Signal transduction pathways responsible for serotonin-mediated prostaglandin G/H synthase expression in rat mesangial cells.

Prostaglandin G/H synthase (PGHS) is one of the key enzymes in prostaglandin synthesis. Regulation of the mRNA expression of the two isozymes PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 was investigated in mesangial cells. PGHS-1 was constitutively expressed and not modulated by any of the stimuli used. PGHS-2 was induced by the platelet products serotonin (5-HT) and thromboxane A2 (used as its analogue U46619), but not by ATP. Expression of PGHS protein was regulated correspondingly; whereas PGHS-1 protein was constitutively expressed, PGHS-2 protein was virtually absent in unstimulated cells, but could increasingly be induced by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), 5-HT, or fetal calf serum. Induction of PGHS-2 mRNA was transient with a peak after 2-3 h. Stimulated mRNA levels persisted for more than 6 h when transcription was inhibited by actinomycin D or when translation was inhibited by cycloheximide. As shown by specific inhibitors, 5-HT signal transduction was mediated by 5-HT2 receptors, which couple to phospholipase C via pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins. Induction of PGHS-2 mRNA by 5-HT was dependent on protein kinase C. Down-regulation of the enzyme by prolonged incubation with TPA abolished 5-HT-induced PGHS-2 mRNA expression. Short time activation of protein kinase C by TPA induced PGHS-2 mRNA expression. On the other hand, TPA given immediately before 5-HT decreased the 5-HT-induced PGHS-2 mRNA expression, indicating a negative feedback. The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A reduced induction of PGHS-2 mRNA expression by 5-HT, indicating interference with the signaling cascade, most likely with the Ser/Thr phosphatase calcineurin. Involvement of Tyr phosphorylation in 5-HT signaling was shown by the Tyr kinase inhibitor genistein, which inhibited the induction, while the Tyr phosphatase inhibitor vanadate by itself was able to induce PGHS-2 mRNA expression, which was further augmented when vanadate was combined with 5-HT. PGHS-2 mRNA expression is thus tightly regulated in mesangial cells and therefore allows modulation at various levels by physiological and pharmacological stimuli.