B-myb, a member of the myb gene family, was originally isolated based on its high homology with c-myb in the DNA-binding domain. Previously we showed that B-myb is expressed in bovine vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in a cell cycle-dependent fashion, and inhibits type I collagen gene promoter activity. Here, we have explored its role in regulation of another fibrillar collagen gene, Col5A2, encoding the (alpha2 chain of type V collagen. Ectopic expression of B-Myb decreased alpha 2(V) promoter activity and endogenous alpha 2(V) collagen mRNA levels. The responsive region of the alpha 2(V) collagen gene was localized to a fragment including 100 bp of basal promoter and 150 bp of exon 1 sequences, which contained two CRE-like elements. Binding to these elements increased upon deprivation of serum-growth factors, when expression of the Col5A2 gene is elevated, leading us to test their role despite the failure of excess unlabelled CRE oligonucleotide from the somatostatin gene to successfully compete for binding. Mutation of the elements significantly decreased the basal level of alpha2(V) collagen promoter activity and ablated inhibition by B-Myb. Furthermore, addition of B-Myb-glutathionine S-transferase fusion protein inhibited complex formation. Thus, these results confirm a major role for B-Myb in mediating intracellular signals controlling collagen gene expression in vascular SMCs. A model of indirect repression of the Col5A2 gene by B-Myb, via interaction with a positively-acting matrix regulatory factor, termed MRF-V, is discussed.