The inducible cyclic adenosine monophosphate early repressor (ICER) in the pituitary intermediate lobe: role in the stress response

Abstract

The cAMP signalling pathway plays a key role in the regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Transcription factor CREM (cAMP response element modulator) is implicated in the modulation of a number of neuroendocrine functions. By virtue of an alternative, intronic promoter CREM generates the powerful transcriptional repressor ICER (inducible cAMP early repressor), which displays a pronounced neuroendocrine-specific expression. Here we document a remarkable induction of ICER in response to acute stress in the intermediate lobe (IL) of the pituitary gland. The induction is transient and is preceded by CREB phosphorylation. Adrenergic stimulation directs ICER induction in the IL through the activation of both β2-adrenergic and corticotrophin-releasing hormone receptors. These receptors are positively coupled to the adenylate cyclase signalling pathway, which regulates hormone release from the IL, implicating ICER in the modulation of peptide secretion. We show that targeted ablation of the CREM gene in the mouse causes a chronic increase of β-endorphin levels. Altered hormonal production occurs both in basal conditions and after stress. Thus, early ICER induction in the IL may be involved in the modulation of gene expression in response to stress.