title: Calcium-dependent activation of TNF family gene expression by Ca2+/calmodulin kinase type IV/Gr and calcineurin.
abstract: CD40 ligand (L), FasL, and TNF-alpha are members of the TNF family of cytokines. All are expressed by T lymphocytes shortly after activation but have distinct effector functions. Transcription of these genes can be induced by stimulation of T cells by calcium ionophore alone and requires the calcineurin-dependent transcription factor NF of activated T cells. We have examined a second calcium-dependent signaling pathway, mediated by calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV) in transcriptional activation of TNF family genes. In reporter gene assays using constructs driven by the promoters of human CD40L, FasL, or TNF-alpha along with vectors expressing constitutively active CaMKIV and calcineurin, we have demonstrated that each promoter is activated by calcineurin and CaMKIV in a synergistic fashion. Furthermore, specific inhibition of CaMKIV by chemical means and by a dominant negative mutant of CaMKIV impairs the ionomycin-induced activity of all three promoters as well as protein expression of CD40L and TNF-alpha. Our results indicate that activation of gene expression by calcineurin and CaMKIV is common to members of the TNF cytokine family.
authors.affiliation: Yale Child Health Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Lobo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zanjani
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Chatila
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Fuleihan
mesh_terms: D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D019703:Calcineurin / Q000502:physiology*; D054734:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 4; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism