Acute phase mediators and glucocorticoids elevate alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene transcription.

Acute phase mediators and glucocorticoids increase the synthesis of the acute phase protein alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, also known as orosomucoid, by inducing the hepatic level of its mRNA. Concurrently the acute phase response depresses the hepatic synthesis of albumin and alpha 2u-globulin and their mRNA levels. Present transcriptional studies in isolated liver nuclei demonstrate that turpentine-induced acute phase mediators simultaneously enhance transcription of the alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene and diminish transcription of albumin and alpha 2u-globulin genes; parallel alterations in the hepatic level of the corresponding mRNAs ensue. The present transcriptional studies also demonstrate that administration of dexamethasone to adrenalectomized rats dramatically elevates the rate of transcription of the alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene as well as the alpha 2u-globulin and the albumin genes, leading to elevations in alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 2u-globulin hepatic mRNA levels. Thus, hepatic alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA levels are predominantly regulated in vivo at the transcriptional level by glucocorticoids as well as by acute phase mediators.