IL-1beta stabilizes COX II mRNA in renal mesangial cells: role of 3'-untranslated region

Gel mobility shift assays of renal mesangial cells containing interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) reveal that IL-1beta mediates the posttranscriptional regulation of the prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase II (COX II) mRNA levels in the cells. The 3'-unsaturated region (3'-UNTR) of the COX II gene regulates the posttranscriptional response of COX II mRNA to IL-1beta levels. Two cytosolic transacting factors of 45 and 65 kDa exhibit specific binding to 3'-UNTR in a phosphorylation-dependent manner to stabilize the COX II mRNA level expression.