The novel gene AngRem104 downregulates glucocorticoid receptor expression and activates NF-κB in human mesangial cells

AngRem104 [angiotensin II (Ang II)-related genes in human mesangial cells (MCs), clone104], a novel gene in human MCs induced by Ang II, was previously identified in human MCs and found to interact with several proteins. The current study used a yeast two-hybrid system and co-immunoprecipitation to investigate the interaction between AngRem104 and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) AF-1-specific elongation factor (GR-EF). GR expression was downregulated and the number of MCs positive for activated nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) was increased when AngRem104 was overexpressed. Transfection with antisense AngRem104 vector resulted in the upregulation of GR protein and reduced numbers of MCs with activated NF-κB. These results indicate that the novel gene AngRem104 is involved in the in vivo regulation of GR expression and the activation of NF-κB through interaction with GR-EF in human MCs.