Characterization of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha as a cyclic AMP-responsive nuclear regulator

Elucidation of Melanogenesis-Associated Signaling Pathways Regulated by Argan Press Cake in B16 Melanoma Cells

The beneficial effect on health of argan oil is recognized worldwide. We have previously reported that the cake that remains after argan oil extraction (argan press-cake or APC) inhibits melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells in a time-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. In this study, the global gene expression profile of B16 melanoma cells treated with APC extract was determined in order to gain an understanding of the possible mechanisms of action of APC. The results suggest that APC extract inhibits melanin biosynthesis by down-regulating microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) and its downstream signaling pathway through JNK signaling activation, and the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin and cAMP/PKA signaling pathways. APC extract also prevented the transport of melanosomes by down-regulating Rab27a expression. These results suggest that APC may be an important natural skin whitening product and pharmacological agent used for clinical treatment of pigmentary disorders.

Drugs Involved in Dyslipidemia and Obesity Treatment: Focus on Adipose Tissue

Metabolic syndrome can be defined as a state of disturbed metabolic homeostasis characterized by visceral obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, and insulin resistance. The growing prevalence of metabolic syndrome will certainly contribute to the burden of cardiovascular disease. Obesity and dyslipidemia are main features of metabolic syndrome, and both can present with adipose tissue dysfunction, involved in the pathogenic mechanisms underlying this syndrome. We revised the effects, and underlying mechanisms, of the current approved drugs for dyslipidemia and obesity (fibrates, statins, niacin, resins, ezetimibe, and orlistat; sibutramine; and diethylpropion, phentermine/topiramate, bupropion and naltrexone, and liraglutide) on adipose tissue. Specifically, we explored how these drugs can modulate the complex pathways involved in metabolism, inflammation, atherogenesis, insulin sensitivity, and adipogenesis. The clinical outcomes of adipose tissue modulation by these drugs, as well as differences of major importance for clinical practice between drugs of the same class, were identified. Whether solutions to these issues will be found in further adjustments and combinations between drugs already in use or necessarily in new advances in pharmacology is not known. To better understand the effect of drugs used in dyslipidemia and obesity on adipose tissue not only is challenging for physicians but could also be the next step to tackle cardiovascular disease.

Identification of a novel microRNA important for melanogenesis in alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

The molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of coat colors in animals are poorly understood. Recent studies have demonstrated that microRNA play important roles in the control of melanogenesis and coat color in mammals. In a previous study, we characterized the miRNA expression profiles in alpaca skin with brown and white coat color and identified a novel miRNA (named lpa-miR-nov-66) that is expressed significantly higher in white skin compared to brown skin. The present study was conducted to determine the functional roles of this novel miRNA in the regulation of melanogenesis in alpaca melanocytes. lpa-miR-nov-66 is predicted to target the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) gene based on presence of a binding site in the sGC coding sequence (CDS). Overexpression of lpa-miR-nov-66 in alpaca melanocyes upregulated the expression of sGC both at the mRNA and protein level. Overexpression of lpa-miR-nov-66 in melanocyes also resulted in decreased expression of key melanogenic genes including tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase related protein 1 (TYRP1), and microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF). Our ELISA assays showed increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) but decreased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in melanocytes overexpressing lpa-miR-nov-66. In addition, overexpression of lpa-miR-nov-66 also reduced melanin production in cultured melanocytes. Results support a role of lpa-miR-nov-66 in melanocytes by directly or indirectly targeting , which regulates melanogenesis via the cAMP pathway.

Revisiting the adipocyte: a model for integration of cytokine signaling in the regulation of energy metabolism

Adipose tissue constitutes an extremely active endocrine organ with a network of signaling pathways enabling the organism to adapt to a wide range of different metabolic challenges, such as starvation, stress, infection, and short periods of gross energy excess. The functional pleiotropism of adipose tissue relies on its ability to synthesize and release a huge variety of hormones, cytokines, complement and growth factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and vasoactive factors, collectively termed adipokines. Obesity is associated with adipose tissue dysfunction leading to the onset of several pathologies including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver, or hypertension, among others. The mechanisms underlying the development of obesity and its associated comorbidities include the hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia of adipocytes, adipose tissue inflammation, impaired extracellular matrix remodeling, and fibrosis together with an altered secretion of adipokines. Recently, the potential role of brown and beige adipose tissue in the protection against obesity has been also recognized. In contrast to white adipocytes, which store energy in the form of fat, brown and beige fat cells display energy-dissipating capacity through the promotion of triacylglycerol clearance, glucose disposal, and generation of heat for thermogenesis. Identification of the morphological and molecular changes in white, beige, and brown adipose tissue during weight gain is of utmost relevance for the identification of pharmacological targets for the treatment of obesity and its associated metabolic diseases.

Agouti signalling protein is an inverse agonist to the wildtype and agonist to the melanic variant of the melanocortin-1 receptor in the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

The melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) is a key regulator of mammalian pigmentation. Melanism in the grey squirrel is associated with an eight amino acid deletion in the mutant melanocortin-1 receptor with 24 base pair deletion (MC1RΔ24) variant. We demonstrate that the MC1RΔ24 exhibits a higher basal activity than the wildtype MC1R (MC1R-wt). We demonstrate that agouti signalling protein (ASIP) is an inverse agonist to the MC1R-wt but is an agonist to the MC1RΔ24. We conclude that the deletion in the MC1RΔ24 leads to a receptor with a high basal activity which is further activated by ASIP. This is the first report of ASIP acting as an agonist to MC1R.

Dual inhibition of γ-oryzanol on cellular melanogenesis: inhibition of tyrosinase activity and reduction of melanogenic gene expression by a protein kinase A-dependent mechanism

The in vitro effects on melanogenesis of γ-oryzanol (1), a rice bran-derived phytosterol, were investigated. The melanin content in B16F1 cells was significantly and dose-dependently reduced (-13% and -28% at 3 and 30 μM, respectively). Tyrosinase enzyme activity was inhibited by 1 both in a cell-free assay and when analyzed based on the measurement of cellular tyrosinase activity. Transcriptome analysis was performed to investigate the biological pathways altered by 1, and it was found that gene expression involving protein kinase A (PKA) signaling was markedly altered. Subsequent analyses revealed that 1 stimulation in B16 cells reduced cytosolic cAMP concentrations, PKA activity (-13% for cAMP levels and -40% for PKA activity), and phosphorylation of the cAMP-response element binding protein (-57%), which, in turn, downregulated the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF; -59% for mRNA and -64% for protein), a key melanogenic gene transcription factor. Accordingly, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1; -69% for mRNA and -82% for protein) and dopachrome tautomerase (-51% for mRNA and -92% for protein) in 1-stimulated B16F1 cells were also downregulated. These results suggest that 1 has dual inhibitory activities for cellular melanogenesis by inhibiting tyrosinase enzyme activity and reducing MITF and target genes in the PKA-dependent pathway.

Hormonal regulation of gluconeogenic gene transcription in the liver

Glucose homeostasis in mammals is achieved by the actions of counterregulatory hormones, namely insulin, glucagon and glucocorticoids. Glucose levels in the circulation are regulated by the liver, the metabolic centre which produces glucose when it is scarce in the blood. This process is catalysed by two rate-limiting enzymes, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) whose gene expression is regulated by hormones. Hormone response units (HRUs) present in the two genes integrate signals from various signalling pathways triggered by hormones. How such domains are arranged in the regulatory region of these two genes, how this complex regulation is accomplished and the latest advancements in the field are discussed in this review.

The coactivator SRC-1 is an essential coordinator of hepatic glucose production

Gluconeogenesis makes a major contribution to hepatic glucose production, a process critical for survival in mammals. In this study, we identify the p160 family member, SRC-1, as a key coordinator of the hepatic gluconeogenic program in vivo. SRC-1-null mice displayed hypoglycemia secondary to a deficit in hepatic glucose production. Selective re-expression of SRC-1 in the liver restored blood glucose levels to a normal range. SRC-1 was found induced upon fasting to coordinate in a cell-autonomous manner, the gene expression of rate-limiting enzymes of the gluconeogenic pathway. At the molecular level, the main role of SRC-1 was to modulate the expression and the activity of C/EBPα through a feed-forward loop in which SRC-1 used C/EBPα to transactivate pyruvate carboxylase, a crucial gene for initiation of the gluconeogenic program. We propose that SRC-1 acts as a critical mediator of glucose homeostasis in the liver by adjusting the transcriptional activity of key genes involved in the hepatic glucose production machinery.

Combinatorial transcription factor regulation of the cyclic AMP-response element on the Pgc-1alpha promoter in white 3T3-L1 and brown HIB-1B preadipocytes

Cold stress in rodents increases the expression of UCP1 and PGC-1alpha in brown and white adipose tissue. We have previously reported that C/EBPbeta specifically binds to the CRE on the proximal Pgc-1alpha promoter and increases forskolin-sensitive Pgc-1alpha and Ucp1 expression in white 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Here we show that in mice exposed to a cold environment for 24 h, Pgc-1alpha, Ucp1, and C/ebpbeta but not C/ebpalpha or C/ebpdelta expression were increased in BAT. Conversely, expression of the C/EBP dominant negative Chop10 was increased in WAT but not BAT during cold exposure. Reacclimatization of cold-exposed mice to a warm environment for 24 h completely reversed these changes in gene expression. In HIB-1B, brown preadipocytes, forskolin increased expression of Pgc-1alpha, Ucp1, and C/ebpbeta early in differentiation and inhibited Chop10 expression. Employing chromatin immunoprecipitation, we demonstrate that C/EBPbeta, CREB, ATF-2, and CHOP10 are bound to the Pgc-1alpha proximal CRE, but CHOP10 does not bind in HIB-1B cell lysates. Forskolin stimulation and C/EBPbeta overexpression in 3T3-L1 cells increased C/EBPbeta and CREB but displaced ATF-2 and CHOP10 binding to the Pgc-1alpha proximal CRE. Overexpression of ATF-2 and CHOP10 in 3T3-L1 cells decreased Pgc-1alpha transcription. Knockdown of Chop10 in 3T3-L1 cells using siRNA increased Pgc-1alpha transcription, whereas siRNA against C/ebpbeta in HIB-1B cells decreased Pgc-1alpha and Ucp1 expression. We conclude that the increased cAMP stimulation of Pgc-1alpha expression is regulated by the combinatorial effect of transcription factors acting at the CRE on the proximal Pgc-1alpha promoter.

Factors That Control the Tissue-Specific Transcription of the Gene for Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase-C

Transcription of the gene for PEPCK-C occurs in a number of mammalian tissues, with highest expression occurring in the liver, kidney cortex, and white and brown adipose tissue. Several hormones and other factors, including glucagon, epinephrine, insulin, glucocorticoids and metabolic acidosis, control this process in three responsive tissues, liver, adipose tissue, and kidney cortex. Expression of the gene in these three tissues in regulated in a different manner, responding to the specific physiological role of the tissue. The PEPCK-C gene promoter has been extensively studied and a number of regulatory regions identified that bind key transcription factors and render the gene responsive to hormonal and dietary stimuli. This review will focus on the control of transcription for the gene, with special emphasis on our current understanding of the transcription factors that are involved in the response of PEPCK-C gene in specific tissues. We have also reviewed the biological function of PEPCK-C in each of the tissues discussed in this review, in order to place the control of PEPCK-C gene transcription in the appropriate physiological context. Because of its extraordinary importance in mammalian metabolism and its broad pattern of tissue-specific expression, the PEPCK-C gene has become a model for studying the biological basis of the control of gene transcription.

Activating Transcription Factor/cAMP Response Element Binding Protein Family Member Regulated Transcription of CD1A

CD1a has a unique expression pattern among Ag-presenting molecules, expressed specifically on cortical thymocytes and APCs. As autoimmune disease, infection, and tumors can all result in alteration of CD1a expression, we are attempting to characterize the transcriptional regulation, and thus shed some light on specific expression, of CD1A. In this study, we have identified a minimal proximal promoter region required for CD1A transcription. Computer searches within this region identified numerous potential binding sites for lymphoid-specific transcription factors, including the ETS transcription factors, C/EBP, GATA, and CREB. Deletion and site-specific mutant analysis revealed a critical role of a potential cAMP response element (CRE) 965 bp upstream of the CD1A translation start site. Two activating transcription factor (ATF)/CREB family members, CREB-1 and ATF-2, are able to bind this site in vitro and in vivo. Notably, activation of ATF/CREB family members decreases CD1A transcription, while decrease in ATF-2 expression results in increased CD1A RNA level. The fact that these factors also bind the CD1A promoter in human monocytes strongly suggests a role for ATF/CREB family members in regulation of CD1A expression.

Flavonoids attenuate cardiovascular disease, inhibit phosphodiesterase, and modulate lipid homeostasis in adipose tissue and liver

Plant flavonoids are widely distributed polyphenolic compounds of the human diet. They consist of six major classes based on specific structural differences: flavonols, flavones, flavanones, catechins, anthocyanidins, and isoflavones. All of the major classes of flavonoids are comprised of three six-membered rings: an aromatic A-ring fused to a heterocyclic C-ring that is attached through a single carbon-carbon bond to an aromatic Bring. Population studies have shown that flavonoid intake is inversely correlated with mortality from cardiovascular disease, and numerous flavonoids of dietary significance have been shown to beneficially impact parameters associated with atherosclerosis, including lipoprotein oxidation, blood platelet aggregation, and vascular reactivity. Therapeutic effects of flavonoids on platelet aggregability and blood pressure have been attributed to competitive inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE), an elevation in cAMP level, and subsequent activation of protein kinase A (cAMP-dependent protein kinase). In addition, flavonoids may induce neutral lipid hydrolysis from lipid stores through PDE inhibition in adipose tissue and liver. Indeed, the three-dimensional structure of many flavonoids is sterically and electrostatically compatible with the catalytic site of cAMP PDE3 and PDE4. Flavonoids have also been reported to suppress pathways of lipid biosynthesis and of very low-density lipoprotein production in cultured hepatocytes. Continued studies of the biochemical mechanisms underlying the biological effects of plant flavonoids may uncover new strategies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, as well as associated conditions such as obesity, hepatic steatosis, and Type 2 diabetes.

Identification of a Co-repressor That Inhibits the Transcriptional and Growth-Arrest Activities of CCAAT/Enhancer-binding Protein α

We used a yeast two-hybrid screening approach to identify novel interactors of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) that may offer insight into its mechanism of action and regulation. One clone obtained was that for CA150, a nuclear protein previously characterized as a transcriptional elongation factor. In this report, we show that CA150 is a widely expressed co-repressor of C/EBP proteins. Two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation analyses indicated that CA150 interacts with C/EBPalpha. Overexpression of CA150 inhibited the transactivation produced by C/EBPalpha and was also able to reverse the enhancing effect of the co-activator p300 on C/EBPbeta-mediated transactivation. Analysis of C/EBPalpha mutants indicated that CA150 interacts with C/EBPalpha primarily through a domain spanning amino acids 135-150. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that CA150 was present on a promoter that is repressed by C/EBPalpha but not present on a promoter that is activated by C/EBPalpha. Finally, we showed that in cells in which growth arrest had been induced by ectopic expression of C/EBPalpha, CA150 was able to release them from growth arrest. Interestingly, CA150 could not reverse the growth arrest produced by the minimal growth-arrest domain of C/EBPalpha (amino acids 175-217), suggesting that the effect of CA150 was directed at a region of C/EBPalpha outside of this minimal domain, consistent with our two-hybrid analysis. Taken together, these data indicate that CA150 is a co-repressor of C/EBP proteins and provides a possible mechanism for how C/EBPalpha can repress transcription of specific genes.

Signal-dependent control of gluconeogenic key enzyme genes through coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1

Together with impaired glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, elevated hepatic gluconeogenesis is largely responsible for the hyperglycemic phenotype in type II diabetic patients. Intracellular glucocorticoid and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A-dependent signaling pathways contribute to aberrant hepatic glucose production through the induction of gluconeogenic enzyme gene expression. Here we show that the coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) is required for cAMP-mediated activation of rate-limiting gluconeogenic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK; EC 4.1.1.32) and glucose-6-phosphatase genes. Mutational analysis showed that CARM1 mediates its effect via the cAMP-responsive element within the PEPCK promoter, which is identified here as a CARM1 target in vivo. In hepatocytes, endogenous CARM1 physically interacts with cAMP-responsive element binding factor CREB and is recruited to the PEPCK and glucose-6-phosphatase promoters in a cAMP-dependent manner associated with increased promoter methylation. CARM1 might, therefore, represent a critical component of cAMP-dependent glucose metabolism in the liver.

IL-1 beta-dependent regulation of C/EBP delta transcriptional activity

We have previously shown that the transcription factor C/EBP delta is involved in the intestinal inflammatory response. C/EBP delta regulates several inflammatory response genes, such as haptoglobin, in the rat intestinal epithelial cell line IEC-6 in response to IL-1. However, the different C/EBP delta domains involved in IL-1 beta-mediated transcriptional activation and the kinases implicated have not been properly defined. To address this, we determined the role of the p38 MAP kinase in the regulation of C/EBP delta transcriptional activity. The IL-1-dependent induction of the acute phase protein gene haptoglobin in IEC-6 cells was decreased in response to the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580, as determined by Northern blot. Transcriptional activity of C/EBP delta was repressed by the specific inhibitor of the p38 MAP kinase, as assessed by transient transfection assays. Mutagenesis studies and transient transfection assays revealed an important domain for transcriptional activation between amino acids 70 and 108. This domain overlapped with a docking site for the p38 MAP kinase, between amino acids 75 and 85, necessary to insure C/EBP delta phosphorylation. Deletion of this domain led to a decrease in basal transcriptional activity of C/EBP delta and in p300-dependent transactivation, as assessed by transient transfection assays, and in IL-1-dependent haptoglobin induction. This unusual arrangement of a kinase docking site within a transactivation domain may functionally be important for the regulation of C/EBP delta transcriptional activity.

Functional cooperation between CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins and the vitamin D receptor in regulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 24-hydroxylase

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] induces the synthesis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 24-hydroxylase [24(OH)ase], an enzyme involved in its catabolism, thereby regulating its own metabolism. Here we demonstrate that CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) is induced by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in kidney and in osteoblastic cells and is a potent enhancer of vitamin D receptor (VDR)-mediated 24(OH)ase transcription. Transfection studies indicate that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) induction of 24(OH)ase transcription is enhanced a maximum of 10-fold by C/EBPbeta. Suppression of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced 24(OH)ase transcription was observed with dominant negative C/EBP or osteoblastic cells from C/EBPbeta(-/-) mice. A C/EBP site was identified at positions -395 to -388 (-395/-388) in the rat 24(OH)ase promoter. Mutation of this site inhibited C/EBPbeta binding and markedly attenuated the transcriptional response to C/EBPbeta. We also report the cooperation of CBP/p300 with C/EBPbeta in regulating VDR-mediated 24(OH)ase transcription. We found that not only 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) but also parathyroid hormone (PTH) can induce C/EBPbeta expression in osteoblastic cells. PTH potentiated the induction of C/EBPbeta and 24(OH)ase expression in response to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in osteoblastic cells. Data with the human VDR promoter (which contains two putative C/EBP sites) indicate a role for C/EBPbeta in the protein kinase A-mediated induction of VDR transcription. From this study a fundamental role has been established for the first time for cooperative effects and cross talk between the C/EBP family of transcription factors and VDR in 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced transcription. These findings also indicate a novel role for C/EBPbeta in the cross talk between PTH and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) that involves the regulation of VDR transcription.

Role of basic region leucine zipper transcription factors cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB), CREB2, activating transcription factor 2 and CAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha in cyclic AMP response element-mediated transcription

The transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), a member of the basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) family of proteins, is the major cAMP response element (CRE) binding. Other bZIP proteins, including CREB2, activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2), or CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) have been reported to transactivate CRE-containing genes or to interfere with transactivation by CREB. We have designed a simple transactivation assay using expression of either a constitutively active CREB mutant or a nuclear targeted mutant of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In both cases, a striking stimulation of transcription of CRE-containing reporter genes was observed in noradrenergic locus coeruleus-like CATH.a cells. In addition, a constitutively active mutant of ATF2 specifically transactivated a secretogranin II promoter/luciferase reporter gene, but had no effect on the tyrosine hydroxylase promoter. In contrast, CREB2 and C/EBPalpha did not transactivate CRE-containing reporter genes, indicating that these bZIP proteins target distinct genetic elements. Experiments involving dominant-negative bZIP mutants revealed that CREB does not heterodimerize with CREB2, ATF2, c-Jun or C/EBP. Rather, CREB and ATF2 compete for binding to the CRE, and are independently able to up-regulate transcription of genes containing CRE motifs in their regulatory regions.

Regulation of GTP cyclohydrolase I gene transcription by basic region leucine zipper transcription factors

Tetrahydrobiopterin is an essential cofactor for the phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases, and the family of nitric oxide synthases. The initial and rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin is GTP cyclohydrolase I. The proximal promoter of the human GTP cyclohydrolase I gene contains the sequence motif 5'-TGACGCGA-3', resembling a cAMP response element (CRE). The objective of this study was to analyze the regulation of GTP cyclohydrolase I gene transcription by basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors. A constitutively active mutant of the cAMP response element binding (CREB) protein strongly stimulated GTP cyclohydrolase I promoter activity, indicating that the CRE in the context of the GTP cyclohydrolase I gene is functional. Likewise, GTP cyclohydrolase I promoter/luciferase gene transcription was stimulated following nuclear expression of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Constitutively active mutants of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) and c-Jun additionally stimulated GTP cyclohydrolase I promoter activity, but to a lesser extent than the constitutively active CREB mutant. The fact that stress-activated protein kinases target the GTP cyclohydrolase I gene was corroborated by expression experiments involving p38 and MEKK1 protein kinases. We conclude that signaling pathways involving either the cAMP-dependent protein kinase or stress-activated protein kinases converge to the GTP cyclohydrolase I gene. Hence, enzymatic reactions that require tetrahydrobiopterin as cofactor are therefore indirectly controlled by signaling cascades involving the signal-responsive transcription factors CREB, c-Jun, and ATF2.

3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein are dispensable for insulin inhibition of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase transcription and for its synergistic induction by protein kinase A and glucocorticoids

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) transcription is induced by cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) and glucocorticoids [dexamethasone (Dex)] and is inhibited by insulin to regulate blood glucose. Recent reports suggested that CCAAT enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) binding to the PEPCK cAMP response element (CRE) plays a role in Dex induction and that insulin-induces inhibitory forms of C/EBPbeta to inhibit transcription. Here, we assessed the roles of CRE-binding protein (CREB) and C/EBP factors in mediating hormone-regulated transcription. Neither cAMP nor insulin regulated the phosphorylation of C/EBP. Cycloheximide did not block insulin inhibition, indicating that alternate translation of C/EBPbeta is not required. Dominant-negative CREB or C/EBP blocked induction by PKA, but neither affected regulation by Dex or insulin. Tethering the activation domains of CREB or C/EBP to a CRE-->Gal4 (G4) site mediated varying extents of basal and PKA-inducible activity, but neither activation domain affected induction by Dex or inhibition by insulin. Surprisingly, synergistic induction by PKA and Dex did not require the CRE and was unaffected by dominant-negative CREB or C/EBP. PKA and Dex also synergistically induced a minimal 3 x glucocorticoid response element promoter, but inhibited Dex induction of the mouse mammary tumor virus and IGF-binding protein 1 promoters, even though PKA alone did not regulate these promoters. These results suggest that PKA modifies the activity of other factors involved in Dex induction to mediate synergistic induction or inhibition in a promoter-specific manner. Our data indicate that the roles of CREB and C/EBP are restricted to mediating PEPCK induction by PKA, and that other factors mediate PEPCK induction by Dex, synergism between PKA and Dex, and inhibition by insulin.

Synergistic activation of CREB-mediated transcription by forskolin and phorbol ester requires PKC and depends on the glutamine-rich Q2 transactivation domain

Recruitment of a RNA polymerase II complex by the glutamine-rich Q2 domain of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) allows basal transcriptional activity, while recruitment of CBP/p300 through signal-induced phosphorylation of the kinase-inducible domain at serine-133 enhances CREB-dependent transcription. Here we demonstrate that co-administration of forskolin and phorbol ester TPA to NIH3T3 cells provoked a dose-dependent increase in phosphoserine-133. CREB- and Q2-dependent transcription, as well as transcription by other glutamine-rich transcription factors, but not by transcription factors lacking glutamine-rich regions, augmented synergistically in the presence of both stimuli. Synergistic activation was abograted by specific inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC), but not of PKA. Co-stimulation increased the basal activity of a minimal, CREB-independent promoter. Therefore, Q2, which directly interacts with the RNA polymerase II initiation complex, may transmit the increased basal promoter activity provoked by these stimuli to CREB, thereby contributing to synergistic activation of CREB-mediated transcription. This synergism may have important implications on glutamine-rich transcription factor-target genes.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein family members recruit the coactivator CREB-binding protein and trigger its phosphorylation

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family members are transcription factors involved in important physiological processes, such as cellular proliferation and differentiation, regulation of energy homeostasis, inflammation, and hematopoiesis. Transcriptional activation by C/EBPalpha and C/EBPbeta involves the coactivators CREB-binding protein (CBP) and p300, which promote transcription by acetylating histones and recruiting basal transcription factors. In this study, we show that C/EBPdelta is also using CBP as a coactivator. Based on sequence homology with C/EBPalpha and -beta, we identify in C/EBPdelta two conserved amino acid segments that are necessary for the physical interaction with CBP. Using reporter gene assays, we demonstrate that mutation of these residues prevents CBP recruitment and diminishes the transactivating potential of C/EBPdelta. In addition, our results indicate that C/EBP family members not only recruit CBP but specifically induce its phosphorylation. We provide evidence that CBP phosphorylation depends on its interaction with C/EBPdelta and define point mutations within one of the two conserved amino acid segments of C/EBPdelta that abolish CBP phosphorylation as well as transcriptional activation, suggesting that this new mechanism could be important for C/EBP-mediated transcription.

cAMP-induced Interleukin-10 promoter activation depends on CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein expression and monocytic differentiation

The molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of interleukin (IL)-10 transcription in monocytic cells by various stimuli during inflammation and the stress reaction are not fully understood. Recently, we provided evidence that stress-induced IL-10 promoter activation in monocytic cells is mediated by catecholamines via a cAMP-dependent signaling pathway including CREB/ATF (cAMP-responsive element binding protein/activating transcription factor) binding to two CRE motifs. However, the mutation of these sites diminished cAMP responsiveness by only 50%, suggesting a role for additional transcription factors and elements in the cAMP-dependent regulation of the human IL-10 promoter. Here, we analyze the functional role of one such factor, C/EBP, in two cell lines of myelomonocytic origin, THP-1 and HL-60, which are known to differ in their differentiation status and C/EBP protein content. We show that the level of basal as well as cAMP-stimulated IL-10 transcription depends on the expression of C/EBP alpha and beta and their binding to three motifs in the promoter/enhancer region. The C/EBP5 motif, which is located between the TATA-box and the translation start point, is essential for the C/EBP-mediated constitutive and most of the cAMP-stimulated expression as its mutation nearly abolished IL-10 promoter activity. Our results suggest a dominant role of C/EBP transcription factors relative to CREB/ATF in tissue-specific and differentiation-dependent IL-10 transcription.

Different transcription factor binding arrays modulate the cAMP responsivity of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene promoter

The cAMP responsiveness of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene promoter is mediated by a cAMP response unit, which includes three CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBPs) sites, and a cAMP response element (CRE). Because both the CRE-binding protein and several C/EBP isoforms can to bind to the CRE with similar affinity, a variety of transcription factor bindings arrays in the cAMP response unit are possible that may affect the protein kinase A (PKA) responsivity of the promoter. To explore this issue, we have designed PEPCK promoter variants that have the native cis-elements within the cAMP response unit replaced with one or more LexA- and/or GAL4-binding sites. We also engineered the corresponding C/EBP and CRE-binding protein chimeras, which have their basic region leucine zipper domains replaced with LexA or GAL4 DNA-binding domains. Using this approach, we have reconstituted the PKA responsiveness of permissive PEPCK promoters in hepatoma cells and have characterized the PKA responsivity of the promoter under defined transcription factor occupancy patterns. Furthermore, analysis of deletion mutants of C/EBPalpha indicated that the domains that mediate its constitutive and PKA-inducible activities vary depending on which cis-element it occupies on the PEPCK promoter. These results suggest that promoter context may influence which domains within a transcription factor are employed to mediate transactivation.

Ethanol induction of class I alcohol dehydrogenase expression in the rat occurs through alterations in CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins beta and gamma

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) is the principal ethanol-metabolizing enzyme. Ethanol induces rat Class I ADH mRNA and activity by an as yet unknown mechanism. In the current study, adult male rats were fed an ethanol-containing diet by continuous intragastric infusion for 42 days. Hepatic Class I ADH mRNA, protein, and activity levels in the ethanol-infused rats increased 3.9-, 3.3-, and 1.7-fold, respectively (p <0.05). Cis-acting elements within the proximal promoter region of the ADH gene were studied by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Hepatic nuclear extract (HNE) binding to either the consensus or ADH-specific CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) sites was >2.4-fold greater in ethanol-fed rats (p <0.05) than controls. Antibody-specific EMSA assays demonstrated binding of the transcription factor C/EBPbeta to the C/EBP site. Western blot immunoblot analysis of HNEs demonstrated 3.5- and 2.3-fold increases in C/EBPbeta (LAP) and C/EBPdelta (p <0.05), respectively, in ethanol-fed rats compared with controls, whereas levels of the truncated C/EBPbeta (LIP) and C/EBPgamma were lower in ethanol-fed rats (p <0.05). HNE from ethanol-fed rats increased (3-fold) the in vitro transcription of rat Class I ADH (p <0.05), and mutation of the C/EBP element in the proximal promoter region blocked this effect. Antisera against LIP or C/EBPgamma enhanced transcription efficiency (p <0.05). These data provide the first evidence for the mechanism by which ethanol regulates rat hepatic Class I ADH gene expression in vivo. This mechanism involves the C/EBP site and the enhancer binding proteins beta and gamma.

Morphological color changes in fish: Regulation of pigment cell density and morphology

Pigment cells enable fish to change their coloration. It has been recognized that fish color changes can be divided into two categories; one is a physiological color change, which is attributed to rapid motile responses of chromatophores, and the other is a morphological color change, which results from changes in the morphology and density of chromatophores. Long-term adaptation of fish to a certain background can be a general cue to morphological color changes, and has been studied from the beginning of the 19th century. Although the motile mechanism and its control in fish chromatophores are now being elucidated, it is not yet clear how chromatophores change their density and what controls morphological color changes. In recent years, chromatophores, especially melanophores, have been shown to differentiate and to die by apoptosis under the influence of factors that regulate motile responses. Those factors are likely to utilize common intracellular signaling pathways used in part to regulate both types of color changes. In this article, after briefly reviewing the history of early studies, recent findings are discussed relevant to increases or decreases in chromatophores, and changes in their morphology. Finally, morphological color changes are discussed as physiological phenomena involved in the balance between differentiation and apoptosis of chromatophores.

Conserved amino acids within CCAAT enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP(alpha) and beta) regulate phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene expression

Thyroid hormone and cAMP stimulate transcription of the gene for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). CCAAT enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP(alpha) and beta) are involved in multiple aspects of the nutritional, developmental and hormonal regulation of PEPCK gene expression. Previously, we have identified a thyroid hormone response element in the PEPCK promoter and demonstrated that C/EBP proteins bound to the P3(I) site are participants in the induction of PEPCK gene expression by thyroid hormone and cAMP. Here, we identify several peptide regions within the transactivation domain of C/EBP(alpha) that enhance the ability of T(3) to stimulate gene transcription. We also demonstrate that several conserved amino acids in the transactivation domain of C/EBP(alpha) and C/EBPbeta are required for the stimulation of basal gene expression and identify amino acids within C/EBPbeta that participate in the cAMP induction of the PEPCK gene. Finally, we show that the CREB-binding protein (CBP) enhanced the induction of PEPCK gene transcription by thyroid hormone and that CBP is associated with the PEPCK gene in vivo. Our results indicate that both C/EBP proteins and CBP participate in the regulation of PEPCK gene transcription by thyroid hormone.

CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins: do they possess intrinsic cAMP-inducible activity?

CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) are transcription factors that are enriched in tissues which play a central role in energy metabolism, such as adipose and liver. Structure/function analyses of these proteins have identified several transactivation domains, some of which can physically interact with general transcription factors present in the preinitiation complex. C/EBPs are generally considered to be constitutively-acting factors, unlike other transcription factors whose activities can be regulated by covalent modification, binding of a specific ligand, etc. However, studies of the regulatory property of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene promoter have uncovered a role for C/EBPs in mediating cAMP responsiveness, and identified specific domains within the proteins, which mediate this effect. Interestingly, a number of other gene promoters that are activated in response to cAMP also contain binding sites for C/EBP, and these binding sites are often located within the region of the promoter that is responsible for mediating the acute responsiveness to cAMP. The evidence presented in this review provides compelling support for the hypothesis that C/EBPs have both constitutive and cAMP-inducible activities, and should be considered as a cAMP-responsive nuclear regulator.

The role of C/EBP in nutrient and hormonal regulation of gene expression

C/EBPs are a family of transcription factors that play important roles in energy metabolism. Although initially thought to be constitutive regulators of transcription, an increasing amount of evidence indicates that their transactivating capacity within the cell can be modulated by nutrients and hormones. There are several mechanisms whereby this occurs. First, hormones/nutrients are known to directly alter the expression of C/EBPs. Second, hormones/nutrients may cause an alteration in the phosphorylation state of C/EBPs, which can affect their DNA-binding activity or transactivating capacity. Third, C/EBPs can function as accessory factors on gene promoters within a hormone response unit, interacting with other transcription factors to enhance the degree of responsiveness to specific hormones. Given their role in regulating genes involved in a wide variety of metabolic events, advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of C/EBPs will undoubtedly further our appreciation for the role these transcription factors play in both health and disease.

C/EBPalpha arrests cell proliferation through direct inhibition of Cdk2 and Cdk4

The transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) is a strong inhibitor of cell proliferation. We found that C/EBPalpha directly interacts with cdk2 and cdk4 and arrests cell proliferation by inhibiting these kinases. We mapped a short growth inhibitory region of C/EBPalpha between amino acids 175 and 187. This portion of C/EBPalpha is responsible for direct inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases and causes growth arrest in cultured cells. C/EBPalpha inhibits cdk2 activity by blocking the association of cdk2 with cyclins. Importantly, the activities of cdk4 and cdk2 are increased in C/EBPalpha knockout livers, leading to increased proliferation. Our data demonstrate that the liver-specific transcription factor C/EBPalpha brings about growth arrest through direct inhibition of cdk2 and cdk4.

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c mimics the negative effect of insulin on phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) gene transcription

We have assessed the potential role of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) on the transcription of the gene for the cytosolic form of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (EC ) (PEPCK-C). SREBP-1c introduced into primary hepatocytes with an adenovirus vector caused a total loss of PEPCK-C mRNA and a marked induction of fatty acid synthase mRNA that directly coincided with the appearance of SREBP-1c in the hepatocytes. It also blocked the induction of PEPCK-C mRNA by cAMP and dexamethasone in these cells. In contrast, a dominant negative form of SREBP-1c (dnSREBP-1c) stimulated the accumulation of PEPCK-C mRNA in these cells. SREBP-1c completely blocked the induction of PEPCK-C gene transcription by the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA), and increasing concentrations of dnSREBP-1c reversed the negative effect of insulin on transcription from the PEPCK-C gene promoter in WT-IR cells. The more than 10-fold induction of PKA-stimulated PEPCK-C gene transcription caused by the co-activator CBP, was also blocked by SREBP-1c. In addition, dnSREBP-1c reversed the strong negative effect of E1A and NF1 on PKA-stimulated transcription from the PEPCK-C gene promoter. An analysis of the possible site of action of SREBP-1c using stepwise truncations of the PEPCK-C gene promoter indicated that the negative effect of SREBP-1c on transcription is exerted at a site between -355 and -277. We conclude that SREBP-1c is an intermediate in the action of insulin on PEPCK-C gene transcription in the liver and acts by blocking the stimulatory effect cAMP that is mediated via an interaction with cAMP-binding protein.

Elk-1, C/EBPalpha, and Pit-1 confer an insulin-responsive phenotype on prolactin promoter expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells and define the factors required for insulin-increased transcription

The transcription factor(s) that mediate insulin-increased gene transcription are not well defined. These studies use phenotypic conversion of Rat2 and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with transcription factors to identify components required for regulation of prolactin promoter activity and its control by insulin. The pituitary-derived GH4 cells contain all of the transcription factors required for insulin-increased prolactin-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) expression while HeLa cells require only Pit-1, a pituitary-specific factor. However, Rat2 and CHO cells require additional factors. We had determined previously that the transcription factor that mediates insulin-increased prolactin gene expression was likely an Ets-related protein. Elk-1 and Sap-1 were the only Ets-related transcription factors tested as chimeras with LexA DNA-binding domain that were able to mediate insulin-increased expression of a LexA-CAT reporter plasmid. Elk-1 and Sap-1 are expressed in GH4 and HeLa cells but Rat2 and CHO cells express Sap-1, but not Elk-1. Expression of Elk-1 made Rat2 cells (but not CHO cells) insulin responsive. C/EBPalpha also binds to the prolactin promoter at a sequence overlapping the binding site for Elk-1. Expression of both C/EBPalpha and Pit-1 in CHO cells is required for high basal transcription of prolactin-CAT. Expression of Elk-1 converts CHO cells into a phenotype in which prolactin gene expression is increased by insulin treatment. Finally, antisense mediated reduction of Elk-1 in GH4 cells decreased insulin-increased prolactin gene expression and confirmed the requirement for Elk-1 for insulin-increased prolactin gene expression. Thus, both C/EBPalpha and Pit-1 were required for high basal transcription while insulin sensitivity required Elk-1.

Characterization of domains in C/EBPalpha that mediate its constitutive and cAMP-inducible activities

Structure/function analysis of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBP) alpha and beta have shown that they possess both constitutive and cAMP inducible activities. Three regions conserved between C/EBPalpha and beta were identified which lie within the cAMP inducible domains of each protein. Deletion analysis of these conserved regions within C/EBPalpha show that conserved region 2 plays a particularly critical role in mediating the PKA inducible activity of the protein, however, the constitutive activity of conserved region 2 depends on promoter context. This data supports previous findings that constitutive and cAMP responsiveness are mediated by domains of the protein that do not directly overlap, suggesting that they occur through distinct mechanisms.

Elements involved in the regulation of the StAR gene

The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mediates the transfer of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane, the regulated step in steroidogenesis. A most interesting facet of this protein is the manner in which its expression is acutely regulated. In this regard, a number of studies have concentrated on the search for consensus cis regulatory elements within its promoter, and, more importantly, on whether these elements are involved in its expression. This short review will summarize some of the findings that have been reported concerning the nature of how the expression of this gene is regulated.

Il-10 up-regulates macrophage expression of the S100 protein S100A8

The murine calcium binding protein S100A8 (A8) is a leukocyte chemoattractant, but high levels may be protective and scavenge hypochlorite. A8 is induced by LPS, IFN-gamma, and TNF in elicited macrophages. Th2 cytokines generally suppress proinflammatory gene expression, and IL-4 and IL-13 partially decreased A8 induction in macrophages and endothelial cells stimulated by LPS or IFN. In contrast, IL-10 synergized with LPS and IFN to increase mRNA levels > or =9-fold and secreted A8 levels approximately 4-fold. IL-10 decreased the optimal time of mRNA expression induced by LPS from 24 to 8 h. Blocking experiments indicated that endogenous IL-10 contributes to gene induction by LPS. Cooperation between IL-10 and LPS was not due to altered mRNA stability but was dependent on de novo protein synthesis. Transfection analysis with A8 luciferase constructs confirmed that synergy was due to increased transcription. The region of the promoter involved was localized to a 178-bp fragment flanking the transcription start site of the gene. This region was also responsible for the suppressive effects of IL-4 and IL-13. Forskolin, CTP-cAMP, and PGE(2) also enhanced LPS- and IFN-induced A8 mRNA, whereas indomethacin significantly reduced synergy between IL-10 and LPS. Mitogen-activated protein kinase/cyclooxygenase 2/cAMP pathways involving CCAAT-enhancing binding protein, located within the active promoter, may mediate A8 gene up-regulation in a manner mechanistically distinct to genes regulated by IL-10 via the STAT pathway. A8 exhibits pleiotropic effects, and the high levels secreted as a result of IL-10 synergy may regulate untoward inflammatory damage by virtue of its an antioxidant capacity.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha regulation of prostaglandin H synthase-2 transcription is not through nuclear factor-kappaB in amnion-derived AV-3 cells

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-stimulated prostaglandin (PG) E(2)biosynthesis by amnion-derived AV3 cells is accompanied by increased prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS)-2 mRNA expression. PGHS-1 mRNA expression is unchanged. PGHS-2 promoter-reporter constructs (-891/+9 and 5' deletions thereof) were prepared. The regions containing concensus nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) elements (-447/-438 and -222/-213) did not enhance promoter activity. Elements associated with both basal and TNF-alpha-stimulated expression lie between bases -52 and -203. Site-directed mutagenesis of nuclear factor of interleukin-6 (NF-IL6) and cyclic AMP response elements (CREs) in this region reduced both basal and induced transcriptional activity of the -203/+9 construct by over 95 per cent. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays using oligonucleotides derived from these sites demonstrated formation of specific DNA-protein complexes. Both NF-IL6 and CRE unlabelled oligonucleotides inhibited complex formation with the NF-IL6 oligonucleotide probe. Unlabelled CRE oligonucleotide also effectively inhibited formation of the complex with the CRE probe, but reduced effectiveness was observed when the NF-IL6 oligonucleotide was the competitor. Finally, unlabelled, consensus NF-kappaB oligonucleotide failed to compete for either probe. TNF-alpha treatment did not increase levels of these complexes. Thus NF-kappaB does not enhance basal or TNF-alpha-responsive PGHS-2 transcription in amnion-derived AV-3 cells. A permissive role for NF-IL6/CRE binding proteins in regulating PGHS-2 expression in these cells is indicated, but requires further clarification.

Isolation and characterization of the promoter region of the rat vasopressin V1b receptor gene

Regulation of pituitary vasopressin V1b receptors plays a critical role in regulating pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion during adaptation to stress. The objective of this study was to isolate the promoter regulatory region of the V1b receptor gene to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in V1b receptor regulation. Screening of a rat genomic library using probes directed to the coding region and to the 5'UTR of the rat V1b receptor resulted in the isolation of several clones containing the 5'upstream regions of the V1b receptor cDNA. Sequencing of an 11.2 Kb fragment revealed 8.2 Kb upsteam of the reported cDNA sequence, which contains a putative promoter regulatory region. The 3' end of the clone contained 1472 base pairs corresponding to the recognized cDNA sequence, followed by 1506 bp of unknown sequence located at the end of the sixth transmembrane domain, probably corresponding to an intron, characteristic of these family of receptors. An additional 161 bp intron was found in the 5'UTR, similar to that described in the rat oxytocin receptor gene. 5'RACE and RNase protection analysis mapped two major putative transcription start points at -830 and -861 bp from the starting methionine. Analysis of the putative promoter region showed no indication of a proximal TATA box, but the presence of a CACA box, a GAGA box, several AP-1 and AP-2 sites and a cluster of Sp1 sites upstream of the AP-2 sites. A luciferase construct containing a 2.1-kb of putative promoter, and part of the 5'UTR including the first intron, showed promoter activity when transfected into COS-7, CHO and PC12 cell lines but not in AtT-20 cells. A similar construct without the intron and distal 5'UTR sequence has no promoter activity in the same cell lines. In summary, the V1b receptor gene contains at least 3 exons and 2 introns. The 5'flanking sequence contains several potential sites for transcriptional regulation, and induced luciferace activity only in constructs containing intron 1, suggesting that the latter is important for receptor gene activation. The data provide bases for future analysis of the regulatory elements controlling V1b receptor transcription.

What is a cAMP response unit?

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is the rate-limiting enzyme of gluconeogenesis, and most, if not all, of the regulation of its activity is exerted at the level of gene expression, with transcriptional regulation being the most predominant. A number of hormones regulate transcription of this gene, but in a defined, tissue-specific fashion. For example, cAMP strongly induces PEPCK gene transcription in liver, but provides only a weak response in kidney. Results from a number of different studies indicate that cAMP responsiveness of this gene is mediated by a 'cAMP response unit' (CRU), consisting of five cis-elements. All five sequences are required for maximal responsiveness and, potentially, four of these are binding sites for a CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP). Since alpha- and beta-isoforms of C/EBP are liver-enriched, this may provide the molecular basis for the liver-specific responsiveness to cAMP. A curiosity of this promoter is that one of the cis-elements present in the CRU is a cAMP response element (CRE), which typically acts as a binding site for CRE binding protein (CREB). However, the non-consensus CRE in the PEPCK promoter also binds C/EBP proteins with high affinity, and C/EBPalpha can functionally substitute for CREB in this cAMP response unit while C/EBPbeta cannot. The available data suggest that the PEPCK promoter can exist in altered states of cAMP responsivity, depending on which transcription factors occupy specific cis-elements in the CRU.

Hormonal regulation of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene. Role of specific CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein isoforms

The CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP) is a transcription factor that trans-activates a number of metabolically important genes. Previous work has demonstrated that C/EBPalpha and C/EBPbeta have the potential to mediate the cAMP responsiveness of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in liver cells. However, these studies used GAL4 fusion proteins and artificial promoter-reporter gene vectors in transfection experiments; as a result, these studies only indicated that both isoforms had the potential to mediate the hormonal response and not which isoform actually participated in vivo. To address this issue, we produced hepatoma cell lines that stably expressed either a dominant negative inhibitor or antisense RNA for these two main liver C/EBP isoforms. Inhibition of all C/EBP isoforms via expression of the dominant negative protein eliminated cAMP responsiveness, and reduced glucocorticoid responsiveness, of the endogenous PEPCK gene in hepatoma cells. Antisense directed against C/EBPalpha mRNA, which reduced C/EBPalpha protein levels by nearly 80%, also significantly reduced the cAMP responsiveness of the endogenous PEPCK promoter, whereas antisense directed against C/EBPbeta was without effect. There was no major alteration in cAMP signaling in the C/EBPalpha antisense cells, as cAMP induction of the C/EBPbeta gene was similar to that in wild-type H4IIE cells. These data suggest that the alpha-isoform of C/EBP is specifically utilized for mediating the cAMP responsiveness of the PEPCK gene.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins are mediators in the protein kinase A-dependent activation of the decidual prolactin promoter

In the course of decidualization, human endometrial stromal cells (ESC) activate the alternative upstream promoter of the decidual prolactin (dPRL) gene. The dPRL promoter is induced by the protein kinase A pathway in a delayed fashion via the region -332/-270 which contains two overlapping consensus binding sequences, B and D, for CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP). Here we show that sites B and D both bind C/EBPbeta and -delta from ESC nuclear extracts. When decidualization of cultured ESC was induced by treatment with 8-Br-cAMP, complex formation on sites B and D was enhanced. Western blot analysis revealed an elevation of both C/EBPbeta isoforms, liver-enriched activator protein and liver-enriched inhibitory protein, with a delayed onset between 8 and 24 h of cAMP treatment, while C/EBPdelta expression remained unaffected. Cyclic AMP-mediated activation of dPRL promoter construct dPRL-332/luc3 was abrogated by mutation of sites B and D at -310/-285. An expression vector for liver-enriched activator protein potently induced transcription of dPRL-332/luc3 and further enhanced cAMP-mediated induction, while liver-enriched inhibitory protein expression vector abolished the cAMP response, implying that C/EBPs serve as mediators in the delayed cAMP signal transduction to the dPRL promoter. The ratio between activating and repressing isoforms is likely to dictate the transcriptional output.

Identification of a novel transcriptional regulatory element within the promoter region of the keratinocyte growth factor gene that mediates inducibility to cyclic AMP

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) plays a critical role for the normal development and morphogenesis of many different tissues and organs. Furthermore, its expression is induced during wound healing and in various chronic inflammatory diseases. To determine the molecular mechanisms which regulate KGF gene induction at the transcriptional level, we carried out in vitro studies using the human KGF promoter. We have identified a novel regulatory element, TGAGGTCAG, located between -39 and -46 bp (relative to the transcription start site) in the KGF basal promoter region, which binds to inducible transcription factors as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. When cloned in front of a heterologous SV40 promoter this region conferred inducibility to forskolin, a stimulator of adenylate cyclase. In contrast, various mutated forms of this region were either partially or completely impaired in their ability to mediate induction to forskolin. The TGAGGTCAG sequence shared homology to both the cAMP responsive element (CRE) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) consensus binding sites. An oligonucleotide comprising a consensus CRE binding site partially competed for the nuclear protein binding to the TGAGGTCAG site. Gel mobility supershift assays indicated that two members of the activating transcription factor (ATF) family of CRE binding proteins, ATF1 and ATF2, were part of the nuclear protein complex bound to this regulatory region. Furthermore, purified recombinant ATF2 was able to directly recognize and bind the TGAGGTCAG sequence. In contrast, no evidence was obtained for C/EBP transcription factors being part of the complex. These results suggest that members of the ATF family are involved in mediating the transcriptional regulation of the KGF gene in response to extracellular stimuli via a novel CRE regulatory element.

Transcriptional regulation of the StAR gene

The steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein regulates the rate-limiting step of steroidogenesis. In steroidogenic tissues, the StAR gene is regulated acutely by trophic hormone through a cAMP second messenger pathway. Thus, the gene encoding StAR must be finely regulated so that it is expressed in steroidogenic tissues at the proper time in development, and must be rapidly induced in response to cAMP stimulation. We have summarized the available information concerning the regulation of StAR mRNA levels including promoter mapping and transactivation studies. We also discuss the various transcription factors which have been implicated in the regulation of the StAR gene thus far, and propose models of how StAR transcription may be regulated.

CREB binding protein coordinates the function of multiple transcription factors including nuclear factor I to regulate phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) gene transcription

Nuclear factor I (NFI) binds to a region of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (PEPCK) gene promoter adjacent to the cAMP regulatory element (CRE) and inhibits the induction of transcription from the gene promoter caused by the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A. In vivo footprinting studies demonstrated that both the CRE and the NFI-binding site are occupied by transcription factors, regardless of the presence of factors that stimulate (dibutyryl cAMP or dexamethasone) or inhibit (insulin) transcription from the PEPCK gene promoter. The NFI effects on transcription from the PEPCK gene promoter were observed even in the absence of the NFI binding site, suggesting the possibility of other weaker binding sites on the promoter or an interaction of NFI with a transcriptional co-activator. A mammalian two-hybrid system was used to demonstrate direct interaction between the transactivation domain of NFI-C and the CREB binding domain of the CREB-binding protein (CBP). Overexpression of a gene fragment encoding the CREB binding domain of CBP stimulates transcription from the PEPCK gene promoter. The inhibitory effect of NFI on transcription of the PEPCK gene induced by the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A appears to be the result of an interaction between NFI and the CREB-binding protein in which NFI competes with CREB for binding to the CREB-binding site on CBP. In contrast, glucocorticoids and thyroid hormone use the steroid hormone receptor binding domain of CBP to stimulate transcription from the PEPCK gene promoter. NFI-A combines with dexamethasone or thyroid hormone in an additive manner to stimulate PEPCK gene transcription. We conclude that CBP coordinates the action of the multiple factors known to control transcription of the PEPCK gene.

Role of CCAAT enhancer-binding protein beta in the thyroid hormone and cAMP induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene transcription

Transcription of the gene for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is stimulated by thyroid hormone (T3) and cAMP. Two DNA elements in the PEPCK promoter are required for T3 responsiveness including a thyroid hormone response element and a binding site called P3(I) for the CCAAT enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP). Both the alpha and beta isoforms of C/EBP are highly expressed in the liver. C/EBPalpha contributes to the liver-specific expression and cAMP responsiveness of the PEPCK gene. In this study, we examined the ability of C/EBPbeta when bound to the P3(I) site to regulate PEPCK gene expression. We report that C/EBPbeta can stimulate basal expression and participate in the induction of PEPCK gene transcription by T3 and cAMP. The cAMP-responsive element-binding protein and AP1 proteins that contribute to the induction by cAMP are not involved in the stimulation by T3. A small region of the transactivation domain of C/EBPbeta is sufficient for the stimulation of basal expression and cAMP responsiveness. Our results suggest that C/EBPalpha and C/EBPbeta are functionally interchangeable when bound to the P3(I) site of the PEPCK promoter.

Activation of haptoglobin gene expression by cAMP involves CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein isoforms in intestinal epithelial cells

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) isoforms are expressed in rodent intestine and in the rat intestinal epithelial cell line IEC-6 but their role remains to be determined. Treatment of IEC-6 cells with the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin led to coordinate induction of C/EBP isoforms alpha, beta and delta at the mRNA and protein levels. Transient transfection assays showed that their expression is controlled at the transcriptional level. Forskolin treatment induced haptoglobin mRNA levels. Electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays demonstrated an increase in DNA-binding activities of the three C/EBP isoforms to the haptoA and haptoC C/EBP DNA-binding sites of the proximal haptoglobin promoter. Site-specific mutations of both sites led to a decrease in transcriptional induction by forskolin, suggesting that C/EBP isoforms are involved in the cAMP-dependent regulation of the acute-phase protein gene haptoglobin in intestinal epithelial cells.