REGULATION OF NA+-COUPLED GLUCOSE-TRANSPORT IN LLC-PK1 CELLS - MESSAGE STABILIZATION INDUCED BY CYCLIC-AMP ELEVATION IS ACCOMPANIED BY BINDING OF A M(R)=48,000 PROTEIN TO A URIDINE-RICH DOMAIN IN THE 3'-UNTRANSLATED REGION

In an exploration of the molecular basis of cyclic AMP-induced stabilization of Na+/glucose cotransporter mRNA (SGLT1 isoform) accompanying cell differentiation in the pig kidney cell line LLC-PK1, we have identified a 48-kDa cytoplasmic protein factor, designated SG-URBP, which specifically binds a 120-nucleotide sequence within the 3'-untranslated region of the SGLT1 message. A 46-nucleotide uridine-rich element within this region appears necessary for specific binding, and the presence of the 3'-untranslated region is necessary for message stabilization by cyclic AMP. The binding activity of SG-URBP is up-regulated after cyclic AMP elevation and protein kinase A activation, whereas protein dephosphorylation either in vivo or in vitro is associated with loss of binding activity. The increase in SG-URBP binding activity correlates with an increase in the half-life of the SGLT1 message, suggesting a cause and effect relationship.