Regulation of the human Na/K-ATPase beta1 gene promoter by mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors.

Expression of the human Na/K-ATPase beta1 subunit is regulated by a mineralocorticoid- and glucocorticoid-responsive elements. Here we identified an MR and GR responsive element, at positions -650 to -630, within the beta1 gene promoter that is required for both MR and GR activation. Independent expression of MR and GR activated by aldosterone or triamcinolone acetonide (TA) leads to significant transactivation of the beta1 promoter. Yet coexpression of both receptors activated by aldosterone plus TA or cortisol results in a much lower induction, indicating that coexpression of MR and GR is inhibitory. Gel shift mobility assay using an oligonucleotide including the 21-base pair MRE/GRE with whole cell extracts prepared from CV-1 cells overexpressing MR or GR showed specific MR and GR binding to this sequence. Additionally, antibodies to both MR and GR effectively supershifted the protein-DNA complexes, indicating that these receptors bound to the DNA sequence. Finally, the 21-base pair MRE/GRE was capable of activating transcription from a heterologous promoter in response to both aldosterone and TA. Together these data indicate that the 21-base pair sequence represents a true MRE/GRE and that optimal activation of the human Na/K-ATPase beta1 promoter is controlled by mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid hormones. It appears that an interaction of MR with GR on the beta1 promoter effectively down-regulates transcription.