Serum response factor regulates expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog through a microRNA network in vascular smooth muscle cells.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Serum response factor (SRF) is a critical transcription factor in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) controlling differentiation and proliferation. Our previous work demonstrated that depleting SRF in cultured SMCs decreased expression of SMC markers but increased proliferation and inflammatory mediators. A similar phenotype has been observed in SMCs silenced for phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), suggesting that SRF and PTEN may lie on a common pathway. Our goal was to determine the effect of SRF depletion on PTEN levels and define mechanisms mediating this effect.

Methods and results

In SRF-silenced SMCs, PTEN protein levels but not mRNA levels were decreased, suggesting posttranscriptional regulation. Reintroduction of PTEN into SRF-depleted SMCs reversed increases

SUBMITTER: Horita HN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3220738 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature