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Regulation of cocaine reward by CREB.

Cocaine regulates the transcription factor CREB (adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate response element binding protein) in rat nucleus accumbens, a brain region that is important for addiction. Overexpression of CREB in this region decreases the rewarding effects of cocaine and makes low doses of the drug aversive. Conversely, overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant CREB increases the rewarding effects of cocaine. Altered transcription of dynorphin likely contributes to these effects: Its expression is increased by overexpression of CREB and decreased by overexpression of mutant CREB. Moreover, blockade of kappa opioid receptors (on which dynorphin acts) antagonizes the negative effect of CREB on cocaine reward. These results identify an intracellular cascade-culminating in gene expression-through which exposure to cocaine modifies subsequent responsiveness to the drug.

Animals↗

Mediation by a CREB family transcription factor of NGF-dependent survival of sympathetic neurons.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and other neurotrophins support survival of neurons through processes that are incompletely understood. The transcription factor CREB is a critical mediator of NGF-dependent gene expression, but whether CREB family transcription factors regulate expression of genes that contribute to NGF-dependent survival of sympathetic neurons is unknown. CREB-mediated gene expression was both necessary for NGF-dependent survival and sufficient on its own to promote survival of sympathetic neurons. Moreover, expression of Bcl-2 was activated by NGF and other neurotrophins by a CREB-dependent transcriptional mechanism. Overexpression of Bcl-2 reduced the death-promoting effects of CREB inhibition. Together, these data support a model in which neurotrophins promote survival of neurons, in part through a mechanism involving CREB family transcription factor-dependent expression of genes encoding prosurvival factors.

Animals↗

Regulation of CREB phosphorylation in the suprachiasmatic nucleus by light and a circadian clock.

Mammalian circadian rhythms are regulated by a pacemaker within the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus. The molecular mechanisms controlling the synchronization of the circadian pacemaker are unknown; however, immediate early gene (IEG) expression in the SCN is tightly correlated with entrainment of SCN-regulated rhythms. Antibodies were isolated that recognize the activated, phosphorylated form of the transcription factor cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB). Within minutes after exposure of hamsters to light, CREB in the SCN became phosphorylated on the transcriptional regulatory site, Ser133. CREB phosphorylation was dependent on circadian time: CREB became phosphorylated only at times during the circadian cycle when light induced IEG expression and caused phase shifts of circadian rhythms. These results implicate CREB in neuronal signaling in the hypothalamus and suggest that circadian clock gating of light-regulated molecular responses in the SCN occurs upstream of phosphorylation of CREB.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Functional interaction between the human cytomegalovirus 86-kilodalton IE2 protein and the cellular transcription factor CREB.

The 86-kDa IE2 protein (IE86) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been described as a promiscuous transactivator of viral, as well as cellular, gene expression. Investigation of the mechanism used by IE86 to activate gene expression from the early UL112/113 promoter of HCMV revealed the existence of three binding sites for IE86 located between nucleotides -290 and -120 relative to the transcriptional start site (H. Arlt, D. Lang, S. Gebert, and T. Stamminger, J. Virol. 68:4117-4125, 1994). As shown previously, deletion of these target sites resulted in a reduction of IE86-mediated transactivation by approximately 70%. The remaining promoter, however, could still be stimulated about 40-fold, indicating the presence of an additional responsive element within these sequences. Here, we provide evidence that a binding site for the cellular transcription factor CREB can also act as a target for IE86 transactivation. By DNase I protection analysis, a binding sequence for CREB could be detected between nucleotides -78 and -56 within the respective promoter region. After in vitro mutagenesis of this CREB-binding site within the context of the entire UL112/113 promoter, a marked reduction in transactivation levels was evident. Moreover, when individual CREB-binding sites were positioned upstream of a minimal, TATA box-containing UL112/113 promoter, they were able to confer strong IE86 responsiveness, whereas a mutated sequence did not exert any effect. In far Western blot and pull-down experiments, a direct interaction of IE86 with the cellular transcription factor CREB could be observed. The in vivo relevance of this in vitro interaction was confirmed by using various GAL4 fusion proteins in the presence or absence of IE86 which revealed a strong activation only in the presence of both a GAL4-CREB fusion and IE86. This shows that at least one specific member of the ATF/CREB family of transcription factors is involved in mediating transactivation by the HCMV IE86 protein.

Base Sequence↗

The cellular transcription factor CREB corresponds to activating transcription factor 47 (ATF-47) and forms complexes with a group of polypeptides related to ATF-43.

Promoter elements containing the sequence motif CGTCA are important for a variety of inducible responses at the transcriptional level. Multiple cellular factors specifically bind to these elements and are encoded by a multigene family. Among these factors, polypeptides termed activating transcription factor 43 (ATF-43) and ATF-47 have been purified from HeLa cells and a factor referred to as cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) has been isolated from PC12 cells and rat brain. We demonstrated that CREB and ATF-47 are identical and that CREB and ATF-43 form protein-protein complexes. We also found that the cis requirements for stable DNA binding by ATF-43 and CREB are different. Using antibodies to ATF-43 we have identified a group of polypeptides (ATF-43) in the size range from 40 to 43 kDa. ATF-43 polypeptides are related by their reactivity with anti-ATF-43, DNA-binding specificity, complex formation with CREB, heat stability, and phosphorylation by protein kinase A. Certain cell types vary in their ATF-43 complement, suggesting that CREB activity is modulated in a cell-type-specific manner through interaction with ATF-43. ATF-43 polypeptides do not appear simply to correspond to the gene products of the ATF multigene family, suggesting that the size of the ATF family at the protein level is even larger than predicted from cDNA-cloning studies.

Activating Transcription Factors↗

Characterization of motifs which are critical for activity of the cyclic AMP-responsive transcription factor CREB.

Cyclic AMP mediates the hormonal stimulation of a number of eukaryotic genes by directing the protein kinase A (PK-A)-dependent phosphorylation of transcription factor CREB. We have previously determined that although phosphorylation at Ser-133 is critical for induction, this site does not appear to participate directly in transactivation. To test the hypothesis that CREB ultimately activates transcription through domains that are distinct from the PK-A site, we constructed a series of CREB mutants and evaluated them by transient assays in F9 teratocarcinoma cells. Remarkably, a glutamine-rich region near the N terminus appeared to be important for PK-A-mediated induction of CREB since removal of this domain caused a marked reduction in CREB activity. A second region consisting of a short acidic motif (DLSSD) C terminal to the PK-A site also appeared to synergize with the phosphorylation motif to permit transcriptional activation. Biochemical experiments with purified recombinant CREB protein further demonstrate that the transactivation domain is more sensitive to trypsin digestion than are the DNA-binding and dimerization domains, suggesting that the activator region may be structured to permit interactions with other proteins in the RNA polymerase II complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Circadian regulation of CREB transcription factor in mouse esophagus.

Very little is known about the circadian regulation of cell entry into the S and M phases of the cell cycle. Yet, in the mouse esophagus, a seven- to ninefold increase in DNA synthesis coincides with nocturnal feeding. The phosphorylation of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), a transcriptional factor, may regulate hypothalamic circadian rhythms in the brain. Here, we investigate the circadian regulation of CREB and Ser-133-phospho-CREB (PCREB) in the mouse esophagus by immunocytochemical and biochemical methods. We found that, during the dark phase, coincident with the onset of feeding and increased DNA synthesis, esophageal CREB and PCREB expression decreased. Although CREB-like immunoreactivity (CREB-lir) was expressed in many different cell types, it was concentrated in the mucosa, particularly in the replicating basal cell layer. The injection of epidermal growth factor, at a dosage known to maximally stimulate esophageal DNA synthesis in a 4- to 8-h period, rapidly decreased PCREB levels within 10 min of injection. We speculate that PCREB-lir may be involved in the circadian regulation of cell cycle events in the intact mouse esophagus.

Animals↗

Delivery of a cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response element-binding protein (creb) mutant to seminiferous tubules results in impaired spermatogenesis.

FSH binding to Sertoli cells is required for optimal production of sperm in mammals. The cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is a major mediator of FSH-induced changes in gene expression. To determine whether CREB is required for spermatogenesis, an adenovirus encoding a phosphorylation-defective CREB mutant (AdCREBm1) was used to inhibit CREB activity in Sertoli cells. Addition of AdCREBm1 to primary rat Sertoli cell cultures completely abolished induction of the CREB-regulated c-fos gene. Injection of an adenovirus encoding ss-galactosidase into the rat testis seminiferous tubules in vivo demonstrated that predominately Sertoli cells were infected by adenovirus. AdCREBm1-directed expression of CREBm1 in seminiferous tubules did not affect Sertoli cell viability, but resulted in the apoptosis of meiotic spermatocyte germ cells within 4 days of adenovirus injection into seminiferous tubules. Disrupted spermatogenesis, defined by at least a 75% reduction of round spermatids, was observed in 42 +/- 5.8% of seminiferous tubules 14 days after AdCREBm1 infection, whereas using this criteria, testes injected with a control adenovirus did not display disrupted spermatogenesis. These data demonstrate that AdCREBm1 causes apoptosis and elimination of germ cells and suggest that CREB is required to produce a Sertoli cell-derived factor that is critical for germ cell survival.

Animals↗

Inducible binding of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-responsive element binding protein (CREB) to a cAMP-responsive promoter in vivo.

In general, DNA-binding factors that activate gene transcription are thought to do so via reversible interaction with DNA. However, most studies, largely performed in vitro, suggest that the transcriptional activator, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), is exceptional in that it is constitutively bound to the promoter, where its phosphorylation leads to the recruitment of CREB-binding protein (CBP) to form a CREB/CBP/promoter complex. We have studied how CREB interacts with DNA in vivo to regulate the cAMP-responsive gene encoding human CRH (hCRH). Protein-DNA complexes were cross-linked in cells expressing the endogenous hCRH gene by exposure to a 10 nsec pulse of high-energy UV-laser light, followed by immunoaffinity purification of CREB-DNA complexes. Binding of CREB to a fragment of the hCRH promoter containing a canonical, functional cAMP response element was absent in untreated cells, but was specifically induced after activation of the protein kinase A pathway with forskolin. These data indicate that, in vivo, CREB, like the majority of other DNA-binding transcriptional activators, undergoes signal-mediated promoter interaction.

Binding Sites↗

Molecular mechanisms of stress-induced proenkephalin gene regulation: CREB interacts with the proenkephalin gene in the mouse hypothalamus and is phosphorylated in response to hyperosmolar stress.

We have established a transgenic model to facilitate the study of stress-induced gene regulation in the hypothalamus. This model, which uses a human proenkephalin-beta-galactosidase fusion gene, readily permits anatomic and cellular colocalization of stress-regulated immediate early gene products (e.g. Fos) and other transcription factors [e.g. cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)] with the product of a potential target gene. Moreover, Fos provides a marker of cellular activation that is independent of the transgene. Hypertonic saline stress induced Fos in almost all cells in the PVN that exhibited basal expression of the proenkephalin transgene; however, all cells in which the transgene was activated by stress also expressed Fos. CREB was found in essentially all neurons. Gel shift analysis with and without antisera to Fos and CREB showed that AP-1 binding activity, containing Fos protein, was induced by hyperosmotic stress. However, Fos was not detected binding to the proenkephalin second messenger-inducible enhancer even in hypothalamic cell extracts from stressed animals. In contrast, CREB formed specific complexes with both the proenkephalin enhancer and a cAMP- and calcium-regulated element (CaRE) within the c-fos gene. Moreover, we found that hypertonic saline induced CREB phosphorylation in cells that express the transgene within the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus. These results suggest a model in which proenkephalin gene expression in the paraventricular nucleus is regulated by CREB in response to hypertonic stress.

Animals↗

CREB activation induced by mitochondrial dysfunction triggers triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Several mitochondrial pathologies are characterized by lipid redistribution and microvesicular cell phenotypes resulting from triglyceride accumulation in lipid-metabolizing tissues. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal fat distribution induced by mitochondrial dysfunction remain poorly understood. In this study, we show that inhibition of respiratory complex III by antimycin A as well as inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis trigger the accumulation of triglyceride vesicles in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. We also show that treatment with antimycin A triggers CREB activation in these cells. To better delineate how mitochondrial dysfunction induces triglyceride accumulation in preadipocytes, we developed a low-density DNA microarray containing 89 probes, which allows gene expression analysis for major effectors and/or markers of adipogenesis. We thus determined gene expression profiles in 3T3-L1 cells incubated with antimycin A and compared the patterns obtained with differentially expressed genes during the course of in vitro adipogenesis induced by a standard pro-adipogenic cocktail. After an 8-day treatment, a set of 39 genes was found to be differentially expressed in cells treated with antimycin A, among them CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha), C/EBP homologous protein-10 (CHOP-10), mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDmit), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). We also demonstrate that overexpression of two dominant negative mutants of the cAMP-response element-binding protein CREB (K-CREB and M1-CREB) and siRNA transfection, which disrupt the factor activity and expression, respectively, inhibit antimycin-A-induced triglyceride accumulation. Furthermore, CREB knockdown with siRNA also downregulates the expression of several genes that contain cAMP-response element (CRE) sites in their promoter, among them one that is potentially involved in synthesis of triglycerides such as SCD1. These results highlight a new role for CREB in the control of triglyceride metabolism during the adaptative response of preadipocytes to mitochondrial dysfunction.

3T3-L1 Cells↗

DNA polymerase beta gene expression: the promoter activator CREB-1 is upregulated in Chinese hamster ovary cells by DNA alkylating agent-induced stress.

The DNA alkylating agent N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) upregulates the level of the base excision DNA repair enzyme DNA polymerase beta (beta-pol) in several mammalian cell types. Previous studies suggested that beta-pol expression is upregulated via a transcriptional mechanism that requires: the specific cAMP response element (CRE) in the beta-pol core promoter; a phosphorylated form of CRE-binding protein-1 (CREB-1); and cellular protein kinase A activity. A large family of CRE-binding proteins, ie., the ATF/CREB factors, has been identified in various cell types. This study further examines the role of CRE-binding proteins in regulating beta-pol expression through study of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. In CHO cell nuclear extract, CREB-1 and ATF-1 are the predominant CRE-binding protein family members recognizing the CRE in the beta-pol core promoter. The concentration of CREB-1 increases strongly in CHO cells after exposure to MNNG. In contrast, the level of ATF-1 does not change after MNNG treatment. Recombinant expression of CREB-1 in CHO cells is sufficient to increase expression of the endogenous beta-pol gene, even in the absence of MNNG exposure. These results indicate that beta-pol gene expression in CHO cells can be upregulated by CREB-1 and that the activation of beta-pol gene expression in response to DNA alkylating agent exposure involves a strong increase in the level of CREB-1.

Activating Transcription Factor 1↗

CREB, memory enhancement and the treatment of memory disorders: promises, pitfalls and prospects.

The treatment of memory disorders, such as the gradual weakening of memory with age, the ravages of Alzheimer's disease and the cognitive deficits in various forms of mental retardation, may greatly benefit from a better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of memory formation. There is increasing interest in the possibility of pharmacologically enhancing learning and memory even in the absence of specific anatomically evident pathology. Substantial evidence in experimental systems ranging from molluscs to humans indicates that the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) is a core component of the molecular switch that converts short- to long-term memory. Recent studies have greatly strengthened and refined our understanding of the role of CREB in learning and memory in mammals, in addition to providing greater insight into the molecular mechanisms of CREB regulation and function. This involvement of CREB and the upstream signalling pathways leading to its activation in learning-associated plasticity makes them attractive targets for drugs aimed at improving memory function, in both diseased and healthy individuals. However, CREB and its close relatives cAMP response element modulator and activating transcription factor-1 are ubiquitous proteins with several critical functions. This creates hurdles that the authors believe may limit the usefulness of CREB per se as a target for the development of memory-enhancing drugs, and focus on components of the upstream signalling pathways or on specific downstream targets will be required.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

CREB regulates AChE-R-induced proliferation of human glioblastoma cells.

The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) response element-binding protein, CREB, often modulates stress responses. Here, we report that CREB suppresses the glioblastoma proliferative effect of the stress-induced acetylcholinesterase variant, AChE-R. In human U87MG glioblastoma cells, AChE-R formed a triple complex with protein kinase C (PKC) epsilon and the scaffold protein RACK1, enhanced PKCepsilon phosphorylation, and facilitated BrdU incorporation. Either overexpressed CREB, or antisense destruction of AChE-R mRNA, PKC, or protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors-but not CREB combined with PKC inhibition suppressed-this proliferation, suggesting that CREB's repression of this process involves a PKC-mediated pathway, whereas impaired CREB regulation allows AChE-R-induced, PKA-mediated proliferation of glioblastoma tumors.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Changes of CREB in rat hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens during three phases of morphine induced conditioned place preference in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) in hippocampus, PFC (prefrontal cortex) and NAc (nucleus accumbens) during three phases of morphine induced CPP (conditioned place preference) in rats, and to elucidate the role of CREB during the progress of conditioned place preference. METHODS: Morphine induced CPP acquisition, extinction and drug primed reinstatement model was established, and CREB expression in each brain area was measured by Western Blot methods. RESULTS: Eight alternating injections of morphine (10 mg/kg) induced CPP, and 8 d saline extinction training that extinguished CPP. CPP was reinstated following a priming injection of morphine (2.5 mg/kg). During the phases of CPP acquisition and reinstatement, the level of CREB expression was significantly changed in different brain areas. CONCLUSION: It was proved that CPP model can be used as an effective tool to investigate the mechanisms underlying drug-induced reinstatement of drug seeking after extinction, and that morphine induced CPP and drug primed reinstatement may involve activation of the transcription factor CREB in several brain areas, suggesting that the CREB and its target gene regulation pathway may mediate the basic mechanism underlying opioid dependence and its drug seeking behavior.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Multisite phosphorylation of the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) by a diversity of protein kinases.

The prevailing view of stimulus-induced activation of the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) presumes phosphorylation at serine-133. Although, phosphorylation of this residue seems to be necessary, it is not sufficient to trigger CREB-driven transcription, indicating that other phosphoserine-133-independent mechanisms are required for full activation of CREB. One of these additional regulatory mechanisms influencing the transcriptional state of CREB may involve multiple phosphorylation events on other phosphoacceptor sites in the protein. This review focuses on the phosphorylation modifications of CREB by distinct protein kinases and discusses the possible implications for the function of CREB.

Animals↗

CREB phosphorylation promotes nerve cell survival.

The cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) is a posttranslationally activated transcription factor that has been implicated in numerous brain functions including cell survival. In this study we investigated whether CREB overexpression using transient transfection of a pAAV/CMV-CREB plasmid altered neuronal cells' susceptibility to apoptosis. We found that elevated CREB protein inhibited apoptosis induced by okadaic acid. At least part of this effect is critically dependent on prolonged Ser133 phosphorylation, as a directed mutation at this site decreased CREB-induced protection. These results suggest that CREB is a survival factor for neuronal cells and that treatments aimed at augmenting CREB phosphorylation in the brain may be neuroprotective.

Animals↗

[Alteration of cAMP-mediated signal transduction in cerebral ischemia--binding activity of PKA and phosphorylation of CREB].

Binding of cAMP to the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is an essential step for cAMP-mediated signal transduction including phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). In the present study, binding activity of PKA with cAMP and CREB phosphorylation were examined in rat focal brain ischemia induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 1.5 hours followed by various time of recirculation. Binding activity of PKA with cAMP was progressively inhibited during the acute phase of ischemia from the ischemic core to peri-ischemia area. Phosphorylated CREB-positive cells in the ischemic core revealed a significant, but transient increase in number at 3.5 hours of recirculation, followed by a rapid decrease below the control level during the subsequent period. On the other hand, in the peri-ischemia area, the number of phosphorylated CREB-positive cells showed a more marked increase as compared to that in the ischemic core, and the increase continued until 48 hours of recirculation with a tendency for gradual decline. Persistent enhancement of CREB phosphorylation may thus be closely related to the neuronal viability and neuroprotective mechanisms, whereas rapid disappearance of CREB phosphorylation following ischemic insult may clearly precede neuronal death.

Animals↗