Transcriptional regulation of angiogenesis-related puromycin-insensitive leucyl-specific aminopeptidase in endothelial cells

Puromycin-insensitive leucyl-specific aminopeptidase (PILSAP) was expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) and played an important role in angiogenesis. Here, we characterized its transcriptional regulation. Mouse PILSAP gene contained 19 exons and located in the chromosome 13C1–C2. We identified two transcripts; one transcribed from exon 1 and the other from exon 2. Mouse ECs expressed dominantly the one from exon 1. The promoter analysis using 5′ upstream region of exon 1 revealed that −1868 to −1812 was critical for its transcription in mouse ECs. We identified a motif of the transcription factor PEBP2 in this region, and the deletion or mutation of this motif decreased promoter activity. Protein extracted from mouse ECs bound specifically to this motif. AML1/Runx1/PEBP2αB increased PILSAP mRNA in mouse ECs, whereas dominant interfering chimerical PEBP2β-MYH11 decreased it. These results indicate that the expression of PILSAP in mouse ECs is regulated, at least in part, by PEBP2.