Angiotensin II Activates Stat5 Through Jak2 Kinase in Cardiac Myocytes

Angiotensin II (Ang II) treatment was recently shown to activate Jak2, Stat1, and Stat3 proteins in cardiac myocytes. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been shown to be an effective clinical treatment following myocardial infarction, implying that inhibition of Ang II production is beneficial in this pathological condition. Some of the effects of Ang II in cardiac myocytes may be mediated by the JAK–STAT signaling pathway. The AT1receptor was the first G-protein-coupled-receptor reported to activate the JAK–STAT pathway. Recently, however, another G-protein-coupled-receptor (i.e. serotonin) was also shown to signal through the Jak2 and STAT proteins in myoblasts. We hypothesized that Ang II treatment might also activate Stat5 transcription factors in cardiac myocytes. In this study, we provide evidence that the G-protein-coupled, Ang II type I (AT1) receptor couples to activation of Stat5 through Jak2 kinase in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Angiotensin II induces a 1.5- to 10-fold increase in a Stat5 transcription complex, which binds to the prolactin-inducing element (PIE). By Western analysis, Stat5 protein levels were shown to be tyrosine phosphorylated two- to three-fold over control, following Ang II treatment of cardiac myocytes. Phosphorylation of Stat5a and Stat5b proteins was rapid and sustained (30–60 min), and Jak2 kinase co-immunoprecipitated with activated Stat5 proteins. In cardiac myocytes, Stat5 proteins co-immunoprecipitated with the AT1receptor. Selective inhibition of Jak2 kinase with AG-490 blocked formation of prolactin-inducing factor (PIF) complexes by Ang II, suggesting that Jak2 kinase was required for the tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat5 in cardiac myocytes.