Transforming growth factor beta 1 and cAMP inhibit transcription of epidermal growth factor- and oncogene-induced transin RNA.

Transin mRNA encodes a secreted metalloprotease which is transcriptionally induced in Rat-1 cells by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and a number of oncogenes. A role for transin in tumor progression is suggested by its overexpression in malignant and metastatic tumors compared to their benign counterparts. In an effort to elucidate mechanisms by which elevated transin expression may be inhibited, it has been determined that both transforming growth factor type beta 1 (TGF beta 1) and increased levels of intracellular cyclic 5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) inhibit EGF and oncogene induction of transin mRNA. The inhibition of transin mRNA occurred at the level of transcription as demonstrated by nuclear run-on assays. EGF binding studies in Rat-1 cells showed no significant effect of cAMP or TGF beta 1 on EGF receptor number or affinity. We have also examined the effects of cAMP and TGF beta 1 on oncogene-induced transin using Rat-1 cells transformed by temperature-sensitive mutants of v-src and K-ras oncogenes. Both inhibitors prevented the induction of transin RNA as well as decreased the levels of transin once elevated at the permissive temperature. Despite the similarities in the actions of TGF beta 1 and cAMP on transin gene expression, TGF beta 1 treatment did not significantly elevate intracellular cAMP levels, thus making it unlikely that cAMP is a second messenger system for TGF beta 1 action. These studies suggest that the inhibitory effects of cAMP and TGF beta 1 occur by distinct pathways at the level of gene regulation.