Insulin and other growth factors induce binding of the ternary complex and a novel protein complex to the c-fos serum response element.

Rapid, transient induction of c-fos transcription follows treatment of cells with insulin and other growth factors. This is mediated through the serum response element (SRE), which binds the serum response factor (SRF), as well as accessory factors such as p62 ternary complex factor. Using a gel shift assay we found that formation of the ternary complex increased transiently within 2 min of insulin or phorbol ester treatment of several insulin-sensitive cell lines. However, mutations that prevented formation of this ternary complex did not inhibit insulin- or phorbol ester-stimulated induction of c-fos transcription in these cell lines. We also identified a novel SRF-containing multiprotein complex that forms on the SRE within 2 min following insulin, phorbol ester, or other growth factor treatment. Formation of this novel complex, called band 3, occurred rapidly and transiently, with a time course parallel to the induction of c-fos transcription. Band 3 also formed with gamma-actin and zif268/3 SRE probes. Methylation and carboxy ethylation interference analysis, as well as extensive SRE mutagenesis, suggest that only the SRF directly contacts the SRE in forming band 3. Formation of this novel complex appears to involve protein-protein interactions between SRF and other nuclear protein(s) that may play a role in growth factor stimulation of c-fos transcription.