Transcriptional regulation of neuronal genes and its effect on neural functions: cumulative mRNA expression of PACAP and BDNF genes controlled by calcium and cAMP signals in neurons.
Although it is widely accepted that an activity-dependent gene transcription is induced by the calcium (Ca(2+)) signals in neurons, it is still unclear how the particular mRNA moieties are transiently accumulated in response to synaptic transmission that evokes multiple intracellular signals including Ca(2+) and cAMP ones. Promoters of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the pituitary adenylate cyclase-ativating polypeptide (PACAP) can commonly be activated through the cAMP-responsive element (CRE), to which the CRE-binding protein (CREB) predominantly bound. The activation of BDNF gene promoter I and III (BDNF-PI and -PIII, respectively) was mediated not only by the CREB but also by the upstream stimulatory factor, whereas that of PACAP gene promoter (PACAP-P) was mediated by only one CRE located at around -200. The PACAP-P was synergistically enhanced by Ca(2+) and cAMP signals through the CRE, whereas the BDNF-PI did not show such a synergistic activation upon the stimulation with both signals. In addition, we found that the half-lives of PACAP and BDNF mRNA were prolonged by the Ca(2+) influx into neurons but not that of Arc mRNA, indicating an activity-dependent stabilization of particular mRNA species in neurons. Thus, the activity-dependent gene expression is co-ordinately controlled by Ca(2+) and cAMP signals not only at the transcriptional level but also at the post-transcriptional level for the cumulative mRNA expression in neurons.
Fukuchi
Mamoru
M
Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Tabuchi
Akiko
A
Tsuda
Masaaki
M
D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000235:genetics*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D020218:Response Elements / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
C495401:ADCYAP1 protein, human; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D002118:Calcium