VEGF induction of MEF2-dependent transcription is inhibited by modulation of calcineurin, CaMKII, and p38 MAPK. (A) HRECs were cotransfected with 3X-MEF2-Luc reporter, internal control pRL-SV40 containing the Renilla luciferase gene, and plasmid encoding DN-BMK1/ERK5 (ERK5-NH2 terminus), DN-p38α (kinase-inactive), RCAN1/DSCR1, or empty vector pCEFL. After overnight incubation, cells were treated with VEGF (25 ng/mL) for 16 hours, then lysed for measurement of luciferase activity. Data are presented as in Figure 4. (B) HRECs were cotransfected with 3X-MEF2-Luc, pRL-SV40, and plasmid encoding DN-CaMKII (kinase-dead), DN-BMK1, or empty vector pCEFL. Sixteen hours after VEGF treatment, cells were assayed for luciferase activity. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01 versus control.