THE HUMAN MC2-R GENE EXPRESSION: DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF ITS CONTROL

Abstract

Expression of the adrenocorticotropin receptor (MC2-R) is restricted to adrenocortical cells and is up-regulated by both adrenocorticotropin and angiotensin II through the activation of protein kinase A and protein kinase C pathways, respectively. After cloning of the promoter region of the human MC2-R gene (hMC2-R), we have shown that cyclic AMP-induced regulation of transcriptional activity of the gene is achieved through two SF1 binding elements located in the proximal promoter.

On the other hand, regulation by angiotensin II partly involved two AP1 binding sites. Using different primary cell cultures, we have also been able to delineate a region inside the promoter which is responsible for part of the tissue-specific expression of the gene.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank F. Volland for collecting bovine adrenals and ovaries, J. Bois and MA Di Carlo for secretarial assistance. M. Doghman was recipient of a fellowship from IRIS (Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier) Courbevoie, France and A. Blondet was supported by a grant from Nestlé, Marne la Vallée, France.