Transcription Factor cAMP-response Element Binding Research Articles

Oxidative stress induces proorphanin FQ and proenkephalin gene expression in astrocytes through p38- and ERK-MAP kinases and NF-kappaB.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of stroke, traumatic brain injuries, and neurodegenerative diseases affecting both neuronal and glial cells in the CNS. In this study we have demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) dramatically induce the expression of two neuropeptide genes, the opioid proenkephalin (pENK) and the opioid-related proorphanin FQ (pOFQ; also known as pronociceptin) in primary astrocytes. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment dose-dependently increased pENK and pOFQ mRNA levels with a maximal effect ( approximately 15-fold increase) being detected at 50 microM concentration. Exposing the astrocyte cultures to hypoxia and subsequent re-oxygenation also led to a profound elevation of pOFQ and pENK mRNA levels. Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry revealed that H2O2 treatment elicited the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of ERK 1/2 and p38 MAP kinases. Blockade of the p38 or the ERK MAP kinase pathways (by SB202190 and PD98059, respectively) prevented the H2O2-induced increase in pENK and pOFQ mRNA levels indicating a central role for these cascades in the regulation of pOFQ and pENK genes in response to oxidative stress. Regulation of pOFQ and pENK gene expression by ERK and p38 activation may be mediated through the transcription factor cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB). We observed CREB phosphorylation in response to H2O2, which was also prevented by SB202190 and PD98059. The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway appears to be involved exclusively in the induction of pOFQ transcription by H2O2, as NF-kappaB inhibitors antagonized the effect of oxidative stress on pOFQ, but not on pENK expression. The profound induction of these genes by oxidative stress and these other factors may suggest a role for orphanin FQ and enkephalin in injury and stress responses of the CNS and neuropathophysiological conditions involving reactive oxygen species.

Modular structure of cAMP response element binding protein 2 (CREB2)

The transcription factor cAMP-response element binding protein 2 (CREB2), a member of the family of basic region leucine zipper proteins, has been suggested to function in the brain as a repressor of long-term memory. Using recombinant proteins we show that CREB2 binds in vitro to the palindromic cAMP response element derived from the secretogranin II gene. Recent studies of the chromogranin B, secretogranin II and enkephalin genes showed that CREB2 functioned as a repressor of cAMP-induced transcription. We analyzed the ability of CREB2 to repress transcription using model promoters. A molecular dissection of the CREB2 molecule revealed that CREB2 lacks a transferable repressor domain suggesting that CREB2 may function solely as a “passive” transcriptional repressor. In contrast, “active” repressor domains derived from the thyroid hormone receptor α or the NK10 zinc finger protein containing a “Krüppel associated box” could be transfered to a heterologous DNA-binding domain and functioned as fusion proteins in repressing transcription of a reporter gene. In addition, a strong activation domain located at the N-terminus was identified in the CREB2 protein suggesting that CREB2 may act as an activator of transcription by binding to different genetic regulatory elements.

Deficient gene expression in protein kinase inhibitor alpha Null mutant mice.

Protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) is a potent endogenous inhibitor of the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA). It functions by binding the free catalytic (C) subunit with a high affinity and is also known to export nuclear C subunit to the cytoplasm. The significance of these actions with respect to PKI's physiological role is not well understood. To address this, we have generated by homologous recombination mutant mice that are deficient in PKIalpha, one of the three isoforms of PKI. The mice completely lack PKI activity in skeletal muscle and, surprisingly, show decreased basal and isoproterenol-induced gene expression in muscle. Further examination revealed reduced levels of the phosphorylated (active) form of the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) in the knockouts. This phenomenon stems, at least in part, from lower basal PKA activity levels in the mutants, arising from a compensatory increase in the level of the RIalpha subunit of PKA. The deficit in gene induction, however, is not easily explained by current models of PKI function and suggests that PKI may play an as yet undescribed role in PKA signaling.

Transcriptional Regulation of 5-Aminolevulinate Synthase by Phenobarbital and cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase

5-Aminolevulinate synthase (ALA-S) is a mitochondrial matrix enzyme that catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step of the heme biosynthesis. There are two ALA-S isozymes encoded by distinct genes. One gene encodes an isozyme that is expressed exclusively in erythroid cells, and the other gene encodes a housekeeping isozyme that is apparently expressed in all tissues. In this report we examine the mechanisms by which phenobarbital and cAMP regulate housekeeping ALA-S expression. We have determined that cAMP and phenobarbital effects are additive and the combined action is necessary to observe the cAMP effect on ALA-S mRNA in rat hepatocytes. The role of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) has been examined. A synergism effect on ALA-S mRNA induction is observed in rat hepatocytes treated with pairs of selective analogs by each PKA cAMP binding sites. A 870-bp fragment of ALA-S 5′-flanking region is able to provide cAMP and phenobarbital stimulation to chloramphenicol O-acetyltranferase fusion vectors in transiently transfected HepG2 cells. ALA-S promoter activity is induced by cotransfection with an expression vector containing the catalytic subunit of PKA. Furthermore, cotransfection with a dominant negative mutant of the PKA regulatory subunit impairs the cAMP analog-mediated increase, but the phenobarbital-mediated induction is not modified. Our data suggest that the transcription factor cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) is probably involved in PKA induction of ALA-S gene expression. Finally, heme addition greatly decreases the basal and phenobarbital or cAMP analog-mediated induction of ALA-S promoter activity. The present work provides evidence that cAMP, through PKA-mediated CREB phosphorylation, and phenobarbital induce ALA-S expression at the transcriptional level, while heme represses it.

Cell cycle and cell survival: Pinpointing Rsks

During development, some neurons undergo cell death if they are deprived of growth factors. Signals that contribute to such growth factor-dependent survival are mediated, at least in part, by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), but the crucial target of the MAPKs has been unknown. Bonni et al. report that the protein kinase Rsk2 (a member of the pp90 ribosomal protein S6 kinase family), which is phosphorylated and activated by MAPKs, may mediate the effects on cell survival in cerebellar granule neurons exposed to brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Rsk2 appears to have two ways of influencing cell survival: It phosphorylates and thus suppresses the effects of BAD, a protein that promotes apoptosis. Rsk2 also phosphorylates and activates the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein). Activation of CREB may in turn enhance expression of Bcl2, a protein that promotes cell survival. Nebreda and Gavin discuss these findings and those from a pair of reports that define another role of Rsks in the control of the cell cycle. Before fertilization, most vertebrate eggs are at metaphase of meiosis II. Cytostatic factor (CSF) is the name given to an enzymatic activity present in such eggs, which, when injected into dividing embryos, causes mitotic arrest in metaphase. Such "CSF arrest" can be initiated by the protein kinase Mos, which activates the sequential activation of MAPK kinase MEK and the p42 MAPK. The critical target of p42 MAPK has now been identified as the protein kinase p90 Rsk. Bhatt and Ferrell show that depletion of Rsk from Xenopus egg extracts prevents mitotic arrest in response to activated Mos. Gross et al. demonstrate that activation of Rsk requires its phosphorylation by p42 MAPK and the 3-phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1). They also constructed a constitutively active form of Rsk that caused metaphase arrest when infected into blastomeres of two-cell Xenopus embryos. Activation of Rsk is thus necessary and sufficient to cause CSF arrest. Bonni, A., Brunet, A., West, A.E., Datta, S.R., Takasu, M.A., and Greenberg, M.A. (1999) Cell survival promoted by the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway by transcription-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Science 286 : 1358-1362. [Abstract] [Full Text] Bhatt, R.R. and Ferrell Jr., J.E. (1999) The protein Kinase p90 Rsk as an essential mediator of cytostatic factor activity. Science 286 : 1362-1365. [Abstract] [Full Text] Gross, S.D., Schwab, M.S., Lewellyn, A.L., and Maller, J.L. (1999) Induction of metaphase arrest in cleaving Xenopus embryos by the protein kinase p90Rsk. Science 286 : 1365-1367. [Abstract] [Full Text] Nebreda, A.R. and Gavin, A.-C. (1999) Cell survival demands some Rsk. Science 286 : 1309-1310. [Summary] [Full Text]

Cell survival promoted by the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway by transcription-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

A mechanism by which the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway mediates growth factor-dependent cell survival was characterized. The MAPK-activated kinases, the Rsks, catalyzed the phosphorylation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD at serine 112 both in vitro and in vivo. The Rsk-induced phosphorylation of BAD at serine 112 suppressed BAD-mediated apoptosis in neurons. Rsks also are known to phosphorylate the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) at serine 133. Activated CREB promoted cell survival, and inhibition of CREB phosphorylation at serine 133 triggered apoptosis. These findings suggest that the MAPK signaling pathway promotes cell survival by a dual mechanism comprising the posttranslational modification and inactivation of a component of the cell death machinery and the increased transcription of pro-survival genes.

CREB and COUP-tF mediate transcriptional activation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 genome in jurkat t cells in response to cyclic AMP and dopamine

Infection of lymphocytes by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is associated with an increase in intracellular cAMP levels. Recent studies have shown that lymphocytes are able to synthesize and bind the dopamine, known to affect multiple cellular pathways, such as the cAMP pathway. Here we have investigated the molecular mechanisms by which cAMP and dopamine regulate HIV-1 gene transcription in Jurkat T cells. Transient expression experiments revealed that dopamine and forskolin lead to a synergistic stimulation of long terminal repeat (LTR)-driven transcription. This action is mediated through the cAMP response element binding (CREB) protein and chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor (COUP-TF). CREB and COUP-TF act indirectly through the minimal -40/+80 and -68/+80 LTR region, respectively. We have previously demonstrated that COUP-TF stimulates HIV-1 transcription via the -68/+29 LTR region without direct DNA binding. Here, gel supershift experiments show that CREB does not directly bind to the -45/+85 proximal LTR sequences. Moreover, our data reveal novel functional interactions between COUP-TF and CREB, which lead to synergistic cAMP- and dopamine-induced transactivation of the HIV-1 LTR. These findings reveal that dopamine-induced signals and the cAMP pathway stimulate HIV-1 gene transcription in lymphocytes by converging to the minimal -68/+80 LTR region, through the transcription factors CREB and COUP-TF.

Ceramide and Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) Induce cAMP Response Element Binding Protein Phosphorylation via Distinct Signaling Pathways While Having Opposite Effects on Myeloid Cell Survival

The role of ceramide as a second messenger is a subject of great interest, particularly since it is implicated in signaling in response to inflammatory cytokines. Ceramide induces apoptosis in both cytokine-dependent MC/9 cells and factor-independent U937 cells. Elevation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels inhibits apoptosis induced by ceramide and several other treatments. One target of cAMP-mediated signaling is the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein), and recently CREB phosphorylation at an activating site has been shown to also be mediated by a cascade involving p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), one of the stress-activated MAP kinases. Because no role for p38 MAPK in apoptosis has been firmly established, we examined the relationship between p38 MAPK and CREB phosphorylation under various conditions. Ceramide, or sphingomyelinase, like tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) or the hematopoietic growth factor, interleukin-3 (IL-3), was shown to activate p38 MAPK, which in turn activated MAPKAP kinase-2. Each of these treatments led to phosphorylation of CREB (and the related factor ATF-1). A selective p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, blocked TNF-– or ceramide-induced CREB phosphorylation, but had no effect on the induction of apoptosis mediated by these agents. The protective agents cAMP and IL-3 also led to CREB phosphorylation, but this effect was independent of p38 MAPK, even though IL-3 was shown to activate both p38 MAPK and MAPKAP kinase-2. Therefore, the opposing effects on apoptosis observed with cAMP and IL-3, compared with ceramide and TNF-, could not be explained on the basis of phosphorylation of CREB. In addition, because SB203580 had no effect of TNF- or ceramide-induced apoptosis, our results strongly argue against a role for p38 MAPK in the induction of TNF-– or ceramide-induced apoptosis.

Ceramide and Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) Induce cAMP Response Element Binding Protein Phosphorylation via Distinct Signaling Pathways While Having Opposite Effects on Myeloid Cell Survival

AbstractThe role of ceramide as a second messenger is a subject of great interest, particularly since it is implicated in signaling in response to inflammatory cytokines. Ceramide induces apoptosis in both cytokine-dependent MC/9 cells and factor-independent U937 cells. Elevation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels inhibits apoptosis induced by ceramide and several other treatments. One target of cAMP-mediated signaling is the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein), and recently CREB phosphorylation at an activating site has been shown to also be mediated by a cascade involving p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), one of the stress-activated MAP kinases. Because no role for p38 MAPK in apoptosis has been firmly established, we examined the relationship between p38 MAPK and CREB phosphorylation under various conditions. Ceramide, or sphingomyelinase, like tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or the hematopoietic growth factor, interleukin-3 (IL-3), was shown to activate p38 MAPK, which in turn activated MAPKAP kinase-2. Each of these treatments led to phosphorylation of CREB (and the related factor ATF-1). A selective p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, blocked TNF-α– or ceramide-induced CREB phosphorylation, but had no effect on the induction of apoptosis mediated by these agents. The protective agents cAMP and IL-3 also led to CREB phosphorylation, but this effect was independent of p38 MAPK, even though IL-3 was shown to activate both p38 MAPK and MAPKAP kinase-2. Therefore, the opposing effects on apoptosis observed with cAMP and IL-3, compared with ceramide and TNF-α, could not be explained on the basis of phosphorylation of CREB. In addition, because SB203580 had no effect of TNF-α or ceramide-induced apoptosis, our results strongly argue against a role for p38 MAPK in the induction of TNF-α– or ceramide-induced apoptosis.

Specific Agrin Isoforms Induce cAMP Response Element Binding Protein Phosphorylation in Hippocampal Neurons

The synaptic basal lamina protein agrin is essential for the formation of neuromuscular junctions. Agrin mediates the postsynaptic clustering of acetylcholine receptors and regulates transcription in muscles. Agrin expression is not restricted to motor neurons but can be demonstrated throughout the CNS. The functional significance of agrin expression in neurons other than motor neurons is unknown. To test whether agrin triggers responses in neurons that lead to the activation of transcription factors, we have analyzed phosphorylation of the transcriptional regulatory site serine 133 of the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) in primary hippocampal neurons. Our results indicate that the neuronal (Ag4,8), but not the non-neuronal (Ag0,0), isoform of agrin induces CREB phosphorylation in hippocampal neurons. The kinetics of agrin- and BDNF-induced CREB phosphorylation are similar: peak levels are reached in minutes and are strongly reduced 2 hr later. Neuronal responses to agrin require extracellular calcium, and, in contrast to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, the specific inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) does not affect agrin-evoked CREB phosphorylation. Our results show that hippocampal neurons specifically respond to neuronal agrin in a Ca2+-dependent manner and via the activation of tyrosine kinases.

Action Potential-Dependent Regulation of Gene Expression: Temporal Specificity in Ca2+, cAMP-Responsive Element Binding Proteins, and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling

Specific patterns of neural impulses regulate genes controlling nervous system development and plasticity, but it is not known how intracellular signaling cascades and transcriptional activation mechanisms can regulate specific genes in response to specific patterns of action potentials. Studies using electrical stimulation of mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons in culture show that the temporal dynamics of intracellular signaling pathways are an important factor. Expression of c-fos varied inversely with the interval between repeated bursts of action potentials. Transcription was not dependent on a large or sustained increase in intracellular Ca2+, and high Ca2+ levels separated by long interburst intervals (5 min) produced minimal increases in c-fos expression. Levels of the transcription factor cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated at Ser-133, increased rapidly in response to brief action potential stimulation but remained at high levels several minutes after an action potential burst. These kinetics limited the fidelity with which P-CREB could follow different patterns of action potentials, and P-CREB levels were not well correlated with c-fos expression. The extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) also were stimulated by action potentials of appropriate temporal patterns. Bursts of action potentials separated by long intervals (5 min) did not activate MAPK effectively, but they did increase CREB phosphorylation. This was a consequence of the more rapid dephosphorylation of MAPK in comparison to CREB. High expression of c-fos was dependent on the combined activation of the MAPK pathway and phosphorylation of CREB. These observations show that temporal features of action potentials (and associated Ca2+ transients) regulate expression of neuronal genes by activating specific intracellular signaling pathways with appropriate temporal dynamics.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling in the primate corpus luteum: maintenance of protein kinase A activity throughout the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

Recent studies from our laboratory (Endocrinology 136:4762-4768, 1995) demonstrating that the expression of cAMP-dependent nuclear transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) is lost following ovulation in macaques has revealed a novel mechanism by which the cytoplasmic and nuclear actions the cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) intracellular signaling system may be regulated independently. Implicit in this hypothesis is the assumption that PKA activity is maintained throughout the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, yet to date there have been no published reports regarding PKA activity in the primate corpus luteum. PKA activity was assessed by the incorporation of 32P from radiolabeled ATP into a PKA-specific peptide substrate (kemptide) in the presence or absence of cAMP. Luteal cytosolic fractions were obtained from corpora lutea collected during the spontaneous luteal phase (days 3-5, 7-8, 10-11, 13-15, and postmenses) or obtained from animals on days 11 or 16 of the luteal phase after the animals received seven days of exogenous human CG (hCG) treatment. Examination of PKA activity in luteal slices from various aged CL maintained in short-term organ culture in the presence or absence of recombinant cynomolgus monkey LH was also performed. There were no significant differences in basal or cAMP-stimulated PKA activities in corpora lutea collected throughout the spontaneous luteal phase. Further, Western immunoblot analyses of the catalytic subunit of PKA (PKA C alpha) in corpora lutea collected throughout the luteal phase revealed immunoreactive protein bands with similar intensities. In vitro addition of recombinant cynomolgus LH and dibutyryl cAMP stimulated PKA activity in corpora lutea collected during the early, mid, and late luteal phases. In corpora lutea obtained from animals treated with hCG during the midluteal phase, basal PKA activity was decreased 65% as compared with untreated day 11 controls and in late luteal phase, hCG-exposed CL basal PKA activity was decreased 30% as compared with untreated day 16 controls. However, there were no measurable differences in cAMP-stimulated PKA activity in CL exposed to prior hCG treatment in vivo and Western immunoblot analyses for PKA C alpha in these tissues revealed immunoreactive protein bands that were comparable with corpora lutea collected from untreated animals. Further, immunoblot analyses for CREB in corpora lutea collected from hCG-treated animals revealed that CREB immunoreactivity remained undetectable following a treatment regimen with hCG that mimics early pregnancy. These results demonstrate that, although CREB expression ceases following ovulation, PKA activity is maintained throughout the luteal phase, which provides a mechanism by which the acute steroidogenic actions of LH may be separated from longer term trophic actions that may rely the transcriptional activity of CREB.

Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Signaling in the Primate Corpus Luteum: Maintenance of Protein Kinase A Activity throughout the Luteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle

Recent studies from our laboratory demonstrating that the expression of cAMP-dependent nuclear transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) is lost following ovulation in macaques has revealed a novel mechanism by which the cytoplasmic and nuclear actions the cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) intracellular signaling system may be regulated independently. Implicit in this hypothesis is the assumption that PKA activity is maintained throughout the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, yet to date there have been no published reports regarding PKA activity in the primate corpus luteum. PKA activity was assessed by the incorporation of 32P from radiolabeled ATP into a PKA-specific peptide substrate (kemptide) in the presence or absence of cAMP. Luteal cytosolic fractions were obtained from corpora lutea collected during the spontaneous luteal phase (days 3–5, 7–8, 10–11, 13–15, and postmenses) or obtained from animals on days 11 or 16 of the luteal phase after the animals received seven days of exogenous human CG (hCG) treatment. Examination of PKA activity in luteal slices from various aged CL maintained in short-term organ culture in the presence or absence of recombinant cynomolgus monkey LH was also performed. There were no significant differences in basal or cAMP-stimulated PKA activities in corpora lutea collected throughout the spontaneous luteal phase. Further, Western immunoblot analyses of the catalytic subunit of PKA (PKA Cα) in corpora lutea collected throughout the luteal phase revealed immunoreactive protein bands with similar intensities. In vitro addition of recombinant cynomolgus LH and dibutyryl cAMP stimulated PKA activity in corpora lutea collected during the early, mid, and late luteal phases. In corpora lutea obtained from animals treated with hCG during the midluteal phase, basal PKA activity was decreased 65% as compared with untreated day 11 controls and in late luteal phase, hCG-exposed CL basal PKA activity was decreased 30% as compared with untreated day 16 controls. However, there were no measurable differences in cAMP-stimulated PKA activity in CL exposed to prior hCG treatment in vivo and Western immunoblot analyses for PKA Cα in these tissues revealed immunoreactive protein bands that were comparable with corpora lutea collected from untreated animals. Further, immunoblot analyses for CREB in corpora lutea collected from hCG-treated animals revealed that CREB immunoreactivity remained undetectable following a treatment regimen with hCG that mimics early pregnancy. These results demonstrate that, although CREB expression ceases following ovulation, PKA activity is maintained throughout the luteal phase, which provides a mechanism by which the acute steroidogenic actions of LH may be separated from longer term trophic actions that may rely the transcriptional activity of CREB.

The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-induced phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus is inhibited by melatonin

The mammalian hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is an endogenous pacemaker generating circadian rhythms. SCN activity is synchronized with environmental light/dark cycles by photic information primarily transmitted via the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT). The SCN controls synthesis and release of melatonin, the hormone of the pineal gland. Melatonin itself feeds back to the SCN. Using brain slice technique and immunocytochemistry we demonstrate that (1) pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) induces the phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in the SCN during late subjective day and (2) melatonin inhibits this PACAP-induced phosphorylation. Our data suggest that PACAP is a neurotransmitter which affects gene expression in the SCN probably via the cAMP signaling pathway and that the antagonistic effect of melatonin mirrors a feed-back loop within the circadian system.

Nuclear effects of the cAMP pathway activation in somatotrophs.

Activation of the cAMP pathway from the cell surface to the nucleus plays a major role in somatotroph differentiation and growth. This pathway is regulated mainly by the antagonistic hypothalamic hormones GHRH and somatostatin. Several pituitary-specific, as well as ubiquitous, expressed genes are regulated by cAMP in GH-secreting cells. Among them are the GH, GHF-1/Pit-1, c-fos and GHRH-receptor genes. Protein kinase A phosphorylation of Ser 133 of the transcription factor cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), seems to play a pivotal role in the activation of the cAMP pathway in normal and tumoral somatotrophs. The oncogenic activating mutations of the G-protein as subunit stimulate transcription and CREB phosphorylation in somatotroph cells. The implications of the nuclear targets of cAMP in the differentiation and growth of somatotrophs are discussed in this review.

Analysis of the Structural Properties of cAMP-responsive Element-binding Protein (CREB) and Phosphorylated CREB

The transcription factor CREB (cAMP responsive element binding protein) is activated by protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation of a single serine residue. To investigate possible mechanisms of CREB regulation by phosphorylation, we initiated a structural and biophysical characterization of the full-length, wild-type CREB protein, an altered CREB protein (CREB/SER) in which the three cysteine residues in the DNA-binding domain were replaced with serine residues and a truncated protein (ACT265) which encompasses the entire activation domain of CREB. Circular dichroism (CD) reveals that CREB and CREB/SER have identical secondary structures and contain approximately 20% alpha-helix, 9% beta-strand, 34% beta-turn, and 37% random coil structures. PKA phosphorylation does not alter the CD spectra, and therefore the secondary structure, of CREB or of CREB bound to DNA. Protease cleavage patterns indicate that PKA phosphorylation does not induce a global conformational change in CREB. Furthermore, PKA phosphorylation does not change the DNA binding affinity of CREB for either canonical or non-canonical CRE sequences as measured by a fluorescence anisotropy DNA binding assay. Since PKA phosphorylation of CREB results in its specific binding to the transcriptional co-activators CREB-binding protein and p300, we suggest that the PKA activation of CREB occurs by the production of specific, complementary interactions with these proteins, rather than through the previously proposed mechanisms of a phosphorylation-dependent conformational change or increased DNA binding affinity.

Spatial memory deficits, increased phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB, and induction of the AP-1 complex following experimental brain injury

Traumatic brain injury causes both short- and long-term neurological impairments. A cascade of biochemical changes triggered by the injury may increase the expression of several genes, which has been hypothesized to contribute to the observed cognitive deficits. The mechanism(s) of induction for these genes is not yet known. We present evidence that lateral cortical impact injury in rats that produces spatial memory deficits also increases phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding). Subsequent to the phosphorylation of CREB, c-Fos expression and the AP-1 complex are enhanced. The temporal and spatial activation of c-Fos is consistent with it being induced by phosphorylated CREB proteins. Thus, CREB-mediated gene activation may contribute to the observed behavioral deficits. Further elucidation of the biochemical and pathophysiological changes will be of importance for clinical therapy.

Two distinct forms of active transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein).

Mammalian cells express two distinct forms of transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) that are apparently the products of alternative splicing of the CREB gene transcript. The two proteins differ by a 14-amino acid serine-rich insertion present in one of the CREB isoforms. We show that both CREB isoforms are expressed in many cell types and mammalian species. Both encode proteins that bind specifically to a cAMP response element in vitro. As expected for proteins of this class, the CREB proteins bind DNA as dimers. Both proteins impart cAMP-regulated transcriptional activity to a heterologous DNA-binding domain, showing that cAMP directly modulates the transcriptional stimulatory activity of CREB. The presence of multiple CREB isoforms with identical DNA-binding specificities but differences in the presumed regulatory domain raises the possibility that CREB proteins may be able to integrate distinct regulatory signals at the level of gene transcription.