Ca2+-dependent Transcription Patterns in Human Cerebrovascular Smooth Muscle

Altered Ca2+ handling has both immediate physiological effects and long-term genomic effects on vascular smooth muscle function. Previously we have shown that elevation of cytoplasmic Ca2+ through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs) or store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOCCs) results in phosphorylation of the Ca2+/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in cerebral arteries. Here we demonstrate that stimulation of these different Ca2+ influx pathways results in transcriptional activation of a distinct, yet overlapping set of genes, and that the induction of selected CRE-regulated genes is prevented by the addition of corresponding Ca2+ channel blockers. Using oligonucleotide array analysis, changes in mRNA levels were quantified following membrane depolarization with K+ or depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin in human cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells. Array results for differentially regulated genes containing a CRE were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR, and corresponding changes in protein expression were shown by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. Membrane depolarization induced a transient increase in c-fos mRNA and a sustained increase in early growth response-1 (Egr-1) mRNA and protein that were inhibited by application of the VDCC blocker, nimodipine, and the SOCC inhibitor, 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate (2-APB). Thapsigargin induced a sustained increase in c-fos mRNA and MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) mRNA and protein, and these effects were decreased by 2-APB but not by nimodipine. Our findings thus indicate that Ca2+ entry through VDCCs and SOCCs can differentially regulate CRE-containing genes in vascular smooth muscle and imply that signals involved in growth modulation are both temporally and spatially regulated by Ca2+.

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Pulver-Kaste RA, Barlow CA, Bond J, Watson A, Penar PL, Tranmer B, Lounsbury KM