Defining the CREB Regulon

Nuclear calcium signaling in spinal neurons drives a genomic program required for persistent inflammatory pain

Persistent pain induced by noxious stimuli is characterized by the transition from normosensitivity to hypersensitivity. Underlying mechanisms are not well understood, although gene expression is considered important. Here, we show that persistent nociceptive-like activity triggers calcium transients in neuronal nuclei within the superficial spinal dorsal horn, and that nuclear calcium is necessary for the development of long-term inflammatory hypersensitivity. Using a nucleus-specific calcium signal perturbation strategy in vivo complemented by gene profiling, bioinformatics, and functional analyses, we discovered a pain-associated, nuclear calcium-regulated gene program in spinal excitatory neurons. This includes C1q, a modulator of synaptic spine morphogenesis, which we found to contribute to activity-dependent spine remodelling on spinal neurons in a manner functionally associated with inflammatory hypersensitivity. Thus, nuclear calcium integrates synapse-to-nucleus communication following noxious stimulation and controls a spinal genomic response that mediates the transition between acute and long-term nociceptive sensitization by modulating functional and structural plasticity.

Roles of nucleus accumbens CREB and dynorphin in dysregulation of motivation

Psychostimulants such as amphetamine and cocaine are believed to produce dependence by causing rapid, supraphysiological elevations in synaptic dopamine (DA) within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) (Volkow et al. 2009, Neuropharmacology 56: 3-8). These changes in forebrain DA transmission are similar to those evoked by natural reinforcers (Louilot et al. 1991, Brain Res 553: 313-317; Roitman et al. 2004, J Neurosci 24: 1265-1271), but are of greater magnitude and longer duration. Repeated drug exposure causes compensatory neuroadaptations in neurons of the NAc, some of which may modulate excess DA in a homeostatic fashion. One such adaptation is the activation of the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) within neurons of the NAc. Although elevated levels of transcriptionally active CREB appear to attenuate DA transmission by increasing expression of the endogenous κ opioid receptor (KOR) ligand dynorphin, increased dynorphin transmission may ultimately have undesirable effects that contribute to drug withdrawal states as well as comorbid psychiatric illnesses such as depression. This state may prompt a return to drug use to mitigate the adverse effects of withdrawal. This article summarizes our current understanding of how CREB and dynorphin contribute to the dysregulation of motivation and describes novel therapeutic strategies that derive from preclinical research in this area.

Genes and environment: novel, functional polymorphism in the human cathepsin L (CTSL1) promoter disrupts a xenobiotic response element (XRE) to alter transcription and blood pressure

BACKGROUND

Cathepsin L (CTSL1) catalyzes the formation of peptides that influence blood pressure (BP). Naturally occurring genetic variation or targeted ablation of the Ctsl1 locus in mice yield cardiovascular pathology. Here, we searched for genetic variation across the human CTSL1 locus and probed its functional effects, especially in the proximal promoter.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Systematic polymorphism discovery by re-sequencing across CTSL1 in 81 patients uncovered 38 genetic variants, five of which were relatively common (MAF >5%), creating a single linkage disequilibrium block in multiple biogeographic ancestries. One of these five common variants lay in a functional domain of the gene: promoter C-171A (rs3118869), which disrupts a predicted xenobiotic response element (XRE; match C>A). In transfected CTSL1 promoter/luciferase reporter plasmids, C-171A allele influenced transcription (C>A, P = 3.36E-6), and transcription was also augmented by co-exposure to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) complex (AHR:ARNT) in the presence of their ligand dioxin (P = 6.81E-8); allele (C vs. A) and AHR:ARNT/dioxin stimulus interacted to control gene expression (interaction P = 0.033). Endogenous Ctsl1, Ahr, and Arnt transcripts were present in chromaffin cells. Promoter functional C-171A genotype also predicted hypertension (P = 1.0E-3), SBP (P = 4.0E-4), and DBP (P = 3.0E-3), in an additive pattern for diploid genotypes (A/A > C/A > C/C) in 868 patients, and the results were extended by validation analysis into an independent population sample of 986 patients.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that common genetic variation in the proximal CTSL1 promoter, especially at position C-171A, is functional in cells, and alters transcription so as to explain the association of CTSL1 with BP in vivo. At the XRE, endogenous genetic variation plus exogenous aryl hydrocarbon stimulation interact to control CTSL1 gene expression. These results unveil a novel control point whereby heredity and environment can intersect to control a complex trait, and point to new transcriptional strategies for intervention into transmitter biosynthesis and its cardiovascular consequences.

Tolerance to ischemia - an increasingly complex biology

In this review we identify and discuss some of the genomics studies of preconditioning and the ischemic tolerance phenomenon. Such studies have been attempted in multiple species, using different array technologies and with different preconditioning and tolerance models. In addition, studies are starting to reveal epigenetic mechanisms and modifiers of tolerance and preconditioning. Together these studies are starting to reveal some of the immense complexity of the ischemic tolerance phenomenon, yet further studies await to be performed.

Understanding the Dynamics of Gene Regulatory Systems; Characterisation and Clinical Relevance of cis-Regulatory Polymorphisms

Modern genetic analysis has shown that most polymorphisms associated with human disease are non-coding. Much of the functional information contained in the non-coding genome consists of cis-regulatory sequences (CRSs) that are required to respond to signal transduction cues that direct cell specific gene expression. It has been hypothesised that many diseases may be due to polymorphisms within CRSs that alter their responses to signal transduction cues. However, identification of CRSs, and the effects of allelic variation on their ability to respond to signal transduction cues, is still at an early stage. In the current review we describe the use of comparative genomics and experimental techniques that allow for the identification of CRSs building on recent advances by the ENCODE consortium. In addition we describe techniques that allow for the analysis of the effects of allelic variation and epigenetic modification on CRS responses to signal transduction cues. Using specific examples we show that the interactions driving these elements are highly complex and the effects of disease associated polymorphisms often subtle. It is clear that gaining an understanding of the functions of CRSs, and how they are affected by SNPs and epigenetic modification, is essential to understanding the genetic basis of human disease and stratification whilst providing novel directions for the development of personalised medicine.

Learning and memory deficits consequent to reduction of the fragile X mental retardation protein result from metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated inhibition of cAMP signaling in Drosophila

Loss of the RNA-binding fragile X protein [fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP)] results in a spectrum of cognitive deficits, the fragile X syndrome (FXS), while aging individuals with decreased protein levels present with a subset of these symptoms and tremor. The broad range of behavioral deficits likely reflects the ubiquitous distribution and multiple functions of the protein. FMRP loss is expected to affect multiple neuronal proteins and intracellular signaling pathways, whose identity and interactions are essential in understanding and ameliorating FXS symptoms. We used heterozygous mutants and targeted RNA interference-mediated abrogation in Drosophila to uncover molecular pathways affected by FMRP reduction. We present evidence that FMRP loss results in excess metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activity, attributable at least in part to elevation of the protein in affected neurons. Using high-resolution behavioral, genetic, and biochemical analyses, we present evidence that excess mGluR upon FMRP attenuation is linked to the cAMP decrement reported in patients and models, and underlies olfactory associative learning and memory deficits. Furthermore, our data indicate positive transcriptional regulation of the fly fmr1 gene by cAMP, via protein kinase A, likely through the transcription factor CREB. Because the human Fmr1 gene also contains CREB binding sites, the interaction of mGluR excess and cAMP signaling defects we present suggests novel combinatorial pharmaceutical approaches to symptom amelioration upon FMRP attenuation.

Neurodegeneration as an RNA disorder

Neurodegenerative diseases constitute one of the single most important public health challenges of the coming decades, and yet we presently have only a limited understanding of the underlying genetic, cellular and molecular causes. As a result, no effective disease-modifying therapies are currently available, and no method exists to allow detection at early disease stages, and as a result diagnoses are only made decades after disease pathogenesis, by which time the majority of physical damage has already occurred. Since the sequencing of the human genome, we have come to appreciate that the transcriptional output of the human genome is extremely rich in non-protein coding RNAs (ncRNAs). This heterogeneous class of transcripts is widely expressed in the nervous system, and is likely to play many crucial roles in the development and functioning of this organ. Most exciting, evidence has recently been presented that ncRNAs play central, but hitherto unappreciated roles in neurodegenerative processes. Here, we review the diverse available evidence demonstrating involvement of ncRNAs in neurodegenerative diseases, and discuss their possible implications in the development of therapies and biomarkers for these conditions.

Serum BDNF concentrations show strong seasonal variation and correlations with the amount of ambient sunlight

Earlier findings show seasonality in processes and behaviors such as brain plasticity and depression that in part are regulated by Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Based on this we investigated seasonal variation in serum BDNF concentrations in 2,851 persons who took part in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). Analyses by month of sampling (monthly n's >196) showed pronounced seasonal variation in serum BDNF concentrations (P<.0001) with increasing concentrations in the spring-summer period (standardized regression weight (ß) = 0.19, P<.0001) and decreasing concentrations in the autumn-winter period (ß = -0.17, P<.0001). Effect sizes [Cohen's d] ranged from 0.27 to 0.66 for monthly significant differences. We found similar seasonal variation for both sexes and for persons with a DSM-IV depression diagnosis and healthy control subjects. In explorative analyses we found that the number of sunshine hours (a major trigger to entrain seasonality) in the week of blood withdrawal and the 10 weeks prior to this event positively correlated with serum BDNF concentrations (Pearson's correlation coefficients ranged: 0.05-0.18) and this could partly explain the observed monthly variation. These results provide strong evidence that serum BDNF concentrations systematically vary over the year. This finding is important for our understanding of those factors that regulate BDNF expression and may provide novel avenues to understand seasonal dependent changes in behavior and illness such as depression. Finally, the findings reported here should be taken into account when designing and interpreting studies on BDNF.

TMEM106B, the risk gene for frontotemporal dementia, is regulated by the microRNA-132/212 cluster and affects progranulin pathways

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with no available treatments. Mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) causing impaired production or secretion of progranulin are a common Mendelian cause of FTLD-TDP; additionally, common variants at chromosome 7p21 in the uncharacterized gene TMEM106B were recently linked by genome-wide association to FTLD-TDP with and without GRN mutations. Here we show that TMEM106B is neuronally expressed in postmortem human brain tissue, and that expression levels are increased in FTLD-TDP brain. Furthermore, using an unbiased, microarray-based screen of >800 microRNAs (miRs), we identify microRNA-132 as the top microRNA differentiating FTLD-TDP and control brains, with <50% normal expression levels of three members of the microRNA-132 cluster (microRNA-132, microRNA-132*, and microRNA-212) in disease. Computational analyses, corroborated empirically, demonstrate that the top mRNA target of both microRNA-132 and microRNA-212 is TMEM106B; both microRNAs repress TMEM106B expression through shared microRNA-132/212 binding sites in the TMEM106B 3'UTR. Increasing TMEM106B expression to model disease results in enlargement and poor acidification of endo-lysosomes, as well as impairment of mannose-6-phosphate-receptor trafficking. Finally, endogenous neuronal TMEM106B colocalizes with progranulin in late endo-lysosomes, and TMEM106B overexpression increases intracellular levels of progranulin. Thus, TMEM106B is an FTLD-TDP risk gene, with microRNA-132/212 depression as an event which can lead to aberrant overexpression of TMEM106B, which in turn alters progranulin pathways. Evidence for this pathogenic cascade includes the striking convergence of two independent, genomic-scale screens on a microRNA:mRNA regulatory pair. Our findings open novel directions for elucidating miR-based therapies in FTLD-TDP.

Layer-specific CREB target gene induction in human neocortical epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disorder of recurrent seizures that affects 1% of the population. To understand why some areas of cerebral cortex produce seizures and others do not, we identified differentially expressed genes in human epileptic neocortex compared with nearby regions that did not produce seizures. The transcriptome that emerged strongly implicates MAPK signaling and CREB-dependent transcription, with 74% of differentially expressed genes containing a cAMP response element (CRE) in their proximal promoter, more than half of which are conserved. Despite the absence of recent seizures in these patients, epileptic brain regions prone to seizures showed persistent activation of ERK and CREB. Persistent CREB activation was directly linked to CREB-dependent gene transcription by chromatin immunoprecipitation that showed phosphorylated CREB constitutively associated with the proximal promoters of many of the induced target genes involved in neuronal signaling, excitability, and synaptic plasticity. A distinct spatial pattern of ERK activation was seen in superficial axodendritic processes of epileptic neocortex that colocalized with both CREB phosphorylation and CREB target gene induction in well demarcated populations of layer 2/3 neurons. These same neuronal lamina showed a marked increase in synaptic density. The findings generated in this study generate a robust and spatially restricted pattern of epileptic biomarkers and associated synaptic changes that could lead to new mechanistic insights and potential therapeutic targets for human epilepsy.

The HaloTag: Improving Soluble Expression and Applications in Protein Functional Analysis

Technological and methodological advances have been critical for the rapidly evolving field of proteomics. The development of fusion tag systems is essential for purification and analysis of recombinant proteins. The HaloTag is a 34 KDa monomeric protein derived from a bacterial haloalkane dehalogenase. The majority of fusion tags in use today utilize a reversible binding interaction with a specific ligand. The HaloTag system is unique in that it forms a covalent linkage to its chloroalkane ligand. This linkage permits attachment of the HaloTag to a variety of functional reporters, which can be used to label and immobilize recombinant proteins. The success rate for HaloTag expression of soluble proteins is very high and comparable to maltose binding protein (MBP) tag. Furthermore, cleavage of the HaloTag does not result in protein insolubility that often is observed with the MBP tag. In the present report, we describe applications of the HaloTag system in our ongoing investigation of protein-protein interactions of the Y. pestis Type 3 secretion system on a custom protein microarray. We also describe the utilization of affinity purification/mass spectroscopy (AP/MS) to evaluate the utility of the Halo Tag system to characterize DNA binding activity and protein specificity.

Luteolin induces microRNA-132 expression and modulates neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells

Luteolin (3′,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone), a food-derived flavonoid, has been reported to exert neurotrophic properties that are associated with its capacity to promote neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth. In this study, we report for the first time that luteolin induces the persistent expression of microRNA-132 (miR-132) in PC12 cells. The correlation between miR-132 knockdown and a decrease in luteolin-mediated neurite outgrowth may indicate a mechanistic link by which miR-132 functions as a mediator for neuritogenesis. Furthermore, we find that luteolin led to the phosphorylation and activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), which is associated with the up-regulation of miR-132 and neurite outgrowth. Moreover, luteolin-induced CREB activation, miR-132 expression and neurite outgrowth were inhibited by adenylate cyclase, protein kinase A (PKA) and MAPK/ERK kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) inhibitors but not by protein kinase C (PKC) or calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) inhibitors. Consistently, we find that luteolin treatment increases ERK phosphorylation and PKA activity in PC12 cells. These results show that luteolin induces the up-regulation of miR-132, which serves as an important regulator for neurotrophic actions, mainly acting through the activation of cAMP/PKA- and ERK-dependent CREB signaling pathways in PC12 cells.

ChIPnorm: a statistical method for normalizing and identifying differential regions in histone modification ChIP-seq libraries

The advent of high-throughput technologies such as ChIP-seq has made possible the study of histone modifications. A problem of particular interest is the identification of regions of the genome where different cell types from the same organism exhibit different patterns of histone enrichment. This problem turns out to be surprisingly difficult, even in simple pairwise comparisons, because of the significant level of noise in ChIP-seq data. In this paper we propose a two-stage statistical method, called ChIPnorm, to normalize ChIP-seq data, and to find differential regions in the genome, given two libraries of histone modifications of different cell types. We show that the ChIPnorm method removes most of the noise and bias in the data and outperforms other normalization methods. We correlate the histone marks with gene expression data and confirm that histone modifications H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 act as respectively a repressor and an activator of genes. Compared to what was previously reported in the literature, we find that a substantially higher fraction of bivalent marks in ES cells for H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 move into a K27-only state. We find that most of the promoter regions in protein-coding genes have differential histone-modification sites. The software for this work can be downloaded from http://lcbb.epfl.ch/software.html.

Characterization of enhancer function from genome-wide analyses

There has been a recent surge in the use of genome-wide methodologies to identify and annotate the transcriptional regulatory elements in the human genome. Here we review some of these methodologies and the conceptual insights about transcription regulation that have been gained from the use of genome-wide studies. It has become clear that the binding of transcription factors is itself a highly regulated process, and binding does not always appear to have functional consequences. Numerous properties have now been associated with regulatory elements that may be useful in their identification. Several aspects of enhancer function have been shown to be more widespread than was previously appreciated, including the highly combinatorial nature of transcription factor binding, the postinitiation regulation of many target genes, and the binding of enhancers at early stages to maintain their competence during development. Going forward, the integration of multiple genome-wide data sets should become a standard approach to elucidate higher-order regulatory interactions.

Anxiety phenotype in mice that overexpress protein kinase A

The role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) signaling in the molecular pathways involved in fear and memory is well established. Prior studies in our lab reported that transgenic mice with an inactivating mutation in Prkar1a gene (codes for the 1-alpha regulatory subunit (R1α) of PKA) exhibited behavioral abnormalities including anxiety and depression. In the present study, we examined the role of altered PKA signaling on anxiety-like behaviors in Prkar1a(+/-) mice compared to wild-type (WT) littermates. The elevated plus maze (EPM) and marble bury (MB) tests were used to assess anxiety-like behavior. The hotplate test was performed to evaluate analgesia. We further examined the impact of the Prkar1a inactivating mutation on PKA activity in specific nuclei of the brain associated with anxiety-like behavior. Results for the MB test showed a genotype effect, with increased anxiety-like behavior in Prkar1a(+/-) mice, compared to WT littermates (p<0.05). MANOVA analysis showed a significant genotype difference in anxiety-like behavior in the EPM between WT and Prkar1a(+/-) mice on combined dependent variables (open arm time and open to total time ratio; p<0.05). Results of hotplate testing showed no genotype effect however; the expected sex difference was noted. Analysis of PKA activity showed the loss of one Prkar1a allele led to an increase in basal and cAMP-stimulated kinase activity in both the basolateral and central amygdala. These results suggest that the alteration in PKA signaling in Prkar1a(+/-) mice is not a ubiquitous effect; and supports the importance of cAMP/PKA pathway in neurobiological processes involved in anxiety and fear sensitization.

Regulation of microRNA-375 by cAMP in pancreatic β-cells

MicroRNA-375 (miR-375) is necessary for proper formation of pancreatic islets in vertebrates and is necessary for the development of β-cells in mice, but regulation of miR-375 in these cells is poorly understood. Here, we show that miR-375 is transcriptionally repressed by the cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway and that this repression is mediated through a block in RNA polymerase II binding to the miR-375 promoter. cAMP analogs that are PKA selective repress miR-375, as do cAMP agonists and the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, exendin-4. Repression of the miR-375 precursor occurs rapidly in rat insulinoma INS-1 832/13 cells, within 15 min after cAMP stimulation, although the mature microRNA declines more slowly due to the kinetics of RNA processing. Repression of miR-375 in isolated rat islets by exendin-4 also occurs slowly, after several hours of stimulation. Glucose is another reported antagonist of miR-375 expression, although we demonstrate here that glucose does not target the microRNA through the PKA pathway. As reported previously, miR-375 negatively regulates insulin secretion, and attenuation of miR-375 through the cAMP-PKA pathway may boost the insulin response in pancreatic β-cells.

EPAC null mutation impairs learning and social interactions via aberrant regulation of miR-124 and Zif268 translation

EPAC proteins are the guanine nucleotide exchange factors that act as the intracellular receptors for cyclic AMP. Two variants of EPAC genes including EPAC1 and EPAC2 are cloned and are widely expressed throughout the brain. But, their functions in the brain remain unknown. Here, we genetically delete EPAC1 (EPAC1(-/-)), EPAC2 (EPAC2(-/-)), or both EPAC1 and EPAC2 genes (EPAC(-/-)) in the forebrain of mice. We show that EPAC null mutation impairs long-term potentiation (LTP) and that this impairment is paralleled with the severe deficits in spatial learning and social interactions and is mediated in a direct manner by miR-124 transcription and Zif268 translation. Knockdown of miR-124 restores Zif268 and hence reverses all aspects of the EPAC(-/-) phenotypes, whereas expression of miR-124 or knockdown of Zif268 reproduces the effects of EPAC null mutation. Thus, EPAC proteins control miR-124 transcription in the brain for processing spatial learning and social interactions.

Multiple transcription factor families regulate axon growth and regeneration

Understanding axon regenerative failure remains a major goal in neuroscience, and reversing this failure remains a major goal for clinical neurology. Although an inhibitory central nervous system environment clearly plays a role, focus on molecular pathways within neurons has begun to yield fruitful insights. Initial steps forward investigated the receptors and signaling pathways immediately downstream of environmental cues, but recent work has also shed light on transcriptional control mechanisms that regulate intrinsic axon growth ability, presumably through whole cassettes of gene target regulation. Here we will discuss transcription factors that regulate neurite growth in vitro and in vivo, including p53, SnoN, E47, cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT), c-Jun activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), sex determining region Ybox containing gene 11 (Sox11), nuclear factor κ-light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB), and Krüppel-like factors (KLFs). Revealing the similarities and differences among the functions of these transcription factors may further our understanding of the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in axon growth and regeneration.

CREB and leukemogenesis

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common leukemias with a 20% 5-year event-free survival in adults and 50% overall survival in children, despite aggressive chemotherapy treatment and bone marrow transplantation. The incidence and mortality rates for acute leukemia have only slightly decreased over the last 20 years, and therefore greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with leukemic progression is needed. To this end, a number of transcription factors that appear to play a central role in leukemogenesis are being investigated; among them is the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). CREB is a transcription factor that can regulate downstream targets involving in various cellular functions including cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. In several studies, the majority of bone marrow samples from patients with acute lymphoid and myeloid leukemia demonstrate CREB overexpression. Moreover, CREB overexpression is associated with a poor outcome in AML patients. This review summarizes the role of CREB in leukemogenesis.

miR-212/132 expression and functions: within and beyond the neuronal compartment

During the last two decades, microRNAs (miRNAs) emerged as critical regulators of gene expression. By modulating the expression of numerous target mRNAs mainly at the post-transcriptional level, these small non-coding RNAs have been involved in most, if not all, biological processes as well as in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases. miR-132 and miR-212 are tandem miRNAs whose expression is necessary for the proper development, maturation and function of neurons and whose deregulation is associated with several neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and tauopathies (neurodegenerative diseases resulting from the pathological aggregation of tau protein in the human brain). Although their involvement in neuronal functions is the most described, evidences point towards a role of these miRNAs in many other biological processes, including inflammation and immune functions. Incidentally, miR-132 was recently classified as a ‘neurimmiR’, a class of miRNAs operating within and between the neural and immune compartments. In this review, we propose an outline of the current knowledge about miR-132 and miR-212 functions in neurons and immune cells, by describing the signalling pathways and transcription factors regulating their expression as well as their putative or demonstrated roles and validated mRNA targets.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 regulates survival of neurons in newborn hippocampus

The number of neurons in the adult rodent brain is strongly influenced by events in early postnatal life that eliminate approximately half of the neurons. Recently, we reported that neurotrophins induced survival of neonatal rat hippocampal neurons by promoting neural activity and activation of the Ser/Thr kinase, Akt. The survival of neurons also depended on integrin signaling, but a role for the extracellular matrix (ECM) in this mechanism was yet to be explored. Here, we show that levels of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) decrease, and the level of the ECM protein laminin increases in rat hippocampus during the period of neuronal death. Hippocampi from MMP9 null mice showed higher levels of laminin expression than wild type at P1 and no further increase at P10. In vitro, the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor FN-439 promoted survival of neurons in a laminin-integrin β1-dependent manner. Blocking laminin signaling attenuated activation of Akt by depolarization. In vivo, injecting FN-439 into the neonatal hippocampus increased the level of laminin and promoted neuronal survival through an integrin-dependent mechanism. These results show signals from the ECM are not simply permissive but rather actively regulated, and they interact with neuronal activity to control the number of hippocampal neurons. This work is the first to report a role for MMP9 in regulating neuronal survival through the developmental process that establishes the functional brain.

cAMP response element-binding protein is a primary hub of activity-driven neuronal gene expression

Long-lasting forms of neuronal plasticity require de novo gene expression, but relatively little is known about the events that occur genome-wide in response to activity in a neuronal network. Here, we unveil the gene expression programs initiated in mouse hippocampal neurons in response to different stimuli and explore the contribution of four prominent plasticity-related transcription factors (CREB, SRF, EGR1, and FOS) to these programs. Our study provides a comprehensive view of the intricate genetic networks and interactions elicited by neuronal stimulation identifying hundreds of novel downstream targets, including novel stimulus-associated miRNAs and candidate genes that may be differentially regulated at the exon/promoter level. Our analyses indicate that these four transcription factors impinge on similar biological processes through primarily non-overlapping gene-expression programs. Meta-analysis of the datasets generated in our study and comparison with publicly available transcriptomics data revealed the individual and collective contribution of these transcription factors to different activity-driven genetic programs. In addition, both gain- and loss-of-function experiments support a pivotal role for CREB in membrane-to-nucleus signal transduction in neurons. Our data provide a novel resource for researchers wanting to explore the genetic pathways associated with activity-regulated neuronal functions.

A role for neuronal cAMP responsive-element binding (CREB)-1 in brain responses to calorie restriction

Calorie restriction delays brain senescence and prevents neurodegeneration, but critical regulators of these beneficial responses other than the NAD(+)-dependent histone deacetylase Sirtuin-1 (Sirt-1) are unknown. We report that effects of calorie restriction on neuronal plasticity, memory and social behavior are abolished in mice lacking cAMP responsive-element binding (CREB)-1 in the forebrain. Moreover, CREB deficiency drastically reduces the expression of Sirt-1 and the induction of genes relevant to neuronal metabolism and survival in the cortex and hippocampus of dietary-restricted animals. Biochemical studies reveal a complex interplay between CREB and Sirt-1: CREB directly regulates the transcription of the sirtuin in neuronal cells by binding to Sirt-1 chromatin; Sirt-1, in turn, is recruited by CREB to DNA and promotes CREB-dependent expression of target gene peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α and neuronal NO Synthase. Accordingly, expression of these CREB targets is markedly reduced in the brain of Sirt KO mice that are, like CREB-deficient mice, poorly responsive to calorie restriction. Thus, the above circuitry, modulated by nutrient availability, links energy metabolism with neurotrophin signaling, participates in brain adaptation to nutrient restriction, and is potentially relevant to accelerated brain aging by overnutrition and diabetes.

Genetic variation within a metabolic motif in the chromogranin a promoter: pleiotropic influence on cardiometabolic risk traits in twins

BACKGROUND

The cardiometabolic syndrome comprised of multiple correlated traits, but its origin is incompletely understood. Chromogranin A (CHGA) is required for formation of the catecholamine secretory pathway in sympathochromaffin cells. In twin pair studies, we found that CHGA traits aggregated with body mass index (BMI), as well as its biochemical determinant leptin. METHODS Here we used the twin method to probe the role of heredity in generating such risk traits, and then investigated the role of risk-trait-associated CHGA promoter genetic variation in transfected chromaffin cells. Trait heritability (h(2)) and shared genetic determination among traits (pleiotropy, genetic covariance, ρ(G)) were estimated by variance components in twin pairs.

RESULTS

CHGA, BMI, and leptin each displayed substantial h(2), and the traits also aggregated with several features of the metabolic syndrome (e.g., insulin resistance, blood pressure (BP), hypertension, catecholamines, and C-reactive protein (CRP)). Twin studies demonstrated genetic covariance (pleiotropy, ρ(G)) for CHGA, BMI, and leptin with other metabolic traits (insulin resistance, BP, and CRP). We therefore investigated the CHGA locus for mechanisms of codetermination with such metabolic traits. A common functional variant in the human CHGA promoter (G-462A, rs9658634, minor allele frequency ~21%) was associated with leptin and CRP secretion, as well as BMI, especially in women; marker-on-trait effects on BMI were replicated across twin populations on two continents. In CHGA promoter/luciferase reporter plasmids transfected into chromaffin cells, G-462A alleles differed markedly in reporter expression. The G-462A variant disrupted predicted transcriptional control by a PPARγ/RXRα motif and costimulation by PPARγ/RXRα and their cognate ligands, differentially activated the two alleles. During chromatin immunoprecipitation, endogenous PPARγ bound the motif.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple features of the metabolic syndrome are thus under joint (pleiotropic) genetic determination, with CHGA as one such contributory locus: a common polymorphism in the promoter (G-462A) of CHGA predicts such heritable metabolic traits as BMI and leptin. CHGA promoter variant G-462A was not only associated with such metabolic traits but also disrupted a PPARγ/RXRα motif and responded differentially to characteristic trans-activators of that motif. The results suggest novel links between the catecholaminergic system and risk for the metabolic syndrome as well as systemic hypertension.

Depletion of intracellular zinc induced apoptosis in cultured hippocampal neurons through Raf/MEK/ERK pathways

An experiment was performed to observe the changes in Raf-1 kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways in cultured hippocampal neurons and its correlation with neurons apoptosis induced by intracellular zinc depletion. Cultured hippocampal neurons were exposed to a cell membrane-permeant zinc chelator TPEN (2 µM), and to TPEN plus zinc sulfate (5 µM) for 24 h. Cultures were then processed to detect neuronal viability by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, while apoptosis rate was simultaneously observed by the flow cytometric analysis. Caspase-3, Raf-1, pMEK, pERK1/2, and pCREB protein levels were examined by Western blot assays. The viability in TPEN-incubated neurons was notably decreased, apoptosis rate and expression of caspase-3 significantly increased compared to untreated controls. The significant down-regulation of Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway and expression of pCREB were decreased in TPEN-treated neurons. Co-addition of zinc almost completely reversed TPEN-induced alterations described. The results demonstrated zinc-modulated apoptosis and the expression of Raf/MEK/ERK at the protein level in hippocampal neurons. It is possible that zinc depletion-induced apoptosis in cultured hippocampal neurons may be relevant to the changes of Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

Cyclic AMP induces IPC leukemia cell apoptosis via CRE-and CDK-dependent Bim transcription

The IPC-81 cell line is derived from the transplantable BNML model of acute myelogenic leukemia (AML), known to be a reliable predictor of the clinical efficiency of antileukemic agents, like the first-line AML anthracycline drug daunorubicin (DNR). We show here that cAMP acted synergistically with DNR to induce IPC cell death. The DNR-induced death differed from that induced by cAMP by (1) not involving Bim induction, (2) being abrogated by GSK3β inhibitors, (3) by being promoted by the HSP90/p23 antagonist geldanamycin and truncated p23 and (4) by being insensitive to the CRE binding protein (CREB) antagonist ICER and to cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK) inhibitors. In contrast, the apoptosis induced by cAMP correlated tightly with Bim protein expression. It was abrogated by Bim (BCL2L11) downregulation, whether achieved by the CREB antagonist ICER, by CDK inhibitors, by Bim-directed RNAi, or by protein synthesis inhibitor. The forced expression of BimL killed IPC-81_WT cells rapidly, Bcl2-overexpressing cells being partially resistant. The pivotal role of CREB and CDK activity for Bim transcription is unprecedented. It is also noteworthy that newly developed cAMP analogs specifically activating PKA isozyme I (PKA-I) were able to induce IPC cell apoptosis. Our findings support the notion that AML cells may possess targetable death pathways not exploited by common anti-cancer agents.

Glucose activation of islets of Langerhans up-regulates Toll-like receptor 5: possible mechanism of protection

Toll-like receptors are pattern-recognition receptors of the innate immune system that are activated during viral, bacterial or other infections, as well as during disease progression of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR-5) specifically recognizes bacterial infection through binding of flagellin from pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria species. We have found that the expression of TLR5 is up-regulated by glucose activation of isolated islets of Langerhans, in contrast to other investigated TLRs (TLR-2, -3, -4, -6 and -9. Stimulation of islets with 10 mm glucose increased the levels of TLR5 mRNA 10-fold (P=0·03) and the TLR-5 protein levels twofold (P=0·04). Furthermore, the protein level of downstream signalling molecule myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) increased 1·6-fold (P=0·01). Activation of TLR-5 in islets lead to a marked reduction of both stimulated and basal secretion of insulin, as well as an increase in production of nitric oxide, proinflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory heat-shock protein and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I transporter. We observe no effects of TLR-5 activation on islet survival. We suggest that this regulation by TLR-5 might be beneficial during serious infection such as sepsis by limiting the activity of beta cells during peaks of insulin demand to counteract beta cell damage.

CREB-activity and nmnat2 transcription are down-regulated prior to neurodegeneration, while NMNAT2 over-expression is neuroprotective, in a mouse model of human tauopathy

Tauopathies, characterized by neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) of phosphorylated tau proteins, are a group of neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia and both sporadic and familial Alzheimer's disease. Forebrain-specific over-expression of human tau(P301L), a mutation associated with frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17, in rTg4510 mice results in the formation of NFTs, learning and memory impairment and massive neuronal death. Here, we show that the mRNA and protein levels of NMNAT2 (nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2), a recently identified survival factor for maintaining neuronal health in peripheral nerves, are reduced in rTg4510 mice prior to the onset of neurodegeneration or cognitive deficits. Two functional cAMP-response elements (CREs) were identified in the nmnat2 promoter region. Both the total amount of phospho-CRE binding protein (CREB) and the pCREB bound to nmnat2 CRE sites in the cortex and the hippocampus of rTg4510 mice are significantly reduced, suggesting that NMNAT2 is a direct target of CREB under physiological conditions and that tau(P301L) overexpression down-regulates CREB-mediated transcription. We found that over-expressing NMNAT2 or its homolog NMNAT1, but not NMNAT3, in rTg4510 hippocampi from 6 weeks of age using recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors significantly reduced neurodegeneration caused by tau(P301L) over-expression at 5 months of age. In summary, our studies strongly support a protective role of NMNAT2 in the mammalian central nervous system. Decreased endogenous NMNAT2 function caused by reduced CREB signaling during pathological insults may be one of underlying mechanisms for neuronal death in tauopathies.

Ndel1, Nudel (Noodle): flexible in the cell?

Nuclear distribution element-like 1 (Ndel1 or Nudel) was firstly described as a regulator of the cytoskeleton in microtubule and intermediate filament dynamics and microtubule-based transport. Emerging evidence indicates that Ndel1 also serves as a docking platform for signaling proteins and modulates enzymatic activities (kinase, ATPase, oligopeptidase, GTPase). Through these structural and signaling functions, Ndel1 plays a role in diverse cellular processes (e.g., mitosis, neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth, and neuronal migration). Furthermore, Ndel1 is linked to the etiology of various mental illnesses and neurodegenerative disorders. In the present review, we summarize the physiological and pathological functions associated with Ndel1. We further advance the concept that Ndel1 interfaces GTPases-mediated processes (endocytosis, vesicles morphogenesis/signaling) and cytoskeletal dynamics to impact cell signaling and behaviors. This putative mechanism may affect cellular functionalities and may contribute to shed light into the causes of devastating human diseases.

Hypermethylation of the CpG island spanning from exon II to intron III is associated with steroidogenic factor 1 expression in stromal cells of endometriosis

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease. Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1), a transcription factor, is essential for the activation of multiple steroidogenic genes for estrogen biosynthesis in endometriosis-derived stromal cells.

OBJECTIVE

Unravel the mechanism for differential SF-1 expression in endometrial and endometriotic stromal cells.

DESIGN

We identified a novel CpG island in the SF-1 gene, which spans from exon II to intron III. We evaluated the methylation status of this CpG island.

PATIENTS

Eutopic endometrium from disease-free participants (n = 8) and the walls of cystic endometriosis lesions of the ovaries (n = 8). None of the patients had received any preoperative hormonal therapy. Stromal cells were isolated from these 2 types of tissues.

RESULTS

SF-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in endometriotic stromal cells were significantly higher than those in endometrial stromal cells. Bisulfite sequencing showed strikingly increased methylation in endometriotic cells compared with endometrial cells (P < .001). A strong correlation between mRNA levels and percentage methylation of the exon II/intron III are observed. Specifically, the Pearson correlation coefficient was .98 (P < .001) for this association.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that methylation of a coding exon/intron sequence in the SF-1 gene positively regulated its expression in endometriosis, whereas its hypomethylation in normal endometrium was associated with drastically lower SF-1 levels.

Ehrlichia chaffeensis TRP120 binds a G+C-rich motif in host cell DNA and exhibits eukaryotic transcriptional activator function

Ehrlichia chaffeensis is an obligately intracellular bacterium that modulates host cell gene transcription in the mononuclear phagocyte, but the host gene targets and mechanisms involved in transcriptional modulation are not well-defined. In this study, we identified a novel tandem repeat DNA-binding domain in the E. chaffeensis 120-kDa tandem repeat protein (TRP120) that directly binds host cell DNA. TRP120 was observed by immunofluorescent microscopy in the nucleus of E. chaffeensis-infected host cells and was detected in nuclear extracts by Western immunoblotting with TRP120-specific antibody. The TRP120 binding sites and associated host cell target genes were identified using high-throughput deep sequencing (Illumina) of immunoprecipitated DNA (chromatin immunoprecipitation and high-throughput DNA sequencing). Multiple em motif elicitation (MEME) analysis of the most highly enriched TRP120-bound sequences revealed a G+C-rich DNA motif, and recombinant TRP120 specifically bound synthetic oligonucleotides containing the motif. TRP120 target gene binding sites were mapped most frequently to intersecting regions (intron/exon; 49%) but were also identified in upstream regulatory regions (25%) and downstream locations (26%). Genes targeted by TRP120 were most frequently associated with transcriptional regulation, signal transduction, and apoptosis. TRP120 targeted inflammatory chemokine genes, CCL2, CCL20, and CXCL11, which were strongly upregulated during E. chaffeensis infection and were also upregulated by direct transfection with recombinant TRP120. This study reveals that TRP120 is a novel DNA-binding protein that is involved in a host gene transcriptional regulation strategy.

Lrig1 is an estrogen-regulated growth suppressor and correlates with longer relapse-free survival in ERα-positive breast cancer

Lrig1 is the founding member of the Lrig family and has been implicated in the negative regulation of several oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases including ErbB2. Lrig1 is expressed at low levels in several cancer types but is overexpressed in some prostate and colorectal tumors. Given this heterogeneity, whether Lrig1 functions to suppress or promote tumor growth remains a critical question. Previously, we found that Lrig1 was poorly expressed in ErbB2-positive breast cancer, suggesting that Lrig1 has a growth-inhibitory role in this tumor type. However, breast cancer is a complex disease, with ErbB2-positive tumors accounting for just 25% of all breast cancers. To gain a better understanding of the role of Lrig1 in breast cancer, we examined its expression in estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive disease which accounts for the majority of breast cancers. We find that Lrig1 is expressed at significantly higher levels in ERα-positive disease than in ERα-negative disease. Our study provides a molecular rationale for Lrig1 enrichment in ERα-positive disease by showing that Lrig1 is a target of ERα. Estrogen stimulates Lrig1 accumulation and disruption of this induction enhances estrogen-dependent tumor cell growth, suggesting that Lrig1 functions as an estrogen-regulated growth suppressor. In addition, we find that Lrig1 expression correlates with prolonged relapse-free survival in ERα-positive breast cancer, identifying Lrig1 as a new prognostic marker in this setting. Finally, we show that ErbB2 activation antagonizes ERα-driven Lrig1 expression, providing a mechanistic explanation for Lrig1 loss in ErbB2-positive breast cancer. This work provides strong evidence for a growth-inhibitory role for Lrig1 in breast cancer.

Mechanisms of specificity in neuronal activity-regulated gene transcription

The brain is a highly adaptable organ that is capable of converting sensory information into changes in neuronal function. This plasticity allows behavior to be accommodated to the environment, providing an important evolutionary advantage. Neurons convert environmental stimuli into long-lasting changes in their physiology in part through the synaptic activity-regulated transcription of new gene products. Since the neurotransmitter-dependent regulation of Fos transcription was first discovered nearly 25 years ago, a wealth of studies have enriched our understanding of the molecular pathways that mediate activity-regulated changes in gene transcription. These findings show that a broad range of signaling pathways and transcriptional regulators can be engaged by neuronal activity to sculpt complex programs of stimulus-regulated gene transcription. However, the shear scope of the transcriptional pathways engaged by neuronal activity raises the question of how specificity in the nature of the transcriptional response is achieved in order to encode physiologically relevant responses to divergent stimuli. Here we summarize the general paradigms by which neuronal activity regulates transcription while focusing on the molecular mechanisms that confer differential stimulus-, cell-type-, and developmental-specificity upon activity-regulated programs of neuronal gene transcription. In addition, we preview some of the new technologies that will advance our future understanding of the mechanisms and consequences of activity-regulated gene transcription in the brain.

Activation of adenosine A2A receptor up-regulates BDNF expression in rat primary cortical neurons

As a member of neurotrophin family, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays critical roles in neuronal development, differentiation, synaptogenesis, and neural protection from the harmful stimuli. There have been reported that adenosine A2(A) receptor subtype is widely distributed in the brain regions, such as hippocampus, striatum, and cortex. Adenosine A2(A) receptor is colocalized with BDNF in brain regions and the functional interaction between A2(A) receptor stimulation and BDNF action has been suggested. In this study, we investigated the possibility that the activation of A2(A) receptor modulates BDNF production in rat primary cortical neuron. CGS21680, an adenosine A2(A) receptor agonist, induced BDNF expression and release. An antagonist against A2(A) receptor, ZM241385, prevented CGS21680-induced increase in BDNF production. A2(A) receptor stimulation induced the activation of Akt-GSK-3β signaling pathway and the blockade of the signaling pathway with specific inhibitors abolished the increase in BDNF production, possibly via modulation of ERK1/2-CREB pathway. The physiological roles of A2(A) receptor-induced BDNF production was demonstrated by the protection of neurons from the excitotoxicity and increased neurite extension as well as synapse formation from immature and mature neurons. Taken together, activation of A2(A) receptor regulates BDNF production in rat cortical neuron, which provides neuro-protective action.

Basal and Src kinase-mediated activation of the EphA2 promoter requires a cAMP-responsive element but is CREB-independent

We have previously identified the EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase as a potentially important injury-responsive gene and a transcriptional target of Src kinase activity in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). In the present study, we confirmed, using EphA2 gene trap mice that the endogenous EphA2 promoter is strongly activated following renal IRI. We also examined in more detail the mechanisms responsible for Src kinase-induced activation of the -2 kb human EphA2 promoter and found that the minimal Src-responsive elements were contained in the -145 to +137 region of the human EphA2 gene. This region contains a canonical cAMP-responsive element (CRE) that we found to be critical for both basal and Src kinase-induced transcriptional activity. However, despite activation of the prototypical CRE-binding factor CREB by the Src kinase Fyn, siRNA-mediated knockdown of CREB had no significant impact on either basal or Fyn-induced EphA2 promoter activity. Similarly, activation of CREB by the adenylate cyclase agonist forskolin failed to induce EphA2 promoter activation. Thus, Src kinase-induced activation of the EphA2 promoter is CRE-dependent but CREB-independent.

Synaptic activity-responsive element (SARE): A unique genomic structure with an unusual sensitivity to neuronal activity

Formation of a new memory requires plasticity at the synaptic level. However, it has also been shown that the consolidation and the maintenance of such a new memory involve processes that necessitate active mRNA at the nucleus of the cell. How can robust changes in synaptic efficacy specifically drive new transcription and translation of new gene transcripts, and thus transform an otherwise transient plasticity into a long-lasting and stable one? In this article, we highlight the conceptual advance that was gained by the discovery of a potent Synaptic Activity-Responsive Element (SARE) found ∼7 kb upstream of the transcription initiation site of the neuronal immediate early gene Arc. The unique genomic structure of SARE, which contained adjacent and cooperative binding sites for three major activity-dependent transcription factors within a 100-bp locus, was associated with an unusual responsiveness to neuronal stimuli. Taken together, these findings shed light on a new class of transcriptional sensor with enhanced sensitivity to synaptic activity.

Interference of alpha-synuclein with cAMP/PKA-dependent CREB signaling for tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression in SK-N-BE(2)C cells

Alpha-synuclein (α-SYN) is a small and highly conserved presynaptic protein that is implicated in both normal brain function and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Although the physiological function of α-SYN has not been fully evaluated, several lines of evidence suggest that it plays an important role in the regulation of dopamine homeostasis in the brain. Early studies have demonstrated that interaction of α-SYN and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis, is functionally significant for dopaminergic neurotransmission and the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we would like to evaluate whether overexpression of wild-type or mutant α-SYN might affect cAMP/PKA-dependent TH activation in DA-producing SK-N-BE(2)C cells. Here we show that wild-type and mutant A30P and A53T α-SYN attenuate forskolin-induced TH up-regulation, but do not suppress TH basal expression in SK-N-BE(2)C cells. Forskolin-induced increase in TH promoter activity and CRE-dependent transcription are significantly suppressed in α-SYN-overexpressing cells. Alpha-SYN enters the nucleus, but does not bind to CREB or interfere with forskolin-induced CREB phosphorylation. These data indicate that elevated levels of α-SYN due to a specific disease or the normal aging process could be associated with dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction through interference with TH regulation.

Transcriptional regulation of BMP2 expression by the PTH-CREB signaling pathway in osteoblasts

Intermittent application of parathyroid hormone (PTH) has well established anabolic effects on bone mass in rodents and humans. Although transcriptional mechanisms responsible for these effects are not fully understood, it is recognized that transcriptional factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) mediates PTH signaling in osteoblasts, and that there is a communication between the PTH-CREB pathway and the BMP2 signaling pathway, which is important for osteoblast differentiation and bone formations. These findings, in conjunction with putative cAMP response elements (CREs) in the BMP2 promoter, led us to hypothesize that the PTH-CREB pathway could be a positive regulator of BMP2 transcription in osteoblasts. To test this hypothesis, we first demonstrated that PTH signaling activated CREB by phosphorylation in osteoblasts, and that both PTH and CREB were capable of promoting osteoblastic differentiation of primary mouse osteoblast cells and multiple rodent osteoblast cell lines. Importantly, we found that the PTH-CREB signaling pathway functioned as an effective activator of BMP2 expression, as pharmacologic and genetic modulation of PTH-CREB activity significantly affected BMP2 expression levels in these cells. Lastly, through multiple promoter assays, including promoter reporter deletion, mutation, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), we identified a specific CRE in the BMP2 promoter which is responsible for CREB transactivation of the BMP2 gene in osteoblasts. Together, these results demonstrate that the anabolic function of PTH signaling in bone is mediated, at least in part, by CREB transactivation of BMP2 expression in osteoblasts.

Nitric oxide regulates pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell expression of the inducible cAMP early repressor gene

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) structure and function, in part by activating soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) to synthesize cGMP. The objective of this study was to further characterize the signaling mechanisms by which NO regulates VSMC gene expression using transcription profiling. DNA microarrays were hybridized with RNA extracted from rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (RPaSMC) exposed to the NO donor compound, S-nitroso-glutathione (GSNO). Many of the genes, whose expression was induced by GSNO, contain a cAMP-response element (CRE), of which one encoded the inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER). sGC and cAMP-dependent protein kinase, but not cGMP-dependent protein kinase, were required for NO-mediated phosphorylation of CRE-binding protein (CREB) and induction of ICER gene expression. Expression of a dominant-negative CREB in RPaSMC prevented the NO-mediated induction of CRE-dependent gene transcription and ICER gene expression. Pre-treatment of RPaSMC with the intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) chelator, BAPTA-AM, blocked the induction of ICER gene expression by GSNO. The store-operated Ca(2+) channel inhibitors, 2-ABP, and SKF-96365, reduced the GSNO-mediated increase in ICER mRNA levels, while 2-ABP did not inhibit GSNO-induced CREB phosphorylation. Our results suggest that induction of ICER gene expression by NO requires both CREB phosphorylation and Ca(2+) signaling. Transcription profiling of RPaSMC exposed to GSNO revealed important roles for sGC, PKA, CREB, and Ca(2+) in the regulation of gene expression by NO. The induction of ICER in GSNO-treated RPaSMC highlights a novel cross-talk mechanism between cGMP and cAMP signaling pathways.

miR-132 mediates the integration of newborn neurons into the adult dentate gyrus

Neuronal activity enhances the elaboration of newborn neurons as they integrate into the synaptic circuitry of the adult brain. The role microRNAs play in the transduction of neuronal activity into growth and synapse formation is largely unknown. MicroRNAs can influence the expression of hundreds of genes and thus could regulate gene assemblies during processes like activity-dependent integration. Here, we developed viral-based methods for the in vivo detection and manipulation of the activity-dependent microRNA, miR-132, in the mouse hippocampus. We find, using lentiviral and retroviral reporters of miR-132 activity, that miR-132 is expressed at the right place and right time to influence the integration of newborn neurons. Retroviral knockdown of miR-132 using a specific ‘sponge’ containing multiple target sequences impaired the integration of newborn neurons into the excitatory synaptic circuitry of the adult brain. To assess potential miR-132 targets, we used a whole-genome microarray in PC12 cells, which have been used as a model of neuronal differentiation. miR-132 knockdown in PC12 cells resulted in the increased expression of hundreds of genes. Functional grouping indicated that genes involved in inflammatory/immune signaling were the most enriched class of genes induced by miR-132 knockdown. The correlation of miR-132 knockdown to increased proinflammatory molecular expression may indicate a mechanistic link whereby miR-132 functions as an endogenous mediator of activity-dependent integration in vivo.

Biological functions and transcriptional targets of CaRF in neurons

Calcium-response factor (CaRF) is a unique DNA-binding protein first recognized as a transcription factor for its role in modulating transcription of the gene encoding Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in neurons. Here I review evidence for the biological functions and transcriptional targets of CaRF in the brain and discuss potential mechanisms by which calcium-activated signaling pathways may modulate CaRF-dependent transcription. These data paint an emerging picture of CaRF as a regulatory nexus for signaling pathways that control aspects of synaptic development and neuronal function.

Enterovirus 71 modulates a COX-2/PGE2/cAMP-dependent viral replication in human neuroblastoma cells: role of the c-Src/EGFR/p42/p44 MAPK/CREB signaling pathway

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) has been shown to induce cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression in human neuroblastoma SK‐N‐SH cells through the action of MAPKs, NF‐κB, and AP‐1. On the other hand, the transcription factor CREB has also been implicated in the expression of COX‐2 in other cell lines. Here, we report that EV71‐induced COX‐2 expression and PGE₂ production were both inhibited by pretreatment with the PKA inhibitor H89 or by transfection with CREB siRNA. In addition, EV71‐induced COX‐2 expression and c‐Src/EGFR phosphorylation were both attenuated by transfection with c‐Src siRNA or pretreatment with the inhibitors of c‐Src (PP1) or EGF receptor (EGFR) (AG1478 and EGFR‐neutralizing antibody). We also observed that EV71‐induced p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation was decreased following pretreatment with AG1478. Moreover, EV71‐induced COX‐2 expression was blocked by pretreatment with the p300 inhibitor GR343 or by transfection with p300 siRNA. Using immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we observed that EV71 stimulated the association of CREB and p300 with the COX‐2 promoter region. Notably, we also demonstrated that EV71‐induced COX‐2 expression and PGE₂ production promoted viral replication via cAMP signaling. In summary, this study demonstrates that EV71 activates the c‐Src/EGFR/p42/p44 MAPK pathway in human SK‐N‐SH cell, which leads to the activation of CREB/p300, and stimulates COX‐2 expression and PGE₂ release. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 559–570, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Chronic methamphetamine exposure suppresses the striatal expression of members of multiple families of immediate early genes (IEGs) in the rat: normalization by an acute methamphetamine injection

RATIONALE

Repeated injections of cocaine cause blunted responses to acute cocaine challenge-induced increases in the expression of immediate early genes (IEGs).

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to test if chronic methamphetamine (METH) exposure might cause similar blunting of acute METH-induced increases in IEG expression.

RESULTS

Repeated saline or METH injections were given to rats over 14 days. After 1 day of withdrawal, they received a single injection of saline or METH (5 mg/kg). Acute injection of METH increased c-fos, fosB, fra2, junB, Egr1-3, Nr4a1 (Nur77), and Nr4a3 (Nor-1) mRNA levels in the striatum of saline-pretreated rats. Chronic METH treatment alone reduced the expression of AP1, Erg1-3, and Nr4a1 transcription factors below control levels. Acute METH challenge normalized these values in METH-pretreated rats. Unexpectedly, acute METH challenge to METH-pretreated animals caused further decreases in Nr4a2 (Nurr1) mRNA levels. In contrast, the METH challenge caused significant but blunted increases in Nr4a3 and Arc expression in METH-pretreated rats. There were also chronic METH-associated decreases in the expression of cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) which modulates IEG expression via activation of the cAMP/PKA/CREB signal transduction pathway. Chronic METH exposure also caused significant decreases in preprotachykinin, but not in prodynorphin, mRNA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the accumulated evidence that chronic administration of psychostimulants is associated with blunting of their acute stimulatory effects on IEG expression. The METH-induced renormalization of the expression of several IEGs in rats chronically exposed to METH hints to a potential molecular explanation for the recurrent self-administration of the drug by human addicts.

MicroRNAs: Meta-controllers of gene expression in synaptic activity emerge as genetic and diagnostic markers of human disease

MicroRNAs are members of the non-protein-coding family of RNAs. They serve as regulators of gene expression by modulating the translation and/or stability of messenger RNA targets. The discovery of microRNAs has revolutionized the field of cell biology, and has permanently altered the prevailing view of a linear relationship between gene and protein expression. The increased complexity of gene regulation is both exciting and daunting, as emerging evidence supports a pervasive role for microRNAs in virtually every cellular process. This review briefly describes microRNA processing and formation of RNA-induced silencing complexes, with a focus on the role of RNA binding proteins in this process. We also discuss mechanisms for microRNA-mediated regulation of translation, particularly in dendritic spine formation and function, and the role of microRNAs in synaptic plasticity. We then discuss the evidence for altered microRNA function in cognitive brain disorders, and the effect of gene mutations revealed by single nucleotide polymorphism analysis on altered microRNA function and human disease. Further, we present evidence that altered microRNA expression in circulating fluids such as plasma/serum can correlate with, and serve as, novel diagnostic biomarkers of human disease.

Dentate gyrus neurogenesis, integration and microRNAs

Neurons are born and become a functional part of the synaptic circuitry in adult brains. The proliferative phase of neurogenesis has been extensively reviewed. We therefore focus this review on a few topics addressing the functional role of adult-generated newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus. We discuss the evidence for a link between neurogenesis and behavior. We then describe the steps in the integration of newborn neurons into a functioning mature synaptic circuit. Given the profound effects of neural activity on the differentiation and integration of newborn neurons, we discuss the role of activity-dependent gene expression in the birth and maturation of newborn neurons. The differentiation and maturation of newborn neurons likely involves the concerted action of many genes. Thus we focus on transcription factors that can direct large changes to the transcriptome, and microRNAs, a newly-discovered class of molecules that can effect the expression of hundreds of genes. How microRNAs affect the generation and integration of newborn neurons is just being explored, but there are compelling clues hinting at their involvement.

CREB and the CRTC co-activators: sensors for hormonal and metabolic signals

The cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) is phosphorylated in response to a wide variety of signals, yet target gene transcription is only increased in a subset of cases. Recent studies indicate that CREB functions in concert with a family of latent cytoplasmic co-activators called cAMP-regulated transcriptional co-activators (CRTCs), which are activated through dephosphorylation. A dual requirement for CREB phosphorylation and CRTC dephosphorylation is likely to explain how these activator-co-activator cognates discriminate between different stimuli. Following their activation, CREB and CRTCs mediate the effects of fasting and feeding signals on the expression of metabolic programmes in insulin-sensitive tissues.

KDM5B regulates embryonic stem cell self-renewal and represses cryptic intragenic transcription

Although regulation of histone methylation is believed to contribute to embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal, the mechanisms remain obscure. We show here that the histone H3 trimethyl lysine 4 (H3K4me3) demethylase, KDM5B, is a downstream Nanog target and critical for ESC self-renewal. Although KDM5B is believed to function as a promoter-bound repressor, we find that it paradoxically functions as an activator of a gene network associated with self-renewal. ChIP-Seq reveals that KDM5B is predominantly targeted to intragenic regions and that it is recruited to H3K36me3 via an interaction with the chromodomain protein MRG15. Depletion of KDM5B or MRG15 increases intragenic H3K4me3, increases cryptic intragenic transcription, and inhibits transcriptional elongation of KDM5B target genes. We propose that KDM5B activates self-renewal-associated gene expression by repressing cryptic initiation and maintaining an H3K4me3 gradient important for productive transcriptional elongation.