Overexpression of c-Fos enhances the transcription of human arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase in A431 cells

The effect of transient transfection with expression vector of c-Fos on the expression of 12-lipoxygenase in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells was studied. Overexpression of c-Fos increased the expression of 12-lipoxygenase mRNA and enzyme activity, and also activated the promoter activity of 12-lipoxygenase gene in a dose-dependent manner. Co-transfection with c-Fos and c-Jun expression vectors in cells synergistically increased the promoter activity of 12-lipoxygenase. With the aid of additional 5'-deletion and site-directed mutagenesis, the downstream and middle Sp1 sites residing at -123 to -114 bp and -158 to -150 bp were found to be critical for the c-Fos response of activating the transcription of human 12-lipoxygenase gene. Furthermore, the specific role of Sp1 in c-Fos response was confirmed by using the reporter plasmid driven by SV40 early promoter. These results indicate that the requirement of Sp1-binding sites in the promoter region of 12-lipoxygenase gene for c-Fos response is similar to that previously observed in EGF response.