Inducible platelet-derived growth factor D-chain expression by angiotensin II and hydrogen peroxide involves transcriptional regulation by Ets-1 and Sp1.

Platelet-derived growth factor D-chain (PDGF-D) is the newest member of the PDGF family of mitogens and chemoattractants expressed in a wide variety of cell types, including vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The molecular mechanisms regulating PDGF-D transcription are not known. Primer extension analysis mapped a single transcriptional start site to the ccAGCGC motif with several potential Ets motifs located upstream. Ets-1, but not Ets-1 bearing only the DNA-binding domain, activates the PDGF-D promoter and mRNA expression in SMCs. Ets site D3 ((-470)GGAT(-467)) is singly required for basal and Ets-1-inducible PDGF-D promoter-dependent expression. D3 supports the interaction of endogenous and recombinant Ets-1 and Sp1. Sp1, like Ets-1, induces PDGF-D transcription and mRNA expression, which is blocked by mutant Ets-1. H2O2 stimulates Ets-1, but not Sp1, and activates D3-dependent PDGF-D transcription. Ets-1 and Sp1 siRNA block peroxide-inducible PDGF-D expression. Angiotensin II (ATII) induction of PDGF-D and Ets-1 was blocked by prior incubation of the cells with PEG-catalase, but not BSA, indicating that ATII-inducible Ets-1 and PDGF-D expression is mediated via H2O2. Thus, 2 separate trans-acting factors regulate PDGF-D transcription, alone and in response to oxidative stress.