Prolonged Activation of cAMP-response Element-binding Protein and ATF-2 Needed for Nicotine-triggered Elevation of Tyrosine Hydroxylase Gene Transcription in PC12 Cells

Abstract

Phosphorylation (P-) of cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) by protein kinase A or mitogen-activated protein kinases was implicated in mediating the increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene expression after prolonged exposure to nicotine in vivo and in cell culture. We examined the time course and signaling pathways for phosphorylation of CREB and possible involvement of ATF-2. Treatment of PC12 cells with 200 M nicotine triggered rapid but transient elevation of P-CREB followed by a second sustained rise after 2-5 h of continuous nicotine. In contrast, ERK1/2 was only phosphorylated with short term nicotine exposure. MEK inhibitor U0126 abolished nicotine-induced rise in P-ERK1/2, but not P-CREB, nor did it inhibit nicotine-evoked elevation in TH promoter activity, indicating that ERK1/2 was not needed for induction of TH gene expression by nicotine. In contrast, protein kinase A inhibitor H-89 or Ca 2؉ / calmodulin-activated protein kinase inhibitor KN-93 reduced the nicotine-triggered rise in P-CREB and TH promoter activity. There was a delayed elevation of P-ATF-2 after 1 h of nicotine treatment, accompanied by increased ATF-2 protein. Upstream kinase JNK, but not p38, was phosphorylated especially after 5 min to 2 h of nicotine exposure. To examine the requirement for CREB and ATF-2, cells were transfected with dominant negative forms of ATF-2 or CREB. Both reduced the basal TH promoter activity and the response to nicotine. Knockdown of ATF-2 or CREB with siRNA did not alter basal TH promoter activity or mRNA but greatly attenuated the response to nicotine. The results suggest that both ATF-2 and CREB mediate activation of TH gene transcription by nicotine.Administration of nicotine in vivo and in cell culture triggers increased expression of a number of genes related to neurosecretion including the catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes. These changes in gene expression may be involved in neurochemical and cardiovascular effects of smoking. Nicotine is a potent sympathomimetic agent, and its administration, in doses similar to those obtained in smoking, increases heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in humans and many animal species (for review, see Ref. 1). These cardiovascular effects are largely attributed to the direct stimulation of release of catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine, from the adrenal medulla and peripheral sympathetic nerve endings (2-4). In this regard a polymorphism in the gene for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), 2 the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis, has been associated with tobacco use (5).Transcriptional mechanisms are at least partially responsible for the nicotine triggered changes in TH gene expression. The response of TH to nicotine has been proposed to be mediated by CREB. Nicotine treatment both in vivo and in vitro induces phosphorylation of CREB (6 -8).The cAMP/calcium response element (CRE/CaRE) in the TH promoter is required for its transcriptional activation by nicotine in PC12 cells (6). CREB is activated through the phosphor...

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