LEF1/β-catenin complex regulates transcription of the Cav3. 1 calcium channel gene (Cacna1g) in thalamic neurons of the adult brain

MB Wisniewska, K Misztal, W Michowski… - Journal of …, 2010 - Soc Neuroscience
MB Wisniewska, K Misztal, W Michowski, M Szczot, E Purta, W Lesniak, ME Klejman…
Journal of Neuroscience, 2010Soc Neuroscience
β-Catenin, together with LEF1/TCF transcription factors, activates genes involved in the
proliferation and differentiation of neuronal precursor cells. In mature neurons, β-catenin
participates in dendritogenesis and synaptic function as a component of the cadherin cell
adhesion complex. However, the transcriptional activity of β-catenin in these cells remains
elusive. In the present study, we found that in the adult mouse brain, β-catenin and LEF1
accumulate in the nuclei of neurons specifically in the thalamus. The particular …
β-Catenin, together with LEF1/TCF transcription factors, activates genes involved in the proliferation and differentiation of neuronal precursor cells. In mature neurons, β-catenin participates in dendritogenesis and synaptic function as a component of the cadherin cell adhesion complex. However, the transcriptional activity of β-catenin in these cells remains elusive. In the present study, we found that in the adult mouse brain, β-catenin and LEF1 accumulate in the nuclei of neurons specifically in the thalamus. The particular electrophysiological properties of thalamic neurons depend on T-type calcium channels. Cav3.1 is the predominant T-type channel subunit in the thalamus, and we hypothesized that the Cacna1g gene encoding Cav3.1 is a target of the LEF1/β-catenin complex. We demonstrated that the expression of Cacna1g is high in the thalamus and is further increased in thalamic neurons treated in vitro with LiCl or WNT3A, activators of β-catenin. Luciferase reporter assays confirmed that the Cacna1G promoter is activated by LEF1 and β-catenin, and footprinting analysis revealed four LEF1 binding sites in the proximal region of this promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that the Cacna1g proximal promoter is occupied by β-catenin in vivo in the thalamus, but not in the hippocampus. Moreover, WNT3A stimulation enhanced T-type current in cultured thalamic neurons. Together, our data indicate that the LEF1/β-catenin complex regulates transcription of Cacna1g and uncover a novel function for β-catenin in mature neurons. We propose that β-catenin contributes to neuronal excitability not only by a local action at the synapse but also by activating gene expression in thalamic neurons.
Soc Neuroscience