Epidermal growth factor receptor is indispensable for c-Fos expression andprotein synthesis by angiotensin II

We have reported that angiotensin II induces the epidermal growth factor (E GF) receptor transactivation leading to extracellular signal-regulated kina se (ERK) activation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Here, we report th at the EGF receptor kinase inhibitor AG1478 and the ERK kinase inhibitor PD 98059 markedly inhibited angiotensin II-induced c-Fos expression and protei n synthesis but not c-Jun expression in these cells. These data suggest tha t the EGF receptor transactivation and subsequent ERK activation are indisp ensable for angiotensin II-mediated growth promotion of vascular smooth mus cle cells providing a new mechanistic insight whereby angiotensin II contri butes abnormal vascular remodeling. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.