The long term objective is to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of human surfactant protein A (SP-A) gene expression. Towards this goal and based on current available information we propose a number of studies. Current knowledge suggests that there are two functional SP-A genes. cDNA sequences are available for both genes but genomic DNA sequence is available for only one. In this proposal we will first characterize the human SP-A locus, determine the number of genes, study their chromosomal organization, and determine their DNA sequence similarities/differences in order to assess potential similarities/differences in their regulation. Regulation of SP-A gene expression appears complex and unusual in certain regards. Knowledge obtained from the first aim will help design experiments to distinguish whether all SP-A genes are regulated similarly or whether the observed complexity is due to the fact that different SP-A genes respond differently to a given signal. Experiments in aims 2-4 comprise two groups. Since our preliminary data suggest differential regulation by glucocorticoids of SP-A genes in explant culture, in the first group of experiments (aim 2) we will study the basic mechanisms that underlie differential regulation of the SP-A genes in explants, by examining their expression in the absence of serum and hormones and by further characterizing the response to glucocorticoids. In the second group of experiments we will study molecular mechanisms that may be involved in tissue-specific and developmental stage-specific expression of SP-A genes (aim 3) as well as hormone-responsive factors that may be important for differential regulation of SP-A mRNA stability (aim 4). For this group of experiments emphasis will be placed on trans-acting factors for two major reasons. Firstly SP-A expression is tissue-specific. In preliminary experiments aimed at studying tissue-specific expression as a means of addressing SP-A gene regulation, we identified cis-acting elements that form tissue-specific and developmentally-specific DNA/protein complexes. Experiments are designed to further characterize these factors and assess their functional role in this process. Secondly, one of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of SP-A expression in response to glucocorticoids is mRNA stability and inhibitor studies suggest that a trans-acting factor is also involved in this process. Preliminary studies show differences in 3'untranslated region (3'UT) of the SP-A genes/alleles, including the presence or absence of an 11bp segment. Since elements in the 3'UT are often involved in mechanisms of mRNA stability we hypothesize that this 11bp segment provides or disrupts a binding site for a regulatory factor. Experiments in aim 4 will test this hypothesis. Information obtained from the proposed studies will provide a better definition of the SP-A locus and shed light on the molecular mechanisms of differential and tissue-specific regulation. Knowledge gained can be used to study molecular alterations in the regulation of SP-A gene expression in the disease state.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HL049823-01
Application #
3368843
Study Section
Lung Biology and Pathology Study Section (LBPA)
Project Start
1993-01-01
Project End
1997-12-31
Budget Start
1993-01-01
Budget End
1993-12-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Pennsylvania State University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
129348186
City
Hershey
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
17033
Hoover, R R; Pavlovic, J; Floros, J (2000) Induction of AP-1 binding to intron 1 of SP-A1 and SP-A2 is implicated in the phorbol ester inhibition of human SP-A promoter activity. Exp Lung Res 26:303-17
Hoover, R R; Floros, J (1999) SP-A 3'-UTR is involved in the glucocorticoid inhibition of human SP-A gene expression. Am J Physiol 276:L917-24
Hoover, R R; Thomas, K H; Floros, J (1999) Glucocorticoid inhibition of human SP-A1 promoter activity in NCI-H441 cells. Biochem J 340 ( Pt 1):69-76
Floros, J; Hoover, R R (1998) Genetics of the hydrophilic surfactant proteins A and D. Biochim Biophys Acta 1408:312-22
Hoover, R R; Floros, J (1998) Organization of the human SP-A and SP-D loci at 10q22-q23. Physical and radiation hybrid mapping reveal gene order and orientation. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 18:353-62
Karinch, A M; Deiter, G; Ballard, P L et al. (1998) Regulation of expression of human SP-A1 and SP-A2 genes in fetal lung explant culture. Biochim Biophys Acta 1398:192-202
Kala, P; Ten Have, T; Nielsen, H et al. (1998) Association of pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A) gene and respiratory distress syndrome: interaction with SP-B. Pediatr Res 43:169-77
Koptides, M; Umstead, T M; Floros, J et al. (1997) Surfactant protein A activates NF-kappa B in the THP-1 monocytic cell line. Am J Physiol 273:L382-8
Karinch, A M; deMello, D E; Floros, J (1997) Effect of genotype on the levels of surfactant protein A mRNA and on the SP-A2 splice variants in adult humans. Biochem J 321 ( Pt 1):39-47
Floros, J; DiAngelo, S; Koptides, M et al. (1996) Human SP-A locus: allele frequencies and linkage disequilibrium between the two surfactant protein A genes. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 15:489-98

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