Differential Regulation by Glucocorticoids of Mouse Proα2(I) and Proα1(III) DNA-Binding Proteins

Multiple procollagen-specific DNA-binding proteins were identified for the α2(I) and the αl(III) procollagen promotor containing gene fragments. The proteins are genespecific, differing in their relative molecular weights and relative binding specificities. A major finding was the increased DNA-binding with specificity for the procollagen promoter containing DNAs by several nonhistone nuclear proteins in mouse embryo fibroblasts treated with dexamethasone. The previously reported coordinate decrease of type I and type III procollagens by glucocorticoids may involve differential regulation by glucocorticoids of procollagen gene specific DNA-binding proteins.