Inducible cyclic AMP early repressor protein in rat pinealocytes: a highly sensitive natural reporter for regulated gene transcription.
Rhythmic activity of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) determines melatonin synthesis in rat pineal gland. The transcriptional regulation of AANAT involves the activating and inhibiting transcription factors of the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-signaling pathway, cAMP response element-binding protein and inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER), respectively. Activation of this pathway is centered around norepinephrine, stimulating beta(1)-adrenergic receptors, but various other transmitters can modulate melatonin biosynthesis. To compare the transcriptional impact of norepinephrine with that of other neurotransmitters on melatonin synthesis, we determined ICER protein levels in pinealocytes and, in parallel, hormone secretion. The dose-dependent inductions of ICER protein by norepinephrine, the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol, vasoactive intestinal peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, and adenosine are correlated to regulatory dynamics in melatonin production. Importantly, ICER protein induction required lower ligand concentrations than the induction of melatonin biosynthesis. Although neuropeptide Y, glutamate, and vasopressin altered norepinephrine-stimulated hormone production without affecting ICER levels, the activation of voltage-gated cation channels increased ICER without affecting hormone synthesis. Sensitivity and versatility of ICER induction in pinealocytes make these neuroendocrine cells a valuable model system in which to study molecular interactions determining a regulated gene expression.
Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie, Institute for Anatomy II, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Pfeffer
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Maronde
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Molina
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Korf
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Stehle
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000241:Adenosine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D051786:Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018342:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism
C495403:Adcyap1 protein, rat; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D018342:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D051786:Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D008550:Melatonin; D000241:Adenosine; D000109:Acetylcholine