The beta(2) subunit of nitric oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclase is developmentally regulated in rat kidney

We have recently shown that nitric oxide activates the beta (2) subunit of soluble guanylyl cyclase. In the present study, we show developmental regul ation of this subunit. Analysis of mRNA expression by RT-PCR and RNase prot ection analysis in kidneys revealed no expression of the beta (2) subunit i n neonatal and strong expression in adult rats. A reciprocal regulation wit h much lower expression levels was observed in rat lung. Further examinatio n of kidneys from 3, 6, 16, 22, 25, 31 and 36-day-old rats showed that sign ificant expression appears between postnatal day 16 and 22. Isolation of th e rat beta (2) promoter by genome walking and cloning into a reporter gene vector showed promoter activity for the sense but not the antisense constru ct providing an in vitro assay for further analysis of the developmental be ta (2) subunit regulation.