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Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent inhibitor of skeletal muscle differentiation, but the molecular mechanism and signaling events that lead to this inhibition are poorly characterized. Here we show that the TGF-beta intracellular effector Smad3, but not Smad2, mediates the inhibition of myogenic differentiation in MyoD-expressing C3H10T1/2 cells and C2C12 myoblasts by repressing the activity of the MyoD family of transcriptional factors. The Smad3-mediated repression was directed at the E-box sequence motif within muscle gene enhancers and the bHLH region of MyoD, the domain required for its association with E-protein partners such as E12 and E47. The repression could be overcome by supplying an excess of E12, and covalent tethering of E47 to MyoD rendered the E-box-dependent transcriptional activity refractory to the effects of Smad3 and TGF-beta. Smad3 physically interacted with the HLH domain of MyoD, and this interaction correlated with the ability of Smad3 to interfere with MyoD/E protein heterodimerization and binding of MyoD complexes to oligomerized E-box sites. Together, these results reveal a model for how TGF-beta, through Smad3-mediated transcriptional repression, inhibits myogenic differentiation.

Smads are intracellular proteins that act as central effectors for transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and related proteins from the activated receptor into the nucleus, where they regulate ligand-induced gene expression. AP-1 binding sites have been functionally linked to the transcriptional activation of various genes in response to TGF-beta. Accordingly, we have previously shown that the heteromeric complex of Smad3 and Smad4 synergizes with c-Jun/c-Fos at the AP-1 binding site of the collagenase I promoter to induce transcriptional activation in response to TGF-beta. Using the collagenase I promoter as model system, we have now investigated the role of the c-Jun and Smad3 interactions with the promoter DNA and have further characterized the physical basis of the c-Jun/Smad3 interaction in the transcriptional response. Mutational analyses of the c-Jun protein and the AP-1 binding site in the promoter revealed that the interaction of c-Jun with DNA is necessary for transcriptional activation by TGF-beta and Smad3. Similar analyses of Smad3 and the Smad binding sites revealed that binding of Smad3 to DNA is also required, but that its DNA sequence-specific recognition is not essential. We also found that the basic leucine zipper domain of c-Jun and a short sequence close to the N terminus of Smad3 mediate their physical interaction, and that these regions are critical for their DNA-binding function. Our studies provide a basis for understanding the functional cooperativity of Smads with the diversity of transcription factors, which underlies the Smad-induced transcriptional activation in response to TGF-beta and related factors.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent inducer of apoptosis in B-lymphocytes and is essential for immune regulation and maintenance of self-tolerance. Here we show that concomitant signaling through CD40 sustains proliferation and rescues the premature B cell line WEHI 231 from both TGF-beta-induced and anti-IgM-induced apoptosis. The anti-apoptotic effect of CD40 is associated with the transcriptional activation of the inhibitory Smad7 protein. The transactivation of Smad7 by CD40 is NFkappaB-dependent in that pharmacological inhibitors of this pathway, N-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, abrogate CD40-induced Smad7 expression. Ectopic overexpression of Smad7 inhibited Smad2 activation, TGF-beta-mediated growth inhibition, and apoptosis in WEHI 231 cells. Consistent with this result, dominant negative interference with Smad2 and Smad3 function also inhibited TGF-beta-induced apoptosis. The inhibitory effects of Smad7 overexpression were specific to TGF-beta-induced apoptosis and were without effect on anti-IgM-induced cell death. These results suggest a mechanism of suppression of TGF-beta-induced apoptosis by CD40, mediated through activation of NF-kappaB and, consequently, induction of Smad7 expression.

A new type of TGF‐beta, TGF‐beta 3, has been identified by cDNA characterization. The amino acid sequence of mature TGF‐beta 3 and its precursor has been derived from porcine and human cDNA sequences. The human TGF‐beta 3 gene is spread over seven exons as in the case of the TGF‐beta 1 gene. Comparison with TGF‐beta 1 and ‐beta 2 indicates a strong conservation of the mature sequences, but a relaxed homology in the precursor segments. TGF‐beta 3 mRNA is mainly expressed in cell lines from mesenchymal origin, suggesting a biological role different from the other TGFs‐beta.

Melanoma growth stimulatory activity factor (MGSA) is a polypeptide which was initially isolated from Hs294 human melanoma cells. Its sequence is identical to the deduced amino acid sequence of the human gro cDNA, isolated from a human tumor cell line. MGSA stimulates the proliferation of malignant melanoma cells, but its function for normal cells has not been defined. Here we report that human umbilical vein endothelial cells are capable of synthesizing and secreting MGSA. The expression and secretion of MGSA are strongly induced by factors often involved in inflammation such as IL‐1, TNF, LPS and thrombin. The induction of MGSA mRNA is dose and time dependent and is independent of new protein synthesis. This stimulation could be mimicked by TPA, suggesting that the action could be mediated through activation of protein kinase C. Furthermore, addition of MGSA to the endothelial cell cultures induces gro/MGSA gene expression, implying that an autocrine mechanism exists. Our data suggest that the protein encoded by gro/MGSA mRNA may play a role in inflammation and exert its effects on endothelial cells in an autocrine fashion.

Melanoma growth stimulatory activity (MGSA) is a mitogenic polypeptide secreted by Hs294T human melanoma cells. Comparison of the N‐terminal sequences of the 13 and 16 kd MGSA species with the cDNA sequence revealed that the mature form of human MGSA is maximally 73 amino acids long. Expression of the cDNA in mammalian cells results in the secretion of this peptide with mitogenic activity. MGSA is structurally related to the platelet‐derived beta‐thromboglobulin and to several other polypeptides. These factors may constitute a family of growth factors. MGSA mRNA was detected in a variety of cell types. The level of MGSA mRNA in melanoma cells is strongly elevated by treatment with MGSA. MGSA is the gene product of a recently detected gene gro. The gene was mapped to chromosome 4 (region q13––q21). This same region also contains genes for two of the structurally related factors, for c‐kit, a receptor for an as yet unidentified ligand, and for ‘piebald trait’, an inherited skin pigmentation disorder.

We compared the effects of epidermal growth factor-urogastrone (EGF-URO) with those of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) on regional blood flow in the anesthetized dog in vivo, and on isolated canine helical coronary artery strips in vitro. Like EGF-URO, TGF-alpha was a potent stimulator of femoral arterial blood flow in vivo; and, when added to the tissue bath in vitro before an agonist, TGF-alpha like EGF-URO was a potent inhibitor of the contractile responses of helical coronary arterial strips to various smooth muscle agonists: norepinephrine (NE), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF alpha) and potassium chloride (KCl). Nonetheless, there were marked differences between EGF-URO and TGF-alpha in terms of the two biological responses measured. In terms of blood flow, although the ED50 for the increase in blood flow was similar for EGF-URO and TGF-alpha (ED50 = 0.4 micrograms EGF-URO equivalents per dose), the maximum responsiveness to TGF-alpha (130% increase in flow) was substantially greater than the maximum response to EGF-URO (70% increase in flow). Furthermore, TGF-alpha did not cause tachyphylaxis to subsequent doses of TGF-alpha, whereas a prior dose of either EGF-URO or TGF-alpha desensitized markedly the blood flow preparations to EGF-URO. Different desensitization patterns for the actions of EGF-URO and TGF-alpha also were observed in the arterial strip preparations. The inhibitory action of EGF-URO for agonist (NE, PGF2 alpha or KCl)-mediated contraction was diminished with repeated exposure of the tissue to EGF-URO, whereas the inhibitory action of TGF-alpha persisted with repetitive tissue exposure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)