Coactivator cAMP Response Element Binding Research Articles

Discovery of Highly Potent and Efficient CBP/p300 Degraders with Strong In Vivo Antitumor Activity.

The transcriptional coactivator cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP) and its homologue p300 have emerged as attractive therapeutic targets for human cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a series of cereblon (CRBN)-recruiting CBP/p300 proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) based on the inhibitor CCS1477. The representative compounds 14g (XYD190) and 14h (XYD198) potently inhibited the growth of AML cells with low nanomolar IC50 values and effectively degraded CBP and p300 proteins in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Mechanistic studies confirmed that 14g and 14h can selectively bind to CBP/p300 bromodomains and induce CBP and p300 degradation in bromodomain family proteins in a CRBN- and proteasome-dependent manner. 14g and 14h displayed remarkable antitumor efficacy in the MV4;11 xenograft model (TGI = 88% and 93%, respectively). Our findings demonstrated that 14g and 14h are useful lead compounds and deserve further optimization and activity evaluation for the treatment of human cancers.

Neuronal energy-sensing pathway promotes energy balance by modulating disease tolerance

The starvation-inducible coactivator cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-cAMP-regulated transcription coactivator (Crtc) has been shown to promote starvation resistance in Drosophila by up-regulating CREB target gene expression in neurons, although the underlying mechanism is unclear. We found that Crtc and its binding partner CREB enhance energy homeostasis by stimulating the expression of short neuropeptide F (sNPF), an ortholog of mammalian neuropeptide Y, which we show here is a direct target of CREB and Crtc. Neuronal sNPF was found to promote energy homeostasis via gut enterocyte sNPF receptors, which appear to maintain gut epithelial integrity. Loss of Crtc-sNPF signaling disrupted epithelial tight junctions, allowing resident gut flora to promote chronic increases in antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene expression that compromised energy balance. Growth on germ-free food reduced AMP gene expression and rescued starvation sensitivity in Crtc mutant flies. Overexpression of Crtc or sNPF in neurons of wild-type flies dampens the gut immune response and enhances starvation resistance. Our results reveal a previously unidentified tolerance defense strategy involving a brain-gut pathway that maintains homeostasis through its effects on epithelial integrity.

Determination of the Role of CBP- and p300-Mediated Wnt Signaling on Colonic Cells.

BackgroundThe Wnt signaling pathway, mediated through active beta-catenin, is responsible for initiating the majority of cases of human colorectal cancer (CRC), and we have previously shown that hyperactivation of this pathway by histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis), such as butyrate, can induce the death of CRC cells. An important cellular switch that mediates the effects of Wnt-signaling activation is variation in the association between beta-catenin and the transcriptional coactivators cAMP response element binding (CREB) binding protein (CBP) and p300. Association of CBP with beta-catenin is thought to activate a set of genes linked to cell proliferation, while the p300-mediated Wnt genetic program is believed to promote cell differentiation. Small molecule agents have been discovered that modulate CBP/p300 Wnt transcriptional programs by altering the association of CBP and p300 to beta-catenin. ICG-001 and ICG-427 inhibit CBP- and p300-mediated Wnt activity, respectively, while IQ-1 prevents the shift from CBP-mediated to a p300-mediated Wnt activity.ObjectiveAim 1 of this proposal is designed to determine the role of CBP- and p300-mediated Wnt signaling in the response of CRC cells to HDACis. Aim 2 is to determine the role of CBP and p300 in the maintenance of high- and low-Wnt fractions in CRC cell line. Aim 3 will compare the effects of CBP- and p300-mediated Wnt activity on CRC initiation and progression.MethodsIn Aim 1, cells will be cotreated with HDACis and ICG-001, ICG-427, or IQ-1 and the levels of Wnt activity, apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and CBP- or p300-beta-catenin binding measured. Aim 2 of this proposal may mirror similar heterogeneity observed in human tumors and which may be of clinical significance. Aim 3 will use CRC cell line model systems of initiation and progression: the normal colon cell lines CCD-841CoN, the adenoma line LT97, the primary colon carcinoma cell line SW480, and the lymph node metastasis cell line SW620. Cells will be treated with HDACis and the small molecule agents, and assayed as described above.ResultsWe will also attempt to use changes in CBP- and p300-mediated Wnt signaling to shift colonic cells between cell type, modifying CBP- and p300-mediated gene expression in the LT97 adenoma line to shift the adenoma phenotype to more characteristic of the CCD-841CoN normal cells, or the SW480 carcinoma cells. We will use microarray analyses to determine the patterns of gene expression responsible for these CBP- or p300-mediated changes in colonic neoplastic phenotype.ConclusionsThe findings generated from this study will lead to future, more in-depth projects to further dissect the action of CBP/p300 Wnt–mediated transcriptional programs in colonic neoplasia, with an emphasis on methods to modulate these genetic programs for chemopreventive effect.

Nuclear factor-κB regulates the expression of multiple genes encoding liver transport proteins.

In this study we identified the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of NF-κB on the expression of genes encoding multiple liver transport proteins. Well-conserved NF-κB binding sites were found in the promoters of farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-target genes. An electromobility shift assay (EMSA) demonstrated the specific interaction between the NF-κB p65 protein and a (32)P-labeled BSEP NF-κB response element (NF-κBE). Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis confirmed binding of NF-κB p65 to the BSEP locus but not the FXRE in vitro. NF-κB p65 overexpression in Huh-7 cells markedly repressed FXR/RXR transactivation of the BSEP, ABCG5/G8, MRP2, and FXR promoters, which was totally reversed by expression of the IκBα super-repressor. NF-κB interacted directly with FXR on coimmunoprecipitation, suggesting another level for the inhibitory effects of NF-κB on FXR-target genes. In vivo ChIP analysis with liver nuclei obtained from mice after 3 days of common bile duct ligation (BDL) or 6 h post-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection showed a markedly increased recruitment of NF-κB p65 to the Bsep promoter compared with controls. There was also increased recruitment of the corepressor silencing mediator of retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptor (SMRT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC)3 and HDAC2 to the NF-κB sites. We also found that NF-κB p65 was recruited to NF-κB binding sites in the promoters of organic solute transporter, OSTα and OSTβ, and unexpectedly activated rather than repressed gene expression. In mouse liver after BDL NF-κB recruitment to Ostα and Ostβ promoters was associated with increased binding of the potent coactivator cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP)/p300 to the NF-κBE and depletion of CBP/p300 at the FXR element. Overall, these studies demonstrate a novel role for NF-κB in adaptation to obstructive and LPS-induced cholestasis acting through recruitment to specific NF-κB binding sites in the promoters of FXR-target genes and possibly through direct interaction with FXR.

Conformational propensities of intrinsically disordered proteins influence the mechanism of binding and folding

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) frequently function in protein interaction networks that regulate crucial cellular signaling pathways. Many IDPs undergo transitions from disordered conformational ensembles to folded structures upon binding to their cellular targets. Several possible binding mechanisms for coupled folding and binding have been identified: folding of the IDP after association with the target ("induced fit"), or binding of a prefolded state in the conformational ensemble of the IDP to the target protein ("conformational selection"), or some combination of these two extremes. The interaction of the intrinsically disordered phosphorylated kinase-inducible domain (pKID) of the cAMP-response element binding (CREB) protein with the KIX domain of a general transcriptional coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP) provides an example of the induced-fit mechanism. Here we show by NMR relaxation dispersion experiments that a different intrinsically disordered ligand, the transactivation domain of the transcription factor c-Myb, interacts with KIX at the same site as pKID but via a different binding mechanism that involves elements of conformational selection and induced fit. In contrast to pKID, the c-Myb activation domain has a strong propensity for spontaneous helix formation in its N-terminal region, which binds to KIX in a predominantly folded conformation. The C-terminal region of c-Myb exhibits a much smaller helical propensity and likely folds via an induced-fit process after binding to KIX. We propose that the intrinsic secondary structure propensities of pKID and c-Myb determine their binding mechanisms, consistent with their functions as inducible and constitutive transcriptional activators.

Coordinate regulation of estrogen receptor β degradation by Mdm2 and CREB-binding protein in response to growth signals

The biological actions of estrogen are mediated via estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ. Yet, other cellular signaling events that also impact ER functions have an important role in breast carcinogenesis. Here, we show that activation of ErbB2/ErbB3 tyrosine kinase receptors with growth factor heregulin-β prompts ERβ degradation by the 26S proteasome, a mechanism that requires the coactivator cAMP response element-binding (CREB)-binding protein (CBP). We found that CBP promotes ERβ ubiquitination and degradation through enhancement of the PI3-K/Akt pathway by heregulin-β, an effect potentiated by a negatively charged hinge region of ERβ. Activated Akt triggered the recruitment of E3 ubiquitin ligase Mdm2 to ERβ, which was further stabilized by CBP, resulting in ERβ poly-ubiquitination. Mutation of CBP Thr-1872 or Mdm2 Ser-186/188 Akt sites resulted in a dissociation of the ERβ-CBP-Mdm2 complex and reduced ERβ turnover. We found that the decrease in ERβ induced by heregulin-β was associated with reduced target gene promoter occupancy and enhanced proliferation of breast cancer cells. However, knockdown of Mdm2 restored endogenous ERβ levels resulting in reduction of breast cancer cell growth. These studies identify a tripartite Akt-regulated phosphorylation mechanism that functions to hamper normal ERβ activity and turnover through the concerted actions of CBP and Mdm2 in response to growth factor signaling pathways in breast cancer cells.

Metformin suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis through induction of SIRT1 and GCN5

Abnormal elevation of hepatic gluconeogenesis is central to the onset of hyperglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Metformin corrects hyperglycaemia through inhibition of gluconeogenesis, but its mechanism of action is yet to be fully described. SIRT1 and GCN5 (listed as KAT2A in the MGI Database) have recently been identified as regulators of gluconeogenic gene expression through modulation of levels and activity of the coactivators cAMP-response element binding protein-regulated transcription coactivator 2 (TORC2 or CRTC2 as listed in the MGI Database) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC1alpha or PPARGC1A as listed in the MGI Database). We report that in db/db mice, metformin (250 mg/kg per day; 7 days) increases hepatic levels of GCN5 protein and mRNA compared with the untreated db/db mice, as well as increases levels of SIRT1 protein and activity relative to controls and untreated db/db mice. These changes were associated with reduced TORC2 protein level and decreased gene expression and activation of the PGC1alpha gene target phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and lower plasma glucose and insulin. Inhibition of SIRT1 partially blocked the effects of metformin on gluconeogenesis. SIRT1 was increased through an AMP-activated protein kinase-mediated increase in gene expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, the rate-limiting enzyme of the salvage pathway for NAD(+). Moreover, levels of GCN5 were dramatically reduced in db/db mice compared with the controls. This indicates that loss of GCN5-mediated inhibition of gluconeogenesis appears to constitute a major mechanism for the onset of abnormally elevated hepatic glucose production in db/db mice. In conclusion, induction of GCN5 and SIRT1 potentially represents a critical mechanism of action of metformin. In addition, these data identify induction of hepatic GCN5 as a potential therapeutic strategy for treatment of T2DM.

Differential modulation of NF-κB-mediated pro-inflammatory response in human intestinal epithelial cells by cheY homologues of Vibrio cholerae

Vibrio cholerae, the etiological agent of cholera, colonizes the small intestine, produces an enterotoxin and causes acute inflammatory response at intestinal epithelial surface. Chemotaxis and motility greatly influence the infectivity of V. cholerae although the role of chemotaxis genes in V. cholerae pathogenesis is less well understood. Four cheY genes are present in three clusters in the complete genome sequence of V. cholerae. A less motile and less adherent mutant was generated by inactivation of cheY-3 (O395Y3N) or cheY-4 (O395Y4N) whereas alterations in motility or adherence were not observed for cheY-1 (O395Y1N) or cheY-2 (O395Y2N) insertional mutants. In contrast to O395Y1N and O395Y2N, O395Y3N and O395Y4N showed reduced cholera toxin production compared to wild-type in vitro. Infection of the human intestinal epithelial cell line Int407 with O395Y3N and O395Y4N caused reduced secretion of interleukin (IL)-1a, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) compared to wild-type and was associated with delayed activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65 and its co-activator cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). Further, the absence of nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p50 subunit upon infection with O395Y3N or O395Y4N and its reversal upon complementation indicates the involvement of cheY-3 and cheY-4 in V. cholerae-induced pro-inflammatory response in the INT407 cell line.

Progesterone Receptor Transactivation of the Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor Gene in Ishikawa Endometrial Epithelial Cells Involves Recruitment of Krüppel-Like Factor 9/Basic Transcription Element Binding Protein-1

Progesterone receptor (PR), a ligand-inducible transcription factor, mediates the physiological actions of progesterone (P) through two distinct isoforms, PR-A and PR-B, and numerous nuclear coregulators. We previously demonstrated that basic transcription element binding protein-1 (BTEB1), a transcription factor of the Krüppel-like family, is a functional PR-interacting protein, based on the subfertility phenotype and reduced P sensitivity of uterine PR target genes, on BTEB1 null mutation. Here we examined the role of BTEB1 in PR-mediated signaling in endometrial epithelial cells using Ishikawa human endocarcinoma cells and the P-responsive secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) gene. Treatment of Ishikawa cells with P for 24 h increased SLPI and BTEB1 transcript levels without similar effects on PR expression. P induction was abolished by the PR antagonist RU486, whereas knockdown of BTEB1 with short interfering RNA reduced P-responsive BTEB1 but not SLPI expression to basal levels. Forced expression of BTEB1, either by stable or transient transfections of BTEB1 expression constructs in endometrial carcinoma cells, enhanced SLPI promoter activity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation with anti-BTEB1 antibody demonstrated BTEB1 recruitment to the proximal GC-rich containing SLPI promoter region (-97 to -86) in human endometrial carcinoma (Hec1A) cells overexpressing BTEB1. In Ishikawa cells, recruitment of BTEB1 to the proximal, GC-rich region and the distal, progesterone-responsive element-like containing region (-635 to -514) was P dependent and was accompanied by corecruitment of PR and the PR coactivator cAMP-response element binding protein-binding protein. PR-B, rather than PR-A isoform, preferentially associated with BTEB1 in the GC-rich region, whereas both PR isoforms were recruited to the progesterone-responsive element-like site along with BTEB1. Our findings define a novel pathway for BTEB1/PR cross-talk to facilitate P-dependent gene transcription in endometrial epithelial cells.

An activator protein 1-like motif mediates 17beta-estradiol repression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor promoter via an estrogen receptor alpha-dependent mechanism in ovarian and breast cancer cells.

Although it is recognized that estrogen is one of the most important regulators of GnRH receptor (GnRHR) gene expression, the mechanism underlying the regulation at the transcriptional level is unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that 17beta-estradiol (E2) repressed human GnRHR promoter via an activator protein 1-like motif and estrogen receptor-alpha, of which the DNA-binding domain and the ligand-binding domain were indispensable for the repression. Interestingly, the same cis-acting motif was also found to be important for both the basal activity and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate responsiveness of the GnRHR promoter. EMSAs indicated that multiple transcription factors including c-Jun and c-Fos bound to the activator protein 1-like site and that their DNA binding activity was not significantly affected by E2 treatment. In addition, we demonstrated that the E2 repression could be antagonized by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, which stimulated c-Jun phosphorylation on serine 63, a process that is a prerequisite for recruitment of the transcriptional coactivator cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP). Concomitantly, we found that overexpression of CBP could reverse the suppression in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, our data indicate that E2-activated estrogen receptor-alpha represses human GnRHR gene transcription via an indirect mechanism involving CBP and possibly other transcriptional regulators.

Visualization of coupled protein folding and binding in bacteria and purification of the heterodimeric complex.

During overexpression of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli, misfolded proteins often aggregate and form inclusion bodies. If an aggregation-prone recombinant protein is fused upstream (as an N-terminal fusion) to GFP, aggregation of the recombinant protein domain also leads to misfolding of the downstream GFP domain, resulting in a decrease or loss of fluorescence. We investigated whether the GFP domain could fold correctly if aggregation of the upstream protein domain was prevented in vivo by a coupled protein folding and binding interaction. Such interaction has been previously shown to occur between the E. coli integration host factors alpha and beta, and between the domains of the general transcriptional coactivator cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein and the activator for thyroid hormone and retinoid receptors. In this study, fusion of integration host factor beta or the CREB-binding protein domain upstream to GFP resulted in aggregation of the fusion protein. Coexpression of their respective partners, on the other hand, allowed soluble expression of the fusion protein and a dramatic increase in fluorescence. The study demonstrated that coupled protein folding and binding could be correlated to GFP fluorescence. A modified miniintein containing an affinity tag was inserted between the upstream protein domain and GFP to allow rapid purification and identification of the heterodimeric complex. The GFP coexpression fusion system may be used to identify novel protein-protein interactions that involve coupled folding and binding or protein partners that can solubilize aggregation-prone recombinant proteins.

Evidence that the coactivator CBP/p300 is important for phenobarbital-induced but not basal expression of the CYP2H1 gene.

We have previously identified an upstream 556-bp enhancer domain for the chicken CYP2H1 gene that responds to phenobarbital and binds several transcription factors, including the orphan chicken xenobiotic receptor (CXR). By contrast, the promoter lacks a CXR site and is not inducible by phenobarbital. Although it has been established that CXR can interact with the coactivator SRC-1, there are no reports as to whether other coactivators may be important for phenobarbital-mediated inducibility. Our studies using the adenovirus E1A wild-type protein, which inhibits the coactivators cAMP response element binding protein (CBP) and CBP associated factor (p/CAF), provide evidence for the involvement of one or both of these coactivators at the enhancer but not at the promoter of the CYP2H1 gene. The observations that mutant E1A proteins did not affect the enhancer activity and that inhibition by wild-type E1A was reversed by CBP and p/CAF confirmed the involvement of these coactivators in the induction process. We propose that the intrinsic histone acetyl transferase activity of one or both of these coactivators participates in chromatin remodeling thereby stimulating drug induction of the promoter. This proposal was supported by experiments with the histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A, which resulted in the superinduction of the drug response but had little effect on basal expression of the CYP2H1 gene. The work provides evidence for the first time for the involvement of the coactivators CBP and p/CAF in the phenobarbital-mediated induction of the CYP2H1 gene.

Tranilast inhibits cytokine-induced nuclear factor kappaB activation in vascular endothelial cells.

Tranilast [N-(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl)anthranilic acid] inhibits vascular inflammation. However, the relevant anti-inflammatory mechanisms are not completely understood. We studied the effects of tranilast on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-dependent endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression and transcriptional regulation. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were preincubated with 12.5 to 100 microg/ml tranilast. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced endothelial VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin surface expression was inhibited dose dependently. Maximal inhibition achieved with 100 microg/ml tranilast was 38 +/- 6.9, 31.8 +/- 1.5, and 31.9 +/- 1.9%, respectively (mean +/- S.E.M., p < 0.001, n = 5). Secretion of interleukin 6, which is also NF-kappaB-sensitive, was significantly inhibited by tranilast. Endothelial MHC-I expression, which is independent of NF-kappaB, was not inhibited. Although cytokine-induced degradation of NF-kappaB inhibitor proteins (IkappaB-alpha, -beta, and -epsilon), nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB, and binding of NF-kappaB to kappaB cis-acting elements in the adhesion molecule promoters were not affected by tranilast, ICAM-1-kappaB and E-selectin-kappaB reporter gene activity was inhibited by 53% (n = 5, p < 0.01) and 51% (n = 5, p < 0.001), respectively. In contrast, using SP-1 and C/EBP constructs, reporter gene activity was not altered. Expression of the transcriptional coactivator cAMP response element binding protein binding protein (CBP) was inhibited by tranilast, resulting in a loss of interaction between NF-kappaB and CBP. Therefore, in therapeutically relevant concentrations (50 microg/ml), tranilast inhibits NF-kappaB-dependent transcriptional activation by interfering with the NF-kappaB/CBP association. We propose that inhibition of NF-kappaB dependent gene transcription contributes to the anti-inflammatory effects of tranilast.

Estradiol attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary endothelin-1 gene expression.

The ovarian hormone 17beta-estradiol (E2beta) attenuates chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. We hypothesized that E2beta attenuates this response to hypoxia by decreasing pulmonary expression of the vasoactive and mitogenic peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1). To test this hypothesis, we measured preproET-1 mRNA and ET-1 peptide levels in the lungs of adult female normoxic and hypoxic (24 h or 4 wk at barometric pressure = 380 mmHg) rats with intact ovaries and in hypoxic ovariectomized (OVX) rats administered E2beta or vehicle via subcutaneous osmotic pumps. Hypoxic exposure increased lung preproET-1 mRNA levels in OVX vehicle-treated rats, but not in rats with intact ovaries. In addition, E2beta replacement prevented hypoxia-mediated increases in preproET-1 mRNA and ET-1 peptide expression. Considering that hypoxic induction of ET-1 gene expression is mediated by a hypoxia-inducible transcription factor(s) (HIF), we further hypothesized that E2beta-induced attenuation of pulmonary ET-1 expression during hypoxia results from decreased HIF activity. We found that E2beta abolished HIF-dependent increases in reporter gene activity. Further experiments demonstrated that overexpression of the transcriptional coactivator cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) binding protein (CBP)/p300, a factor common to both the estrogen receptor and HIF pathways, eliminated E2beta-mediated attenuation of hypoxia-induced ET-1 promoter activity. We conclude that E2beta inhibits hypoxic induction of ET-1 gene expression by interfering with HIF activity, possibly through competition for limiting quantities of CBP/p300.

Synergistic, p160 Coactivator-dependent Enhancement of Estrogen Receptor Function by CARM1 and p300

Members of the p160 coactivator family (steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1), glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein 1 (GRIP1), and activator of thyroid and retinoic acid receptors (ACTR)) mediate transcriptional activation by nuclear receptors. After being recruited to the promoter by nuclear receptors, the p160 coactivator transmits the activating signal via two C-terminal activation domains, AD1 and AD2. AD1 is a binding site for the related coactivators cAMP-response element binding protein binding protein (CBP) and p300, whereas AD2 binds to another coactivator, coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1), a protein-arginine methyltransferase. The current study explored the cooperative functional and mechanistic relationships among GRIP1, CARM1, and p300 in transient transfection assays, where they enhanced the ability of the estrogen receptor (ER) to activate transcription of a reporter gene. The coactivator functions of p300 and CARM1 depended on the co-expression of GRIP1. Simultaneous co-expression of all three coactivators caused a synergistic enhancement of ER function. Deletion of the AD1 domain of GRIP1 abolished the ability of p300 to potentiate ER activity but had no effect on CARM1-mediated stimulation. In contrast, when the AD2 domain of GRIP1 was deleted, p300 still stimulated ER function through the mutant GRIP1, but CARM1 failed to do so. Thus, both binding of p300 to AD1 and binding of CARM1 to AD2 are required for their respective coactivator functions and for their synergy. Furthermore, CARM1 and p300 function independently through different activating domains of GRIP1, and their synergy suggests that they enhance transcription by different, complementary mechanisms.

Phosphorylation-dependent targeting of cAMP response element binding protein to the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway in hypoxia.

Hypoxia activates a number of gene products through degradation of the transcriptional coactivator cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). Other transcriptional regulators (e.g., beta-catenin and NF-kappa B) are controlled through phosphorylation-targeted proteasomal degradation, and thus, we hypothesized a similar degradative pathway for CREB. Differential display analysis of mRNA derived from hypoxic epithelia revealed a specific and time-dependent repression of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), a serine phosphatase important in CREB dephosphorylation. Subsequent studies identified a previously unappreciated proteasomal-targeting motif within the primary structure of CREB (DSVTDS), which functions as a substrate for PP1. Ambient hypoxia resulted in temporally sequential CREB serine phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and degradation (in vitro and in vivo). HIV-tat peptide-facilitated loading of intact epithelia with phosphopeptides corresponding to this proteasome targeting motif resulted in inhibition of CREB ubiquitination. Further studies revealed that PP1 inhibitors mimicked hypoxia-induced gene expression, whereas proteasome inhibitors reversed the hypoxic phenotype. Thus, hypoxia establishes conditions that target CREB to proteasomal degradation. These studies may provide unique insight into a general mechanism of transcriptional regulation by hypoxia.

Activation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 in Response to DNA-damaging Agents

Genotoxic stress triggers signal transduction pathways that mediate either the protection or apoptosis of affected cells. The interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are involved in a wide range of host defense mechanisms against environmental stresses. Treatment with DNA-damaging agents, including doxorubicin and UV radiation, caused phosphorylation of the IRF3 transcription factor. Phosphorylation of IRF3 induced its interaction with the transcriptional co-activator cAMP-response element binding protein-binding protein. Furthermore, genotoxic stress-induced phosphorylation of IRF3 resulted in its movement from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, where it activated transcription from its binding site. These observations suggest that IRF3 plays a role in the defensive responses induced by genotoxic stress.

Transcriptional coactivator cAMP response element binding protein mediates induction of the human proliferating cell nuclear antigen promoter by the adenovirus E1A oncoprotein.

The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a crucial component of eukaryotic cell cycle and DNA replication complexes, is induced by the adenovirus E1A 243R oncoprotein through a cis-acting element termed the PERE (PCNA-E1A responsive element). The PERE contains a sequence homologous to an activating transcription factor (ATF) motif, and ATF-1 is a major component of PERE-protein complexes. We have identified a second PERE-binding protein, the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) transcription factor, which forms heterodimers with ATF-1 at this site. CREB, but not ATF-1, is able to mediate transactivation of a minimal PCNA-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter by E1A 243R. Further analysis revealed that the transcriptional coactivator, the CREB-binding protein (CBP), associates with PERE-related complexes, and that CBP is able to mediate a strong transactivation response to E1A 243R at the PCNA promoter. Experiments conducted with mutants in the E1A or CREB components support a model whereby E1A 243R transactivates the PCNA promoter via a CBP-CREB-PERE pathway. These findings delineate a paradigm by which E1A 243R can target and transactivate specific DNA promoter sequences.