Regulation of gadd153 mRNA expression by hypoxia in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.

Hypoxia causes pulmonary hypertension and induces oxygen radicals in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Since oxidative stress regulates gaddl53 expression, we examined gaddl53 mRNA in PASMCs cultured in a hypoxic environment. Gadd153 mRNA content was increased in PASMCs cultured for 24 hours in 1% oxygen. This increase was not abrogated by inhibition of protein synthesis. To explore the signaling pathways mediating hypoxic regulation of gaddl53 mRNA, the impact of calcium channel blockade by verapamil, G protein inhibition by pertussis toxin, and protein kinase C (PKC) down-regulation, was examined. Although none of these interventions reduced basal expression of gaddl53 mRNA in PASMCs, all of them suppressed the induction by hypoxia. In contrast, antioxidants had no effect. These observations indicate hypoxia induces gaddl53 expression in PASMCs through common signaling pathways.