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Objective To exploring the mechanism of transcriptional regulation of TFAP2A on glomerulosclerosis-related gene aarF structural domain-containing kinase 4 (ADCK4) in cells and the specific binding region between TFAP2A and ADCK4. Methods Bioinformatics was used to analyze volcano map of glomerulosclerosis genes, and the relationship between ADCK4 and TFAP2A expression levels. JASPAR database was used to predict that ADCK4 gene transcription start site -464 bp/+206 bp region containing TFAP2A transcription factor binding site. TFAP2A siRNA concentrations were 5, 10 and 15 µmol/L, and the mass concentrations of TFAP2A overexpression plasmid were 50, 100 and 300 µg/L, respectively. The regulatory effect of TFAP2A on the promoter level of the ADCK4 gene was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. TFAP2A siRNA and TFAP2A overexpression plasmid were used to transfect cells. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect TFAP2A and ADCK4 mRNA expression. Protein immunoblotting assay was used to detect TFAP2A and ADCK4 protein expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was used to confirm TFAP2A binding to a specific region of the ADCK4 promoter. Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that 273 genes were up-regulated and 219 genes were down-regulated. The expression levels of ADCK4 and TFAP2A were positively correlated (P＜0.01). Dual luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that the relative luciferase activity of ADCK4 promoter was enhanced with TFAP2A siRNA concentrations of 10 and 15 µmol/L, and that the luciferase activity of ADCK4 promoter was reduced when TFAP2A overexpression plasmid mass concentrations of 100 and 300 µg/L (P < 0.05). ADCK4 mRNA and protein expression levels were increased in the TFAP2A siRNA group compared with the control siRNA group. ADCK4 mRNA and protein expression levels were decreased in the TFAP2A overexpression plasmid group compared with the pENTER plasmid group (P＜0.05). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that TFAP2A can bind to specific regions of ADCK4 promoter. Conclusion Negative regulation of ADCK4 gene expression by the transcription factor TFAP2A increases the number of transcription factor members that regulate genes important for podocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ET (endothelin) is a powerful vasoconstrictor 21-amino acid peptide present in many tissues, which exerts many physiological functions across the body and participates as a mediator in many pathological conditions. ETs exert their effects through ETA and ETB receptors, which can be blocked by selective receptor antagonists. ETs were shown to play important roles among others, in systemic hypertension, particularly when resistant or difficult to control, and in pulmonary hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, subarachnoid hemorrhage, chronic kidney disease, diabetic cardiovascular disease, scleroderma, some cancers, etc. To date, ET antagonists are only approved for the treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension and recently for IgA nephropathy and used in the treatment of digital ulcers in scleroderma. However, they may soon be approved for the treatment of patients with resistant hypertension and different types of nephropathy. Here, the role of ETs is reviewed with a special emphasis on participation in and treatment of hypertension and chronic kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]