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The cAMP response element binding protein synergizes with other transcription factors to mediate cAMP responsiveness.

The cAMP responsiveness of the promoter for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) is mediated by a synergistic interaction between a complex regulatory region, which binds liver-enriched transcription factors, and a typical cAMP response element (CRE). Although a role for the CRE-binding protein (CREB) in the cAMP-responsiveness of this promoter has been generally assumed, some uncertainty remains due to the observations that several C/EBP-related proteins bind with near equal affinity, relative to CREB, to this particular CRE. Thus, a detailed analysis of the involvement of CREB in this synergism was undertaken in HepG2 cells. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrate that a CRE probe is bound by CREB present in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, we show that a dominant repressor of CREB is able to significantly reduce the cAMP responsiveness of the PEPCK promoter in HepG2 cells. Finally, we demonstrate using a GAL4-CREB fusion protein that CREB is able to synergize with the liver-enriched factors bound upstream on the PEPCK promoter to mediate a liver-specific response to cAMP. Examination of several mutant forms of CREB allow us to conclude that the "synergy" domain of CREB resides within amino acid residues 83-203, and that residues 83-145 can mediate a partial synergistic response. This study establishes that CREB is able to synergize with liver-enriched transcription factors to mediate a tissue-specific response to cAMP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Involvement of the Ca(2+)-dependent phosphatase calcineurin in gene transcription that is stimulated by cAMP through cAMP response elements.

Gene transcription can be induced by cAMP and Ca2+ through distinct protein kinases phosphorylating the transcription factor CREB, which binds to cAMP response elements (CREs) in various genes. Induction of gene transcription by Ca2+ has been shown recently to depend on the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin in pancreatic islet cells. This study investigates the role of calcineurin in CRE-directed gene transcription after stimulation by cAMP. Reporter fusion genes under the transcriptional control of CREs were transiently transfected into the cell line HIT. Pharmacological evidence suggests that cAMP stimulates CRE-mediated transcription through a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism. The immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporin A and FK506 inhibited CRE-mediated transcription stimulated by cAMP. At the same concentrations they also inhibited calcineurin phosphatase activity. Reversal of calcineurin inhibition by rapamycin or overexpression of calcineurin led to disinhibition of CRE-mediated gene transcription. Immunoblots with a phosphoCREB-specific antibody showed that cyclosporin A and FK506 do not interfere with CREB phosphorylation at serine 119 stimulated with cAMP or membrane depolarization. These results indicate that in HIT cells stimulation of CRE-mediated transcription depends not only on the activity of protein kinases phosphorylating CREB but also on the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin that is necessary for the transcriptional competence of phosphorylated CREB.

Animals↗

cAMP-mediated growth inhibition in fibroblasts is not mediated via mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (ERK) inhibition. cAMP-dependent protein kinase induces a temporal shift in growth factor-stimulated MAP kinases.

Growth factors stimulate fibroblast cell division by activating the recently identified mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) signaling cascade. In contrast to our previous work (Kahan, K., Seuwen, K., Meloche, S. and Pouysségur, J. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 13369-13375), several reports have suggested that an elevation in intracellular cAMP blocks cell proliferation by attenuating MAP kinase activation. Hence we re-examined the effect of a long term increase in intracellular cAMP and therefore cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activation on the MAP kinase cascade in CCL39 fibroblasts. The concomitant addition of cAMP-elevating agents prostaglandin E, (PGE1) and IBMX did not inhibit the mitogen-mediated activation of p44 MAP kinase. However, a 5-min PGE1/IBMX pretreatment abolished the MAP kinase response, in a manner correlating with the extent of PKA activity. This inhibition was temporal in nature, and while modifying the time course of growth factor-mediated p44 MAP kinase, activation did not diminish the magnitude of the response. Thus the major peak of MAP kinase activity normally present 5 min after alpha-thrombin addition was now evident at 10 min in the presence of PGE1/IBMX. CCL39 cell proliferation is inhibited by elevated cAMP levels. Such an inhibition could reflect either a reduction in the number of cells entering the cell cycle or a delay in the time required to go through the cycle. Bromodeoxyuridine labeling experiments revealed that the cAMP-mediated inhibition of DNA synthesis in CCL39 cells was not due to a delay in S phase entry, but was due to a reduction in the number of cells entering S phase. Thus we conclude that although PKA activation may slightly modify the time course of MAP kinase activation in response to mitogens in CCL39 cells, the PKA-mediated inhibition of cell division occurs through modulation of an intracellular target, distinct from the p42/p44 MAP kinase cascade.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

A winged helix forkhead (FOXD2) tunes sensitivity to cAMP in T lymphocytes through regulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase RIalpha.

Forkhead/winged helix (FOX) transcription factors are essential for control of the cell cycle and metabolism. Here, we show that spleens from Mf2-/- (FOXD2-/-) mice have reduced mRNA (50%) and protein (35%) levels of the RIalpha subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In T cells from Mf2-/- mice, reduced levels of RIalpha translates functionally into approximately 2-fold less sensitivity to cAMP-mediated inhibition of proliferation triggered through the T cell receptor-CD3 complex. In Jurkat T cells, FOXD2 overexpression increased the endogenous levels of RIalpha through induction of the RIalpha1b promoter. FOXD2 overexpression also increased the sensitivity of the promoter to cAMP. Finally, co-expression experiments demonstrated that protein kinase Balpha/Akt1 work together with FOXD2 to induce the RIalpha1b promoter (10-fold) and increase endogenous RIalpha protein levels further. Taken together, our data indicate that FOXD2 is a physiological regulator of the RIalpha1b promoter in vivo working synergistically with protein kinase B to induce cAMP-dependent protein kinase RIalpha expression, which increases cAMP sensitivity and sets the threshold for cAMP-mediated negative modulation of T cell activation.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Kinetic studies of cAMP-induced allosteric changes in mutants T127I, S128A, and T127I/S128A of the cAMP receptor protein from Escherichia coli.

The cAMP receptor protein (CRP) regulates the expression of several genes in Escherichia coli. The protein is a homodimer, and each monomer is folded into two distinct structural domains. After allosteric transitions resulting from the binding of cAMP, CRP specifically binds to DNA and activates transcription. We have used stopped-flow fluorometry measurements of CRP mutants bearing amino acid substitutions T127I, S128A, and T127I/S128A to study the kinetics of conformational changes in the protein induced by cAMP binding. Amino acid substitutions at positions 127 and 128 were chosen because these residues play a crucial role in interdomain and intersubunit communication during allosteric transition. Using N-iodoacetylaminoethyl-5-naphthylamine-1-sulfonic acid-labeled Cys178, localized in the protein helix-turn helix motif, we observed conformational changes in the helix-turn helix, localized in the C-terminal domain, upon binding of cAMP to high affinity sites (CRP.cAMP2) in the N-terminal domain of CRP. The rate constants for the forward and backward conformational changes depend on the amino acid substitution: kc = 3.62 s-1 and k-c = 3.13s-1 for CRP T127I and kc = 0.42 s-1 and k-c = 0.78 s-1 for CRP S128A. These values can be compared with kc = 9.7 s-1 and k-c = 0.31 s-1 for wild-type CRP. The observed conformational changes can be described by the sequential model of allostery, with the amino acid substitutions influencing the allosteric changes. In the case of the double mutant, the observed rate constant of cAMP binding supports the suggestion that this unligated mutant possesses the structure that is close to the allosteric conformation necessary for promoter binding. The results of intrinsic fluorescence measurements suggest that the formation of the CRP.cAMP4 complex results from displacement of equilibrium between the two forms of the CRP.cAMP2 complex in the mutants studied, similar to wild-type CRP. The observed conformational changes occur according to a concerted model of allostery, and isomerization equilibrium between the two CRP states depends on the amino acid substitution. The data presented in this study indicate that Ser128 and Thr127 in CRP play an important role in the kinetics of intramolecular transitions triggered by cAMP.

Allosteric Site↗

The cAMP pathway in combination with BMP2 regulates Phox2a transcription via cAMP response element binding sites.

Combined BMP2 and cAMP signaling induces the catechola-minergic lineage in neural crest (NC) cultures by increasing expression of the proneural transcription factor Phox2a, in a cAMP response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB)-mediated mechanism. To determine whether CREB acts directly on Phox2a transcription induced by BMP2+cAMP-elevating agent IBMX, transient transfections of hPhox2a-reporter constructs were performed in avian NC cultures and murine, catecholaminergic CAD cells. Although BMP2+IBMX increased endogenous Phox2a expression, the 7.5-kb hPhox2a reporters expressing either luciferase or DsRed1-E5 fluorescent protein were unresponsive to BMP2+IBMX, but active in both cell types. Cell sorting of fluorescence-positive NC cells expressing the 7.5-kb hPhox2a fluorescent timer reporter differentiated to equal numbers of catecholaminergic cells as fluorescence-negative cells, suggesting inappropriate transcription from the transfected hPhox2a promoter. NC or CAD cells treated with histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A and BMP2+IBMX display increased endogenous Phox2a transcription and prolonged CREB phosphorylation, indicating Phox2a chromatin remodeling is linked to CREB activation. Chromatin immunoprecipitations employing CREB, CREB-binding protein, and acetylated H4 antibodies identified two CRE half-sites at -5.5 kb in the murine Phox2a promoter, which is also conserved in the human promoter. Proximal to the CRE half-sites, within a 170-bp region, are E-box and CCAAT binding sites, also conserved in mouse and human genes. This 170-bp promoter region confers cAMP, BMP2, and enhanced BMP2+cAMP regulation to Phox2a-luciferase reporters. We conclude these CREs are functional, with CREB directly activating Phox2a transcription. Because the E-box binds bHLH proteins like ASH1 induced in NC cells by BMP2, we propose this novel 170-bp cis-acting element is a composite site, mediating the synergistic regulation by BMP2+cAMP on Phox2a transcription.

Animals↗

The species-specific differences in the cAMP regulation of the tissue-type plasminogen activator gene between rat, mouse and human is caused by a one-nucleotide substitution in the cAMP-responsive element of the promoters.

In rat ovarian cells tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) is induced by gonadotropins, by a cAMP-dependent pathway and the induction correlates with the time of follicle rupture in vivo. However, in mice, gonadotropins induce the related but distinct protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). Comparison of rat, mouse and human tPA genes reveal that there is a species-specific difference in the promoter that could explain the difference in regulation of the tPA gene between these species. At the position where the rat promoter contains a consensus cAMP-responsive element (CRE), the mouse and human counterparts contains a CRE variant with a one-nucleotide substitution. Transient transfection experiments of rat glial and granulosa cells demonstrated that reporter constructs driven by rat but not mouse or human tPA promoters were efficiently induced by the cAMP-inducing agents forskolin or follicle-stimulating hormone. Following the conversion of the mouse and human CRE-like sequences to rat consensus CRE these promoters became cAMP responsive. In contrast the rat promoter, following conversion of the consensus CRE to the corresponding mouse and human CRE-like sequence, lost the ability to efficiently respond to cAMP. Deoxyribonuclease I footprinting analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to examine interactions of nuclear factors with the consensus and variant CRE. Compared to rat CRE, the mouse and human CRE-like sequences had a drastically reduced binding affinity for a nuclear factor identified as the cAMP-responsive element binding protein. Thus the inability of the mouse and human tPA promoters to respond efficiently to forskolin and follicle-stimulation hormone seem to be due to the inability of these CRE-like sequences to efficiently bind transcription factor CRE binding protein.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

The spv virulence operon of Salmonella typhimurium LT2 is regulated negatively by the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-cAMP receptor protein system.

The cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein (CRP) was found to play a role in the growth phase regulation of the spv operon on the high-molecular-weight virulence plasmid of Salmonella typhimurium LT2. By using a lacZ reporter transcriptional fusion to the spvB structural gene on the single-copy virulence plasmid, it was found that while spvB transcription was induced in stationary-phase cultures, the induced level of expression was lower than that reported for the spv system in other serovars of Salmonella. Surprisingly, inactivation of the gene encoding the positive activator SpvR resulted in only a threefold reduction in spvB transcription. In contrast, spvB transcription in stationary-phase cultures was enhanced by 10-fold in mutants deficient in crp-encoded CRP or cya-encoded adenylate cyclase. Wild-type (i.e., 10-fold-lower) levels of spvB expression were restored by providing active copies of crp or cya on recombinant plasmids. Enhanced spvB transcription was not seen in crp or cya mutants in the absence of a functional spvR positive regulatory gene, showing that the cAMP-CRP system acted on spvB expression either in conjunction with or via SpvR. A lacZ transcriptional fusion to spvR could not be induced in stationary-phase cultures in the absence of functional SpvR, regardless of the cAMP-CRP status of the cells. When SpvR was provided in trans, transcription of the spvR-lacZ fusion was induced to similar levels in stationary-phase cultures with and without cAMP-CRP. These data are consistent with spvR being poorly transcribed from the single-copy virulence plasmid in S. typhimurium LT2 and with a suppression of this defect via inactivation of the cAMP-CRP system. The physiological significance of cAMP-CRP involvement in spv expression is discussed.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Estradiol stimulation of pituitary cAMP production and cAMP binding.

The role of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) in the modulation of N6,O2'-dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP)-induced hormone release was examined in pituitary monolayer cultures prepared from intact and ovariectomized female rats. Incubations with 5 mM DBcAMP for 4 h significantly (P less than 0.05) stimulated both luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) release in pituitary cultures prepared from rats at diestrus and from cycling rats at random stages of the estrous cycle. However, DBcAMP failed to stimulate the LH or PRL release in cultures prepared from ovariectomized rats in which the basal LH and PRL release was approximately three-fold and one-tenth of that in cycling rats, respectively. Pretreatment with 1 nM E2 augmented or restored the DBcAMP-induced LH release but not the DBcAMP-induced PRL release in cultures prepared from cycling or ovariectomized rats, respectively. Furthermore, E2 treatment alone of cultures prepared from cycling rats significantly increased intracellular cAMP concentrations and cAMP-binding activities by at least twofold over that of the non-E2-treated controls. The E2-induced rise in cellular cAMP concentration preceded the E2-induced rise in cAMP binding. These results indicate that the priming effect of E2 on pituitary LH responsiveness to DBcAMP is associated with increased cAMP production and cAMP binding.

Animals↗

Role of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in cAMP-mediated vasodilation.

In this study, the role of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) in cAMP-dependent relaxation was assessed in the isolated-perfused rat lung using a PKA inhibitor, Rp-cAMPS, 8-bromo-cAMP (8-BrcAMP), and the diterpene activator of adenylate cyclase (AC), forskolin (FSK). A role for K+ channels was also assessed with the nonselective K+ channel blocker, tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10 mM), and an ATP-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor, glibenclamide (GLI, 100 microM). Both 8-BrcAMP (0.1-1.0 mM) and RSK (0.1-10 microM) dose-dependently attenuated the peak pressor response to alveolar hypoxia (HPR). Rp-cAMPS potentiated the HPR and attenuated 8-BrcAMP-mediated vasodilation but had no effect on FSK-mediated vasodilation. FSK-mediated vasodilation was not mimicked by 1,9-dideoxy-FSK, which is biologically inactive on AC but alters K+ channels identically to FSK, nor was it attenuated by the platelet-activating factor antagonist SRI 63-441 or the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. TEA, but not GLI, attenuated FSK-mediated vasodilation. Similarly, TEA attenuated 8-BrcAMP-mediated vasodilation. These results support roles for PKA and indirect gating of a non-ATP-sensitive K+ channel in mediating cAMP-dependent pulmonary vasodilation.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Effect of NaF on cAMP accumulation, cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in, and amylase secretion from, rat parotid gland cells.

Stimulation of amylase secretion from parotid glands by beta-adrenergic agonists is mediated by the activation of adenylate cyclase and the resultant increase in cellular cAMP. Since NaF is known to increase adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP accumulation in intact cells, we investigated whether it would stimulate amylase secretion from isolated rat parotid gland cells. The results provide evidence that the addition of NaF (0.01-10 mmol/L) increased cAMP concentration (1.5-2.8-fold) in, and amylase secretion (16-93%) from, isolated parotid gland acinar cells. NaF was found to increase cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratios (51-84%) in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The data suggest that the stimulation of amylase secretion from parotid gland cells by NaF may be mediated by an increase in the cellular cAMP concentration, which exerts its effect, at least in part, by increasing the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Amylases↗

A link of Ca2+ to cAMP oscillations in Dictyostelium: the calmodulin antagonist W-7 potentiates cAMP relay and transiently inhibits the acidic Ca2+-store.

BACKGROUND: During early differentiation of Dictyostelium the attractant cAMP is released periodically to induce aggregation of the cells. Here we pursue the question whether pulsatile cAMP signaling is coupled to a basic Ca2+-oscillation. RESULTS: We found that the calmodulin antagonist W-7 transiently enhanced cAMP spikes. We show that W-7 acts on an acidic Ca2+-store: it abolished ATP-dependent vesicular acidification, inhibited V-type H+ATPase activity more potently than the weaker antagonist W-5 and caused vesicular Ca2+-leakage. Concanamycin A, an inhibitor of the V-type H+-pump, blocked the Ca2+-leakage elicited by W-7 as well as cAMP-oscillations in the presence of W-7. Concanamycin A caused an increase of the cytosolic Ca2+-concentration whereas W-7 did not. In case of the latter, Ca2+ was secreted by the cells. In accord with our hypothesis that the link from Ca2+ to cAMP synthesis is mediated by a Ca2+-dependent phospholipase C we found that W-7 was not active in the phospholipase C knockout mutant. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the potentiation of cAMP relay by W-7 is due to a transient inhibition of the acidic Ca2+-store. The inhibition of the proton pump by W-7 causes a leakage of Ca2+ that indirectly stimulates adenylyl cyclase activity via phospholipase C.

Animals↗

Interactions of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine, with prostaglandin E2, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and dibutyryl cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in cAMP and steroid production by neonatal rat ovaries in vitro.

The development of responsiveness to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), FSH, LH, and [Bu]2cAMP was examined in whole ovaries isolated from neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats on days 0 (birth), 2, 4, or 6 postpartum. Pairs of ovaries were incubated with these stimuli in the absence or presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine (MIX), a potent phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and accumulations in the medium of cAMP, androstenedione, and estradiol were measured. PGE2 stimulated marked cAMP accumulation on day 0 whereas similar responses to FSH and LH did not develop until days 2 and 4, respectively. No cAMP accumulation was detectable in the absence of MIX. Ovaries gradually acquired the ability to produce both cAMP and steroids in response to FSH and LH over the first postnatal week. No steroid accumulation was measurable in incubations conducted on days 0 or 2; however, steroidogenesis was stimulable in day-4 ovaries by (Bu)2cAMP. PGE2, FSH, and LH also stimulated steroid accumulation on day 4, but only when MIX was present in the incubation, suggesting that high levels of endogenous cAMP can also lead to steroid production. By day 6, all stimuli elicited steroid accumulation in a dose-dependent fashion. MIX potentiated the responses to lower doses of these stimuli but not to the higher doses at this age. In the absence of MIX, LH was approximately 100 times more potent than FSH in stimulating steroid production; however, the two gonadotropins were nearly equipotent in this regard when MIX was present in the incubation. These results support the notion that a cAMP-sensitive steroidogenic apparatus is present in the rat ovary as early as the fourth day postpartum. Because of the marked effects of MIX on gonadotropin-induced steroidogenesis, it may be that modulation of phosphodiesterase activity is one way by which steroidogenesis is regulated in the neonatal rat ovary.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Selective up-regulation of phosphodiesterase-4 cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-specific phosphodiesterase variants by elevated cAMP content in human myometrial cells in culture.

In human myometrium, the modulation of intracellular cAMP content resulting from agonist-mediated stimulation of the receptor-adenylyl cyclase complex is largely influenced by the rate of cAMP hydrolysis by phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes. We have previously shown that the PDE4 family contributes to the predominant cAMP-hydrolyzing activity in human myometrium and that elevation of the PDE4B2 messenger RNA steady state level occurs in pregnant myometrial tissue. In the present study, we used a model of human myometrial cells in culture to determine whether an elevated cAMP concentration could influence PDE expression. As in myometrial tissue, high levels of PDE4 activity were detected in these smooth muscle cells. Long term treatment with 8-bromo-cAMP or forskolin resulted in a selective induction of PDE4B and of PDE4D short form messenger RNA variants. Concurrently, an increased immunoreactive signal for the PDE4B- and PDE4D-related isoenzymes was detected. This induction was consistent with an observed significant up-regulation of PDE4 activity. Accordingly, our results demonstrate that in human cultured myometrial cells, cAMP-elevating agents manipulate PDE4 activity through selective induction of synthesis of PDE4B and PDE4D short forms. Such a mechanism might have physiological importance during pregnancy by dampening hormonal stimulation and could thereby be involved in tolerance to the tocolytic effect of beta-adrenoceptor agonists.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

The expression of cAMP-dependent protein kinase subunits in primary rat hepatocyte cultures. Cyclic AMP down-regulates its own effector system by decreasing the amount of catalytic subunit and increasing the mRNAs for the inhibitory (R) subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase subunit expression was studied during the first 35 h of primary culture of hepatocytes isolated from rats fed a protein restricted diet. In the absence of elevated cAMP the ratio between regulatory (RI + RII) and catalytic (C) subunits was constant. There was an increase of RI and a decrease of RII, the RI/RII ratio rising from 1 to 2.4 during the 35 h of culturing studied. This disproportionate expression of RI was reflected in an increase of RI alpha mRNA relative to RII alpha mRNA. The increase of liver RI previously noted after amino acid feeding of protein starved rats was thus reproduced when hepatocytes from such animals were cultured in an amino acid rich medium. When the cell cAMP level was chronically elevated by adding glucagon/isobutylmethylxanthine at the time of seeding, the C level decreased by more than 50% in a few hours. The concentration of C alpha mRNA was not affected. The elevated cAMP also led to a transient increase of RI alpha- and RII alpha mRNA. The effects of glucagon could be reproduced by cAMP analogs. The cAMP-induced down-regulation of C without concomitant down-regulation of R led to an increased R/C ratio. The decreased C and the increased R/C ratio both ensure that the hepatocytes will show a reduced kinase activation in response to a second challenge with cAMP (i.e. show hysteresis).

Animals↗

Different mechanisms are involved in cAMP-mediated induction of mRNAs for subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinases.

The present study addresses possible mechanisms through which cAMP mediates its effects on mRNA levels for the subunits of protein kinase A (PKA) and the cellular protooncogene, c-fos. Messenger RNAs for the PKA subunits (RI alpha, RII alpha, RII beta, and C alpha) were regulated by cAMP with similar kinetics in Sertoli cells. However, effects of cAMP on the PKA mRNAs were slow compared to a well characterized cAMP responsive gene, c-fos. The magnitude of stimulation was dramatically different between the various PKA subunits, in that RII beta mRNA increased more than 50-fold while the mRNAs for the other subunits were induced only two to four times. Separation of nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA demonstrated that mRNAs for PKA subunits were stimulated to the same extent in these two cellular compartments. The more rapid induction of c-fos mRNA by cAMP, compared to the mRNA for RII beta, was also seen at the level of transcription. Maximal transcription rate for c-fos, RI alpha, and C alpha were observed after 30 min, whereas that for RII beta was increasing during the 2-h period examined. Transcriptional activation of the RI alpha gene also appeared faster than that for RII beta. When Sertoli cells were incubated with 8-(4-chlorophenylthio) cAMP and cycloheximide, a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis, we observed a super-induction of the mRNAs for c-fos (10-fold) and RI alpha (2-fold).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein isoforms by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

The cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) mediates transcriptional activation of genes in response to the cAMP signal transduction pathway. There are two different isoforms of CREB, which are generated by alternative RNA splicing. There is evidence that the two isoforms may have different biological activities. As the longer isoform (CREB341) contains a potential phosphorylation site that is not present in the shorter isoform (CREB327), we examined the possible differential phosphorylation of the two CREB isoforms. Recombinant CREB was prepared and used as substrate for phosphorylation by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase in vitro. Phosphopeptide mapping and mutagenesis studies demonstrated that CREB341 contains two sites, serine 133 and serine 98, that can be phosphorylated in vitro by the catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In contrast, CREB327 contains only a single phosphorylation site at serine 119 (equivalent position to serine 133 in CREB341). A kinase titration experiment demonstrated that serine 98 of CREB341 was phosphorylated only at relatively high concentrations of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Transient transfection studies were used to test for any possible function of the phosphorylation of serine 98 of CREB341. These studies used GAL4-CREB fusion proteins. We found that mutation of serine 98 to alanine (which would block phosphorylation) has little or no effect on the ability of the CREB fusion protein to activate transcription. These findings suggest that differences in the biological activity of the two CREB isoforms are probably not mediated by differential phosphorylation by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Induction of terminal differentiation of Dictyostelium by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and opposing effects of intracellulr and extracellular cAMP on stalk cell differentiation.

Expression of the catalytic (C) subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) of Dictyostelium under the control of heterologous, cell-type-specific promoters causes ectopic terminal differentiation. When expressed under the control of a prespore-specific promoter, development is accelerated, to yield highly aberrant fruiting bodies that contain a basal mass of spore cells surrounding a central stalk-like structure. When expressed under the control of a prestalk-specific promoter, development arrests much earlier, at the tight mound stage. Prestalk cells move to the apices of these mounds, apparently normally, but no tip is formed. Most of the prestalk cells remain arrested in their development but there are a few isolated stalk cells scattered within such mounds. We show that extracellular cAMP represses stalk cell-specific gene expression in cells where the kinase is constitutively active, suggesting that inhibition of stalk cell differentiation by cAMP in normal cells (Berks and Kay, 1988) occurs because of an effect of extracellular cAMP on an intracellular signalling pathway independent of PKA. We propose a scheme whereby two separate events, a rise in intracellular cAMP levels and a fall in extracellular cAMP concentration, are required to induce stalk cell differentiation.

Animals↗