Fos is required for EGF stimulation of the gastrin promoter

The role of Fos protein in the induction of gastrin promoter activity during inflammation was analyzed by utilizing GH4 rat pituitary cell lines for the expression of a gastrin reporter construct. Northern blot analysis of c-fos gene expression in GH4 cell lines indicated the epidermal growth factor in mediating the activity of the gastrin promoter. Activation of the gastrin gene also increased the expression of the c-fos gene and Fos protein levels.