extract of a number of cells and tissues. On the basis of our findings about the structural relationship and the similarity of motif recognition, we propose that a family of C/EBP-like transcription factors exists.

Transcriptional control of the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene.

Dexamethasone strongly stimulates the production of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) in rat liver. The regulated expression of AGP in cultured liver cells has been variably ascribed to the activation of AGP gene transcription, to change in the nuclear processing of AGP gene transcripts, or to both. Treatment of HTC cells with dexamethasone proportionally enhanced the rate of AGP gene transcription and the concentration of AGP mRNA. To assess whether hormone treatment is indeed capable of affecting posttranscriptionally the level of rat AGP mRNA, a hormone-independent expression vector containing the rat AGP gene was transiently introduced into HepG2 cells. None of the hormone combinations known to modulate expression of the endogenous AGP influenced the steady-state concentration of mature mRNA that was derived from the transgene. Hence, the existence of a hormone-sensitive posttranscriptional regulatory pathway for rat AGP gene expression could not be substantiated.

The cytokine response element of the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene is a complex of several interacting regulatory sequences.

Expression of the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene is stimulated by interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and is synergistically enhanced by the combination of the two. The distal regulatory element (DRE), a 142-base-pair (bp) sequence located 5 kilobase pairs upstream of the transcriptional start site, appears to be crucial for this cytokine response. The cytokine-specific regulatory sequences within the DRE have been identified by inserting individual DRE subregions, selected combinations of these, or a few linker mutated fragments into a plasmid containing an enhancerless simian virus 40 promoter linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. The regulatory activity was determined in transiently transfected human and rat hepatoma cells. The IL-1 response region was confined to the 5'-most 62 bp of the DRE, and its function seemed to depend on at least two separate components. The same region was also responsive to phorbol ester treatment. The IL-6 regulatory function was dependent on a 54-bp sequence located within the 3' half of the DRE. When the IL-1 response region was recombined with the IL-6 regulatory region of the DRE or with IL-6 response elements of other plasma protein genes, a strong cooperative action by IL-1 and IL-6 was achieved. The functional DRE sequences were recognized by nuclear proteins extracted from rat liver and hepatoma cells. However, no cytokine-inducible binding activity was detectable, which suggests that transcriptional regulation through the DRE might be controlled by posttranslational modification of constitutively bound trans-acting factors.

The Cytokine Response Element of the Rat α1-Acid Glycoprotein Gene Is a Complex of Several Interacting Regulatory Sequences

Expression of the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene is stimulated by interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and is synergistically enhanced by the combination of the two. The distal regulatory element (DRE), a 142-base-pair (bp) sequence located 5 kilobase pairs upstream of the transcriptional start site, appears to be crucial for this cytokine response. The cytokine-specific regulatory sequences within the DRE have been identified by inserting individual DRE subregions, selected combinations of these, or a few linker mutated fragments into a plasmid containing an enhancerless simian virus 40 promoter linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. The regulatory activity was determined in transiently transfected human and rat hepatoma cells. The IL-1 response region was confined to the 5'-most 62 bp of the DRE, and its function seemed to depend on at least two separate components. The same region was also responsive to phorbol ester treatment. The IL-6 regulatory function was dependent on a 54-bp sequence located within the 3' half of the DRE. When the IL-1 response region was recombined with the IL-6 regulatory region of the DRE or with IL-6 response elements of other plasma protein genes, a strong cooperative action by IL-1 and IL-6 was achieved. The functional DRE sequences were recognized by nuclear proteins extracted from rat liver and hepatoma cells. However, no cytokine-inducible binding activity was detectable, which suggests that transcriptional regulation through the DRE might be controlled by posttranslational modification of constitutively bound trans-acting factors.

Molecular characterization and acute phase expression of the multiple Mus caroli alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) genes. Differences in glucocorticoid stimulation and regulatory elements between the rat and mouse AGP genes.

In this study, we have analyzed alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) production in the wild mouse strain Mus caroli to assess whether the stimulation of AGP by inflammatory mediators has been conserved during rodent evolution and to determine what DNA elements manifested the hormonal induction in mouse AGP gene sequences. To this end, we isolated the M. caroli AGP genes and characterized their expression. Southern blot hybridization of M. caroli genomic DNA revealed the existence of approximately eight genes per haploid genome, and eight distinct genes were identified from a M. caroli lambda genomic DNA library. Two actively transcribed and acute phase-regulated genes (AGP genes 1 and 8) were identified by sequence correlation with the two different cDNAs isolated from an acute phase liver cDNA library. Two-dimensional gel analysis of in vitro transcription and translation products from these two cDNAs displayed a pattern of protein precursors identical with that shown by in vitro translation of the endogenous AGP mRNA. A glucocorticoid-responsive element (GRE) in M. caroli AGP gene 8 was localized to a unique sequence distal to the relative position of the rat AGP gene GRE. The mouse region analogous to the rat GRE did not show glucocorticoid-mediated induction of an indicator gene although greater than 90% sequence similarity is maintained. GRE function in this mouse region was improved by introducing a point mutation that restores the rat AGP GRE consensus sequence, although the relative induction obtained was less than the wild-type rat AGP GRE.

Structure and negative transcriptional regulation by glucocorticoids of the acute-phase rat .alpha.1-inhibitor III gene

DNA clones representing the negative acute-phase gene coding for the plasma proteinase inhibitor alpha 1-inhibitor III were isolated from a rat genomic library. Structural analysis established the existence of at least four different members of the alpha 1-inhibitor III gene family. Partial DNA sequence analysis of the 5'-terminal regions was performed for the alpha 1-inhibitor III gene and the related alpha 1-inhibitor IV gene. The transcription start site of the alpha 1-inhibitor III gene was located by S1 mapping and primer extension. No stable alpha 1-inhibitor IV mRNA was detected in rat liver. In an experimentally induced acute-phase reaction, the transcription rate of the alpha 1-inhibitor III gene was reduced 12.7-fold at 6 h after stimulation. Four hours after injection of a high dose of dexamethasone into rats, the transcription rate of this gene was reduced 9-fold. Thus, glucocorticoids alone are capable of causing a strong transient down-regulation of the transcription of this gene in rats, independent of other inflammatory mediators. An inverted consensus glucocorticoid responsive element (5'GGACACAATAT3') shared with the glucocorticoid-regulated alpha 1-fetoprotein, alpha 2u-globulin, and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein genes was detected by computer-assisted sequence analysis in the promoter proximal 5'-flanking region of the alpha 1-inhibitor III gene.

Sequences downstream of the glucocorticoid regulatory element mediate cycloheximide inhibition of steroid induced expression from the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein promoter: evidence for a labile transcription factor.

The glucocorticoid induction of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) RNA in rat hepatoma cells is diminished by inhibiting protein synthesis. We now show that the AGP 5'-flanking region contains a DNA sequence (position -121 to -107), exhibiting a high degree of homology to the glucocorticoid regulatory element (GRE) consensus sequence ACAXXXTGTTCT, which serves to specifically bind purified rat glucocorticoid receptor in vitro. A 15 base pair oligonucleotide representing the AGP GRE confers glucocorticoid responsiveness on a heterologous promoter; such regulation is not diminished by concurrent inhibition of protein synthesis. However, inclusion of the AGP sequences immediately downstream of the AGP GRE (position -106 to -42) renders the hormonal induction sensitive to inhibition of protein synthesis. Furthermore, inclusion of these downstream sequences results in a more pronounced induction mediated by the AGP GRE. In vitro DNase-1 treatment using nuclear extracts prepared from HTC hepatoma cells generate footprints that indicate the presence of DNA-protein interactions spanning the region from -110 to -68 of the AGP gene. We propose that one or more labile factors acting within this domain, immediately downstream of the GRE, is required for efficient transcription at the AGP promoter.

Phorbol ester modulates interleukin 6- and interleukin 1-regulated expression of acute phase plasma proteins in hepatoma cells.

Interleukin 6 (IL 6) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) regulate the expression of acute phase plasma proteins in rat and human hepatoma cells. Phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), partially mimics the stimulatory effect of IL-6 but reduces that effect of IL-1. TPA and IL-6 act synergistically. These regulatory properties of TPA are also manifested in HepG2 cells transiently transfected with an indicator gene construct carrying the IL-1/IL-6 regulatory enhancer element of the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene. IL-6 and IL-1 act independently of TPA-inducible kinase C, and of changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. However, prolonged pretreatment of HepG2 cells with TPA results in a drastically reduced cytokine response that is proportional to the loss of cell surface binding activity for the cytokine. These data suggest that hormones activating protein kinase C probably play a contributing role in stimulating the expression of acute phase plasma protein genes but they may be crucial in controlling the responsiveness of liver cells to inflammatory cytokines during subsequent stages of the hepatic acute phase reaction.

Expression of human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein genes in cultured cells and in transgenic mice.

The human genome contains three alpha 1-glycoprotein genes (AGP-A, AGP-B, and AGP-B') encoding for slightly different forms of the protein. The major component of human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein found in plasma is coded by AGP-A, which is expressed in liver and in hepatoma cell lines and is induced by inflammatory stimuli. We have studied the regulation of the cloned AGP-A gene by transfection into cell lines of hepatic and nonhepatic origin. Unlike any other liver-specific gene investigated so far, every AGP construct tested was expressed with comparable efficiency in hepatoma and HeLa cells. In contrast, identical constructs in transgenic mice are expressed in a tissue-specific manner and are regulated by acute-phase stimuli. Transgenic mice carrying the cluster of three AGP genes secrete the human protein in the serum, and the corresponding mRNA is mainly derived from the AGP-A gene. The mRNA is liver specific, and its concentration increases several fold following experimentally induced inflammation. Additional transgenic lines carrying only the AGP-A gene showed that sufficient information for tissue-specific and regulated expression is contained within a 6.6-kb segment comprising the whole coding region plus 1.2-kb 5'-flanking and 2-kb 3'-flanking DNA.

Hepatocyte-Stimulating Factor, β2 Interferon, and Interleukin-1 Enhance Expression of the Rat α1-Acid Glycoprotein Gene via a Distal Upstream Regulatory Region

The rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) gene is transcriptionally regulated by dexamethasone, interleukin 1 (IL-1), hepatocyte-stimulating factor, and beta 2 interferon. The steroid and peptide hormones stimulate expression of the AGP gene synergistically as well as independently. The regulatory sequence responsible for dexamethasone-stimulated expression has been localized previously to a region that is 120 to 64 base pairs (bp) upstream of the transcription start site (H. Baumann and L. E. Maquat, Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:2551-2561, 1986). To identify the regulatory sequence that is responsive to the peptide hormones, different lengths of the AGP gene 5'-flanking DNA were linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene and then assayed for hormone-inducible chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene expression in transiently transfected HepG2 cells. We demonstrate that an enhancer region that is responsive to IL-1, hepatocyte-stimulating factor, and beta 2 interferon lies within a 142-bp sequence located 5,300 to 5,150 bp upstream of the transcription start site. This distal regulatory region can confer hormone inducibility to a heterologous promoter; exert its affect in either orientation; and function, to a lesser degree, in nonhepatic but IL-1-responsive cells.

Hepatocyte-stimulating factor, beta 2 interferon, and interleukin-1 enhance expression of the rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene via a distal upstream regulatory region.

The rat alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) gene is transcriptionally regulated by dexamethasone, interleukin 1 (IL-1), hepatocyte-stimulating factor, and beta 2 interferon. The steroid and peptide hormones stimulate expression of the AGP gene synergistically as well as independently. The regulatory sequence responsible for dexamethasone-stimulated expression has been localized previously to a region that is 120 to 64 base pairs (bp) upstream of the transcription start site (H. Baumann and L. E. Maquat, Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:2551-2561, 1986). To identify the regulatory sequence that is responsive to the peptide hormones, different lengths of the AGP gene 5'-flanking DNA were linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene and then assayed for hormone-inducible chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene expression in transiently transfected HepG2 cells. We demonstrate that an enhancer region that is responsive to IL-1, hepatocyte-stimulating factor, and beta 2 interferon lies within a 142-bp sequence located 5,300 to 5,150 bp upstream of the transcription start site. This distal regulatory region can confer hormone inducibility to a heterologous promoter; exert its affect in either orientation; and function, to a lesser degree, in nonhepatic but IL-1-responsive cells.