Abstract
Cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) activates transcription of cAMP response element (CRE)-containing promoters following an elevation of intracellular cAMP. Here we show that CREB and the highly related protein ATF-1 are also potent transcription inhibitors. Strikingly, CREB inhibits transcription of multiple activators, whose DNA-binding domains and activation regions are unrelated to one another. Inhibition requires that the CREB dimerization and DNA-binding domains are intact. However, inhibition is not dependent upon the presence of a CRE in the promoter, and does not involve heterodimer formation between CREB and the activator. The ability of an activator protein to inhibit transcription in such a promiscuous fashion has not been previously reported.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Activating Transcription Factors
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Animals
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Binding Sites
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Blood Proteins / genetics
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Blood Proteins / pharmacology
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Cell Line
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Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / chemistry
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Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / genetics
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Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / pharmacology*
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DNA / chemistry
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DNA / metabolism
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Fungal Proteins / genetics
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Gene Expression
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Haplorhini
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Macromolecular Substances
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Plasmids
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Protein Kinases / metabolism
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*
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Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / pharmacology
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Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
Substances
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Activating Transcription Factors
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Blood Proteins
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Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Fungal Proteins
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GAL4 protein, S cerevisiae
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Macromolecular Substances
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
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Transcription Factors
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DNA
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Protein Kinases