Elevation of cyclic AMP in Jurkat T-cells provokes distinct transcriptional responses through the protein kinase A (PKA) and exchange protein activated by cyclic AMP (EPAC) pathways

Exp Cell Res. 2005 Sep 10;309(1):161-73. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2005.05.016.

Abstract

Elevating cyclic AMP with a combination of forskolin and IBMX (Fskn/IBMX) was found as the cause of G1 growth arrest in Jurkat T-cells, concomitant with an induction of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27Kip1. The protein kinase inhibitor H-89, which can discriminate between EPAC and PKA pathways, blocked the inhibition in cell growth and induction of p27Kip1, indicating an involvement of PKA, but not EPAC. The EPAC-specific cyclic AMP analogue, 8-CPT-2Me-cAMP was able to activate Rap1, but failed to induce growth arrest or induction p27Kip1. These results demonstrate that PKA, and not EPAC, mediates cyclic AMP-dependent growth arrest in Jurkat T-cells. To further investigate a role for EPAC in these cells, we carried out cDNA microarray analysis of cells stimulated with 8-CPT-2Me-cAMP. We identified separate groups of genes whose expression was either induced or repressed in response to 8-CPT-2Me-cAMP. This provides the first demonstration that EPAC can regulate gene expression, although it may not be involved in cell cycle control. Finally, we identify c-Jun as a transcription factor whose activity is specifically down-regulated following EPAC activation, but not PKA. The control of gene expression by cyclic AMP in Jurkat T-cells therefore requires input from the EPAC signalling cascade.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle / physiology*
  • Cyclic AMP / analogs & derivatives
  • Cyclic AMP / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism*
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • G1 Phase / physiology
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Up-Regulation
  • rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • RAPGEF3 protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins