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MSK1 and MSK2 are required for the mitogen- and stress-induced phosphorylation of CREB and ATF1 in fibroblasts.

Using mouse knockouts for mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase 1 (MSK1) and MSK2 and a double knockout of both MSK1 and MSK2, we show that these protein kinases are required for the stress-induced phosphorylation of transcription factors CREB and ATF1 in primary embryonic fibroblasts. In contrast mitogen-induced phosphorylation of CREB and ATF1 is greatly reduced but not totally abolished. The mitogen- and stress-induced phosphorylation of CREB at Ser133 has been linked to the transcription of several immediate early genes, including c-fos, junB, and egr1. The knockout of both MSK1 and MSK2 resulted in a 50% reduction in c-fos and junB gene transcription in response to anisomycin or UV-C radiation but only a small reduction in response to tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate or epidermal growth factor in fibroblasts. The transcription of egr1 in response to both mitogenic and stress stimuli, as well as stress-induced apoptosis, was unaffected in the MSK1/MSK2 double knockout.

Activating Transcription Factor 1↗

Cyclic AMP inhibits p38 activation via CREB-induced dynein light chain.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 plays a critical role in inflammation, cell cycle progression, differentiation, and apoptosis. The activity of p38 is stimulated by a variety of extracellular stimuli, such as the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and subjected to regulation by other intracellular signaling pathways, including the cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway. Yet the underlying mechanism by which cAMP inhibits p38 activation is unknown. Here we show that the induction of dynein light chain (DLC) by cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is required for cAMP-mediated inhibition of p38 activation. cAMP inhibits p38 activation via the protein kinase A-CREB pathway. The inhibition is mediated by the CREB target gene Dlc, whose protein product, DLC, interferes with the formation of the MKK3/6-p38 complex, thereby suppressing p38 phosphorylation activation by MKK3/6. The inhibition of p38 activation by cAMP leads to suppression of NF-kappaB activity and promotion of apoptosis in response to TNF-alpha. Thus, our results identify DLC as a novel inhibitor of the p38 pathway and provide a molecular mechanism by which cAMP suppresses p38 activation and promotes apoptosis.

Animals↗

Augmented constitutive CREB expression in the nucleus accumbens and striatum may contribute to the altered behavioral response to cocaine of adult mice exposed to cocaine in utero.

Neuroadaptations occurring in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway following recurrent exposure to drugs of abuse have been correlated with a behavioral phenomenon known as behavioral sensitization. We have developed an animal model of prenatal cocaine exposure and, using a postnatal sensitization protocol, have examined the subsequent sensitivity of offspring to cocaine. Pregnant Swiss Webster dams were injected twice daily from embryonic day 8 to 17, inclusive, with cocaine (COC40: administered cocaine HCl at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day, and COC20: administered cocaine HCl at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day), or saline (SAL). The SPF40 group (saline pair-fed), a nutritional control group, was 'pair-fed' with COC40 dams. Activity was recorded for 30 min during a 3-day saline habituation, a 14-day 'initiation' phase, when animals received cocaine (15 mg/kg) or saline every other day, and following a 21-day 'withdrawal' period when all mice were challenged with cocaine. COC40 offspring, as compared with SAL controls, did not habituate to a novel environment, demonstrated increased cocaine-induced stereotypy on Coc 1 (first cocaine injection), and blunted locomotor sensitization on challenge as measured by the percentage of each animal's baseline locomotion. Tissue samples of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and striatum (Str) of all four prenatal treatment groups were examined to determine whether alterations in the transcription factor CREB or glutamate receptor subunit, GluR1, induced by prenatal cocaine treatment may have contributed to the altered behavioral responses. Immunoblot quantitation revealed significantly increased constitutive CREB expression in the NAc and Str of COC40 mice as compared with SAL controls. Such alterations in constitutive CREB levels may contribute to some of the behavioral differences reported in adult mice exposed to cocaine in utero.

Animals↗

Competitive binding of CREB and ATF2 to cAMP/ATF responsive element regulates eNOS gene expression in endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is a critical determinant for vascular homeostasis. We examined the effects of Beraprost sodium (BPS), a stable analogue of prostacyclin, on the eNOS gene expression in the presence of inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1beta in cultured endothelial cells. METHOD AND RESULTS: Exposure of human and bovine endothelial cells to IL-1beta decreased eNOS expression. Western blot analysis using phospho-specific antibodies showed that IL-1beta stimulated p38 MAP kinase and phosphorylated ATF2. BPS inhibited these effects via protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) activation. Transfection assays using site-specific mutation constructs showed that CRE/ATF elements located at -733 and -603 within the human eNOS promoter are necessary for full IL-1beta responsiveness. BPS attenuated the IL-1beta-mediated decrease in eNOS promoter activity and the expression of eNOS gene through PKA pathway. Electrophoretic gel mobility shift assays showed that IL-1beta increased the binding of phosphorylated ATF2 to CRE/ATF. On treatment with BPS, phosphorylated CREB predominantly bound to CRE/ATF. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that IL-1beta and BPS antagonistically regulates the eNOS expression through the activation of p38 and PKA, respectively. Furthermore, the ability to bind both CREB and ATF2 implicates the CRE/ATF sequence as a potential target for multiple signaling pathways in the regulation of the eNOS gene transcription.

Activating Transcription Factor 2↗

The anxious amygdala: CREB signaling and predisposition to anxiety and alcoholism.

The amygdala is believed to play a key role in assigning emotional significance to specific sensory input, and conditions such as anxiety, autism, stress, and phobias are thought to be linked to its abnormal function. Growing evidence has also implicated the amygdala in mediation of the stress-dampening properties of alcohol. In this issue of the JCI, Pandey and colleagues identify a central amygdaloid signaling pathway involved in anxiety-like and alcohol-drinking behaviors in rats. They report that decreased phosphorylation of cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) resulted in decreased neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression in the central amygdala of alcohol-preferring rats, causing high anxiety-like behavior. Alcohol intake by these animals was shown to increase PKA-dependent CREB phosphorylation and thereby NPY expression, subsequently ameliorating anxiety-like behavior. These provocative data suggest that a CREB-dependent neuromechanism underlies high anxiety-like and excessive alcohol-drinking behavior.

Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System↗

CREB activity maintains the survival of cingulate cortical pyramidal neurons in the adult mouse brain.

Cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) activity is known to contribute to important neuronal functions, such as synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. Using a microelectroporation technique to overexpress dominant negative mutant CREB (mCREB) in the adult mouse brain, we found that overexpression of mCREB in the forebrain cortex induced neuronal degeneration. Our findings suggest that constitutively active CREB phosphorylation is important for the survival of mammalian cells in the brain.

Aging↗

Comparative sequence analysis reveals an intricate network among REST, CREB and miRNA in mediating neuronal gene expression.

BACKGROUND: Two distinct classes of regulators have been implicated in regulating neuronal gene expression and mediating neuronal identity: transcription factors such as REST/NRSF (RE1 silencing transcription factor) and CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein), and microRNAs (miRNAs). How these two classes of regulators act together to mediate neuronal gene expression is unclear. RESULTS: Using comparative sequence analysis, here we report the identification of 895 sites (NRSE) as the putative targets of REST. A set of the identified NRSE sites is present in the vicinity of the miRNA genes that are specifically expressed in brain-related tissues, suggesting the transcriptional regulation of these miRNAs by REST. We have further identified target genes of these miRNAs, and discovered that REST and its cofactor complex are targets of multiple brain-related miRNAs including miR-124a, miR-9 and miR-132. Given the role of both REST and miRNA as repressors, these findings point to a double-negative feedback loop between REST and the miRNAs in stabilizing and maintaining neuronal gene expression. Additionally, we find that the brain-related miRNA genes are highly enriched with evolutionarily conserved cAMP response elements (CRE) in their regulatory regions, implicating the role of CREB in the positive regulation of these miRNAs. CONCLUSION: The expression of neuronal genes and neuronal identity are controlled by multiple factors, including transcriptional regulation through REST and post-transcriptional modification by several brain-related miRNAs. We demonstrate that these different levels of regulation are coordinated through extensive feedbacks, and propose a network among REST, CREB proteins and the brain-related miRNAs as a robust program for mediating neuronal gene expression.

Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein↗

Mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase promoter contains a CREB binding site that regulates cAMP action in Caco-2 cells.

cAMP increases transcription of the mitochondrial (mit.) gene for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA synthase, which encodes an enzyme that has been proposed as a control site of ketogenesis. The incubation of Caco-2 cells with cAMP increased mit.HMG-CoA synthase mRNA levels 4-fold within 24 h. We have identified an active cAMP-response element (CRE) located 546 bp upstream of the mit. HMG-CoA synthase promoter that is necessary for the induction of expression by dibutyryl cAMP. Co-transfections of constructs, containing the CRE element of the mit.HMG-CoA synthase promoter fused to the gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, with protein kinase A and a dominant-negative mutant of cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB) show that the response to cAMP is mediated by the transcription factor CREB. The CRE element confers responsiveness of protein kinase A to a heterologous promoter in transfection assays in Caco-2 cells. Gel-retardation assays revealed that the mit.HMG-CoA synthase CRE binds to recombinant CREB. The shifted band obtained with the putative mit. HMG-CoA synthase CRE sequence and nuclear proteins from Caco-2 cells competed with CRE sequences of other genes such as somatostatin and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. We conclude that the regulation of the expression of the gene for mit.HMG-CoA synthase in Caco-2 cells by cAMP is mediated by a CRE sequence in the promoter.

Animals↗

AMPA receptor-mediated, calcium-dependent CREB phosphorylation in a subpopulation of auditory neurons surviving activity deprivation.

Although dependence on afferent synaptic activity has been shown for central neurons in every sensory system, the mechanisms of afferent maintenance of target sensory neurons are not understood. Neurons in the cochlear nucleus (CN) require afferent activity for maintenance and survival. One of the earliest changes seen after activity deprivation is an increase in intracellular calcium that leads to the death of 30% of the neuronal population. Sixty minutes after deafferentation, the surviving neurons show increased phosphorylation of the transcription factor calcium/cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). CREB phosphorylation in activity-deprived CN neurons is dependent on increased intracellular calcium resulting from influx through AMPA receptors and is mediated by calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases and protein kinase A. We conclude that in CN neurons, the deafferentation-induced increase in calcium activates at least two kinase pathways that phosphorylate CREB in surviving neurons. We hypothesize that this phosphorylation results in the transcription of genes containing the calcium/cAMP response element within their promoter regions, and these genes code for proteins that allow the neurons to compensate for their hypercalcemic, activity-deprived state.

Animals↗

Mechanism of mitogenic effect of fluoride on fetal rat osteoblastic cells: evidence for Shc, Grb2 and P-CREB-dependent pathways.

Fluoride stimulates bone cell proliferation and nodule formation in fetal rat calvarial osteoblastic cells. In addition, fluoride enhances alkaline phosphatase activity, a marker of osteoblastic differentiation, in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of fluoroalumino complex (AlFx) on cell proliferation and differentiation were markedly reduced by tyrosine kinase inhibitor; 1 mM genistein or 1 microg/ml herbimycin. It suggests that tyrosine kinase-mediated mitogenic signaling involves a series of protein-protein interactions between tyrosine-phosphorylated receptors, Shc and Grb2, resulting in an AlFx-induced mitogenic effect. The results indicate that AlFx dose-dependently enhances the tyrosine phosphorylation of the adaptor molecule Shc (p52) and its association with Grb2 in the tyrosine kinase mediated pathway. In addition, AlFx decreases the phosphorylation level of CREB without any change on the amount of CREB protein. Taken together, the results suggest that adaptor proteins, including Shc and Grb2 of the protein tyrosine kinase cascade are implicated in fluoride-induced mitogenic activity of fetal rat calvarial osteoblastic cells. Furthermore, CREB which passes signals from cAMP to transcriptional factor CRE, modulates the fluoroaluminate-induced metabolism of bone cells via a decrease of phosphorylation level.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Mechanisms of transcriptional activation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein CREB.

The CREB-CREM transcription factors are the main gene regulatory effectors of the cAMP signaling pathway. The investigations of this family of transcription factors had a profound impact on the understanding of signaling-induced gene transcription. Here we discuss some key aspects of the underlying biology, review transcriptional activation by CREB proteins through transcription cofactors and present novel insights into the context- and position-specific function of CREB on complex genes.

Activating Transcription Factor 1↗

Somatostatin gene upstream enhancer element activated by a protein complex consisting of CREB, Isl-1-like, and alpha-CBF-like transcription factors.

The expression of the genes encoding the hormones glucagon, insulin, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide in the endocrine islets of the pancreas is regulated in a cell-specific manner, defining four distinct cellular phenotypes (A-, B-, D-, and F-cells, respectively). Binding of nuclear proteins to cognate DNA sequences within cis-acting regulatory elements mediates the transcriptional events that result in the cell-specific activation or repression of gene expression. In a parallel study, we describe the functional properties of the SMS-UE, a pancreatic islet D-cell specific enhancer element that regulates the expression of the somatostatin gene and contains two interdependent domains, A and B. In the studies described herein, we have characterized the nuclear proteins that recognize the SMS-UE. Domain A of the SMS-UE is a DNA enhancer sequence that is identical to that bound by the ubiquitously distributed CCAAT box-binding protein alpha-CBF, a transcription factor that regulates the expression of the human chorionic gonadotrophin alpha-subunit gene. The B-domain, on the other hand, binds an islet cell-specific protein with characteristics similar to those of Isl-1, a transcriptional activator protein that binds to the E2 enhancer of the rat insulin-1 gene. In addition, the SMS-UE binds transcription factor CREB but not CREM, the close homolog of CREB, on a site adjacent to, or overlapping, the 3' end of domain B. We show that the carboxyl-terminal bZIP domain of CREB binds to the cAMP response element of the somatostatin gene but is not sufficient for binding to the SMS-UE, and we present evidence suggesting that CREB.SMS-UE binding requires stabilization by a region of the protein located within the transactivation domain.

Animals↗

Prospects of memory-modifying drugs that target the CREB pathway.

The quest to find safe and effective drugs to treat memory disorders and decline in humans has been aided by the understanding of the molecules underlying memory formation. Studies from vertebrates and invertebrates have identified molecules that are specifically required for converting memories into a long-lasting and stable form. Due to the fact that the activation of the transcription factor cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) is critical for converting short- to long-term memory, the molecules required for CREB activation and function are potentially important targets for memory-modifying drugs. The progress, prospects, challenges and limitations of drugs targeting the CREB pathway are reviewed here in the context of molecular mechanisms and the biology of memory.

Animals↗

Fos, Jun and CREB basic-domain peptides have intrinsic DNA-binding activity enhanced by a novel stabilizing factor.

Transcription factors with a 'leucine zipper' (LZ) domain bind to DNA cis-elements, often with palindromic structures. DNA-binding by such factors requires the presence of highly basic regions in the proteins found adjacent to the LZ domain. In order to determine if the observed DNA-binding specificity is programmed by the basic region itself, we developed a competitive binding assay to compare relative binding affinities of synthetic peptides to specific promoter elements. In this report we demonstrate that the basic domains of the oncoproteins Fos, Jun and the transcription factor CREB, possess the structural information necessary to compete for promoter-specific binding. To study the relative binding affinity of the basic motifs to specific promoter elements, we used synthetic peptides to compete for intrinsic Fos/Jun and CREB DNA-binding activity present in HeLa cell nuclear extracts. These studies demonstrate that the basic peptides of both Fos and Jun have higher affinity for the TPA responsive element (TRE) and the cAMP responsive element (CRE) relative to the corresponding peptide for CREB. The peptides showed virtually no affinity for either Sp1 or octamer consensus promoter sequences, demonstrating that these basic peptides also retained their promoter selectivity. We further demonstrate that the conserved dipolar arrangement of two basic amino acid clusters is required for selective, competitive binding. A second conserved feature critical for competitive binding relates to the distance separating the dipolar basic clusters. Our competition binding assay has also helped to identify a novel protein factor, termed ABP (auxilliary bridging protein), which interacts to stabilize Fos and Jun basic domain binding-interaction with specific promoter elements. The data suggest a mechanism in which ABP acts to promote more stable protein-DNA complexes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In vivo viral and cellular Jun complexes exhibit differential interaction with a number of in vitro generated 'AP-1- and CREB-like' target sequences.

A direct comparison of the relative DNA-binding capabilities of in vivo Jun-containing complexes derived from overexpression of the highly transforming viral Jun (VJ-1 CEF), the weakly transforming chicken cellular Jun (CJ-3 CEF) or background endogenous Jun (RCAS CEF) was assessed by gel mobility-shift assays using a synthetic oligonucleotide containing the consensus sequence TGACTCA (consensus AP-1). Chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) expressing background c-Jun levels (RCAS CEF) contain almost undetectable levels of c-Jun but retain significant DNA-binding activity with two distinct complexes capable of binding specifically to the consensus AP-1 site. CEFs overexpressing either v-Jun or c-Jun contain these same two complexes and, while showing marked increases in Jun protein levels, do not exhibit any increase in DNA binding or transcriptional activation activity, suggesting that much of the overexpressed protein is inactive. Gel-shift assays performed in the presence of a Jun-specific antibody revealed a reduction in binding by both complexes, suggesting that each contains Jun or a Jun cross-reactive protein. Antibodies specific for Jun B, c-Fos, Fos B and CREB failed to interact with either complex. However, antibody specific for Fra-2 caused a slight supershift, suggesting that one or both complexes may contain Fra-2. Gel-shift competition assays with 16 'AP-1- and CREB-like' target sequences revealed that, within each cell type, the two protein complexes varied in their ability to recognize the mutant target sequences. These results clearly indicate differences in potential target recognition by each specific in vivo complex, and suggest that each may preferentially bind its own subset of target DNAs. In addition, a comparison of binding by individual complexes derived from CEFs overexpressing v-Jun and c-Jun also revealed differences in target recognition. Thus, in vivo complexes formed by overexpression of v-Jun and c-Jun vary in their ability to recognize and bind to a number of 'AP-1- and CREB-like' target sequences. This has important implications with regard to the mechanisms involved in cell transformation by v-Jun.

Animals↗

Kinetic study of phosphorylation-dependent complex formation between the kinase-inducible domain (KID) of CREB and the KIX domain of CBP on a quartz crystal microbalance.

We report quantitative analysis of peptide-peptide interactions on a 27 MHz quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) in aqueous solution. The KID (kinase-inducible domain) of transcription factor CREB (cyclic AMP response element binding protein) is known to interact with the KIX domain of coactivator CBP (CREB binding protein), facilitated by phosphorylation at Ser-133 of the KID. The KIX domain peptide (86 aa) was immobilized on the QCM gold electrode surface by means of a poly(ethylene glycol) spacer. Binding of the KID peptide (46 aa) to the KIX peptide was detected by frequency decreases (mass increases) of the QCM. Both maximum binding amount (Deltammax) and association constants (Ka) obtained from the QCM measurements increased as a result of phosphorylation of Ser-133 of the KID peptide. The Ka values for KIX peptide to the phosphorylated (pKID) and unphosphorylated KID peptides were (93+/-2) x 10(3) and (5+/-1) x 10(3) M(-1), respectively. This difference was explained by the dissociation rate constant (k(-1)) of the pKID being 20 times smaller than that of the KID, while association rate constants (k1) were independent of phosphorylation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phenylarsine oxide inhibited beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated IL-6 secretion: inhibition of cAMP accumulation and CREB activation in cardiac fibroblasts.

As we previously reported, cAMP and p38 MAPK instead of protein kinase A were involved in beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR)-mediated interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in mouse cardiac fibroblasts. Besides kinases, phosphatases may also be involved in IL-6 gene regulation. To study the role of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in beta-AR-mediated IL-6 production, we selected the most widely used PTP inhibitor, phenylarsine oxide (PAO). We found that PAO dose-dependently inhibited the IL-6 release in response to beta-AR agonist isoproterenol (ISO) in mouse cardiac fibroblasts. This effect was probably due to the inhibition of PTPs, resulting in increased tyrosine phosphorylation, since genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases further potentiated ISO-induced IL-6 production and could partially reverse the inhibitory effect of PAO. PAO also significantly inhibited the IL-6 production by forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase (AC) activator. Furthermore, PAO dose-dependently inhibited the increased cAMP accumulation by either ISO or forskolin and suppressed the phosphorylation of CREB, an important transcriptional factor for IL-6 gene expression. But PAO did not affect the activation of p38 MAPK by ISO. Although PAO was also reported to inhibit NADPH oxidase, the inhibition of NADPH oxidase by its specific inhibitor, diphenylene iodonium (DPI) could not suppress beta-AR-mediated IL-6 production, suggesting that NADPH oxidase may not contribute to the inhibitory effect of PAO on IL-6 production. To our knowledge, this is the first report that PAO can inhibit ISO-induced IL-6 expression and CREB phosphorylation, demonstrating that PTPs may negatively regulate beta-AR-mediated IL-6 production. This study may also further our understanding of beta-AR signaling and provide potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of heart diseases.

Animals↗

Adenovirus DNA binding protein inhibits SrCap-activated CBP and CREB-mediated transcription.

The SNF2-related CBP activator protein (SrCap) is a potent activator of transcription mediated by CBP and CREB. We have previously demonstrated that the Adenovirus 2 DNA Binding Protein (DBP) binds to SrCap and inhibits the transcription mediated by the carboxyl-terminal region of SrCap (amino acids 1275-2971). We report here that DBP inhibits the ability of full-length SrCap (1-2971) to activate transcription mediated by Gal-CREB and Gal-CBP. In addition, DBP also inhibits the ability of SrCap to enhance Protein Kinase A (PKA) activated transcription of the enkaphalin promoter. DBP was found to dramatically inhibit transcription of a mammalian two-hybrid system that was dependent on the interaction of SrCap and CBP binding domains. We also found that DBP has no effect on transcription mediated by a transcriptional activator that is not related to SrCap, indicating that our reported transcriptional inhibition is specific for SrCap and not due to nonspecific effects of DBP's DNA binding activity on the CAT reporter plasmid. Taken together, these results suggest a model in which DBP inhibits cellular transcription mediated by the interaction between SrCap and CBP.

Acetyltransferases↗