ANG II-stimulated DNA synthesis is mediated by ANG II receptor-dependent Ca2+/PKC as well as EGF receptor-dependent PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K1 signal pathways in mouse embryonic stem cells

Effect of angiotensin II (ANG II) on mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell proliferation was examined. ANG II increased [H-3] thymidine incorporation in a time- (>4 h) and dose- (> 10(-9) M) dependent manner. The ANG II-induced increase in [H-3] thymidine incorporation was blocked by inhibition of ANG II type I (AT(1)) receptor but not by ANG II type 2 (AT(2)) receptor, and AT(1) receptor was expressed. ANG II increased inositol phosphates formation and [Ca2+](i), and translocated PKC alpha, delta, and zeta to the membrane fraction. Consequently, the inhibition of PLC/PKC suppressed ANG II-induced increase in [H-3] thymidine incorporation. The inhibition of EGF receptor kinase or tyrosine kinase prevented ANG II-induced increase in [H-3] thymidine incorporation. ANG II phosphorylated EGF receptor and increased Akt, mTOR, and p70S6KI phosphorylation blocked by AG 1478 (EGF receptor kinase blocker). ANG II-induced increase in [H-3] thymidine incorporation was blocked by the inhibition of p44/42 MAPKs but not by p38 MAPK inhibition. Indeed, ANG II phosphorylated p44/42 MAPKs, which was prevented by the inhibition of the PKC and AT(1) receptor. ANG II increased c-fos, c-jun, and c-myc levels. ANG II also increased the protein levels of cyclin DI, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2, and CDK4 but decreased the p21(cip1/waf1) and p27(kip1), CDK inhibitory proteins. These proteins were blocked by the inhibition of AT(1) receptor, PLC/PKC, p44/42 MAPKs, EGF receptor, or tyrosine kinase. In conclusion, ANG II-stimulated DNA synthesis is mediated by ANG II receptor-dependent Ca2+/PKC and EGF receptor-dependent PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6KI signal pathways in mouse ES cells.