CREB-independent regulation by CBP is a novel mechanism of human growth hormone gene expression

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Abstract

Hypothalamic growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulates growth hormone (GH) gene expression in anterior pituitary somatotrophs by binding to the GHRH receptor, a G-protein–coupled transmembrane receptor, and by mediating a cAMP-mediated protein kinase A (PKA) signal-transduction pathway. Two nonclassical cAMP-response element motifs (CGTCA) are located at nucleotides –187/–183 (distal cAMP-response element; dCRE) and –99/–95 (proximal cAMP-response element; pCRE) of the human GH promoter and are required for cAMP responsiveness, along with the pituitary-specific transcription factor Pit-1 (official nomenclature, POU1F1). Although a role for cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) in GH stimulation by PKA has been suggested, it is unclear how the effect may be mediated. CREB binding protein (CBP) is a nuclear cofactor named for its ability to bind CREB. However, CBP also binds other nuclear proteins. We determined that CBP interacts with Pit-1 and is a cofactor for Pit-1–dependent activation of the human GH promoter. This pathway appears to be independent of CREB, with CPB being the likely target of phosphorylation by PKA.

Authors

Laurie E. Cohen, Yukiko Hashimoto, Kerstin Zanger, Fredric Wondisford, Sally Radovick