LOX-1, a receptor for ox-LDL (oxidized low-density lipoprotein), has recently been determined to play a critical role in the progression of atherosclerosis. LOX-1 expression (mRNA and protein) has been shown to be up-regulated by pro-atherogenic stimuli, such as ox-LDL and Ang II (angiotensin II). However, the molecular mechanisms of these up-regulations are unclear. In the present study, we explored LOX-1 transcriptional promoter activation in response to ox-LDL and Ang II. Under basal states, LOX-1 core promoter (LOX-1 -35/+36) was found to be sufficient for its basal activity in HCAECs (human coronary artery endothelial cells). More importantly, we found that ox-LDL (60 microg/ml for 24 h) induced LOX-1 promoter activity significantly and that a 105 bp fragment (between nt -1599 and -1494) was required for this activation. Within this 106 bp fragment, there is a potential binding motif for the transcription factor Oct-1 (octamer-1). By electrophoretic mobility-shift assay, we observed the activation of Oct-1 by ox-LDL. The critical role of Oct-1 in ox-LDL-induced LOX-1 promoter activation was further confirmed by mutagenesis assay. For comparison, we also examined LOX-1 promoter activation in response to Ang II (1 micromol/l for 24 h). Interestingly, another promoter region, between nt -2336 and -1990, was required for Ang II-induced LOX-1 promoter activation. In conclusion, the present study strongly suggests that ox-LDL, by activating Oct-1, induces LOX-1 promoter activation. Furthermore, this study suggests that while ox-LDL and Ang II both induce LOX-1 expression in HCAECs, the underlying mechanisms of promoter activation are different from each other.