CREB-dependent Nur77 induction following depolarization in PC12 cells and neurons is modulated by MEF2 transcription factors

J Neurochem. 2010 Feb;112(4):1065-73. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.06521.x. Epub 2009 Dec 3.

Abstract

Expression of the nuclear orphan receptor gene Nur77 in neuronal cells is induced by activity-dependent increases in intracellular Ca2+ ions. Ca2+ responsiveness of the Nur77 gene has been attributed to two distinct DNA regulatory regions that recruit the transcription factors cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2). Here we used dominant interfering and constitutively active mutants of CREB and MEF2 proteins to assess their relative contribution to depolarization-induced Nur77 expression in undifferentiated PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons. We show that while CREB is necessary for Ca2+-activated Nur77 expression MEF2 functions to modulate CREB-dependent Nur77 expression by acting as a repressor in quiescent cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CREB-Binding Protein / genetics
  • CREB-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Humans
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors
  • Mice
  • Mutation / physiology
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / genetics
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / metabolism*
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1 / genetics
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1 / metabolism*
  • PC12 Cells / drug effects
  • PC12 Cells / metabolism
  • Potassium Chloride / pharmacology
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Rats
  • Time Factors
  • Transfection / methods

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Cyclosporine
  • CREB-Binding Protein
  • Calcium